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OCTOBER 2025
847-515-8970 • KineticPTS.com
Recovery Is Scary, But Giving Up Is Scarier The Real Fear This October? Never Getting Better.
This time of year, people love talking about fear. Haunted houses, creepy clowns, and things that go bump in the night. But in my world of physical therapy, I see a different kind of fear every day. It’s not spiders or skeletons that my patients are scared of. It’s the
I work out three days a week in the clinic, two days a week in the pool, and do daily home exercises. Every stretch, rep, and swim is about taking back control. For me, it’s been a cocktail of hope, grit, and consistency. And still, it’s slow — frustratingly slow.
sinking worry: “What if I never get better?” And you know what? I get it. I really get it, because I’m right there with you.
But that’s the thing: Recovery isn’t linear. Some weeks, you make big strides. Other weeks, you’re fighting just to stay mentally in the game. Progress
Earlier this year, I shattered my leg in a skiing accident. It was bad — surgery, metal hardware, and months of being non-weight- bearing. And even though I’m a physical therapist, even though I know how the body heals and what the process looks like … the
starts looking like small victories: “Hey, I couldn’t do that stretch last week, and now I can.” And you build from there.
I remind myself, and my patients, that recovery is like watching grass grow. It seems invisible day to day, but over time, it adds up. Most take six months to a year after surgery to recover. Mine? Maybe two. But I’m not quitting. Yes, there are days when I doubt myself. Yes, sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever feel “normal” again. But then I remember: My only job is to control what I can control. And that means showing up, doing the work, and believing that things will improve. So if you’re scared you won’t get better, trust me, you’re not alone. You’re not weak. And you’re not done. You just need time, effort, and a whole lot of hope. So keep showing up. Keep doing your stretches. Keep choosing hope.
fear hit me hard. Suddenly, I became the patient I’ve treated so many times. I knew the road to recovery would be long, but nothing quite prepares you for hearing
your doctor say, “You may never be the same.” That’s a gut-punch. It fills your head with questions. Will I walk normally again? Will I do the things I love? What if the doctor’s right and I’ll never be the same? I’ve always understood my patients’ fears on a professional level. I’ve walked dozens of patients through these fears over the years. I’ve coached, encouraged, and believed in their ability to bounce back. But now, being on the other side of the table, I understand that fear in a whole new way. When it’s your body … that fear isn’t just theoretical. It’s real. So, what do you do when your doctor tells you, “You might not ever get back to 100%”? You can either give up or fight. I chose to fight. If I can’t get to 100%, I’m aiming for 99.9%. I’m putting in the work, day after day.
We’ll get there together.
–Mike Ulmer
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Desk Job? Don’t Settle
Healthy Habits to Fight Deskbound Blues
Staying healthy and fit can be a challenge when your job requires you to sit at a desk most of the time. A growing share of Americans spend their workdays at a computer, and as many as 70% of them eventually develop neck, back, or shoulder pain or problems with obesity. Research shows
your monitor slightly below eye level. Notice when your gaze drifts downward and your shoulders become rounded, and correct your posture by lifting the top of your head toward the ceiling. Adjust your keyboard so your wrists are level and relaxed when typing to allay wrist and arm strain.
fingers. Stretch one arm over your head, lean to the opposite side, then switch arms and repeat. DESIGN YOUR SPACE Creating a pleasing, well-organized workspace can help motivate you to stick to healthy habits. Use colors and materials that feel inviting and comfortable. Choose desk items and organizing tools that help you keep your work surface tidy and clear. Add plants, decorative objects, or wall art that inspires or uplifts you, and display objects that spark pleasant thoughts, such as family photos. Use natural light whenever possible, or a full-spectrum light that is close to daylight. Taken together, these subtle changes can help you maintain your health and well-being, without missing a beat at work!
that embracing healthy habits can help you avoid those harmful effects. Here are a few to try. MASTER
GET UP AND STRETCH Break away from your desk and walk around for a few minutes every hour, if possible. Do gentle stretches to relax your back and neck. Loosen your upper back muscles by
ERGONOMICS Following good
ergonomic practices can prevent neck and shoulder pain. Choose a chair that provides lumbar support. Adjust the height of your chair and monitor until you can sit in a relaxed, erect posture with your feet flat on the floor and the top of
bending your chin toward your chest and rolling it gently from side to side. Relax your neck by holding your hands behind your head with fingers intertwined and pushing back gently against your
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS Getting Confidence Back
“I thought I’d never walk correctly, then came Emery. After my knee replacement surgery, there
“Mandie aka “Elastigirl” was so patient with me and helped release my semi-frozen shoulder more each visit. This has been a long road, but with people like Mandie, my issue has been resolved. I appreciate all she has provided. God bless Kinetic! Happy Valentine’s Day!”
were days when I thought I’d never walk correctly again. However, that was before Emery came
into my life. He was firm when he had to be, yet compassionate on days I really hurt. Now I feel confident I will be working in my flower garden this spring! Thank you Emery!” – Patricia Colomer
– Thomas Piotrowski
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YOU DESERVE RELIEF THAT DOESN’T COME IN A PILL BOTTLE Move Beyond Chronic Pain and Find Lasting Relief
If you’ve been living with chronic pain, you know it’s more than just an annoyance. It’s exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes even isolating. The worst part? Many people feel like their only option is to rely on pain medications that only offer temporary relief, come with side effects, or worse, put them at risk for dependency. But there’s another way . Physical therapy can naturally reduce your pain by treating the root cause, restoring your body’s function, and helping you confidently move through life. PHYSICAL THERAPY VS. PAIN PILLS Over-the-counter painkillers may dull the ache, and opioids can numb it altogether, but neither one fixes the problem. Long-term use of pain medication can damage your body and your quality of life. Physical therapy is different. It improves how your muscles, joints, and nervous system function to give you long-term relief. Whether it’s your back, knees, neck, or shoulders, the goal is always the same: get you stronger, get you moving, and get you better. MOVEMENT THAT HEALS Your body was made to move, but when pain limits that movement, muscles weaken and joints become
less stable. Our physical therapists help you break that cycle. With targeted exercises, hands-on techniques, and treatments like massage, heat, cold therapy, ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), we can help you relieve pain and restore your range of motion. FIGHT INFLAMMATION NATURALLY Did you know physical therapy can also help reduce inflammation? Gentle movement boosts circulation, helping your body remove the chemical buildup that causes swelling and pain. Even moderate exercise, done consistently and safely, activates your body’s natural pain-fighting systems. The more your body heals, the more pain-free movement becomes your new normal. YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE WITH PAIN Chronic pain can feel like a life sentence, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right plan, guided by professionals who truly care, you can get back to doing what you love without relying on medication. Contact our team today to schedule your appointment and discover how physical therapy can help you live with less pain and more freedom.
Sudoku
Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew
Inspired by EatYourselfSkinny.com
This delicious dish will keep your family warm, full, and happy as the weather cools down.
INGREDIENTS • 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 bay leaves • 1/2 tsp turmeric • 1/4 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1/2 tsp salt • Fresh parsley
• 2 cups green lentils, rinsed • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large pot over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil for about 3 minutes. 2. Add all other ingredients except for salt and parsley. 3. Turn the heat to high until it is boiling, then reduce it to low and allow to simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked through. 4. Remove pot from heat and stir in salt. Top with parsley and enjoy!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
847-515-8970 KineticPTS.com
11920 Oak Creek Parkway Huntley, IL 60142
INSIDE
The Real Fears in Physical Therapy and How We Face Them PAGE 1 Smart Moves for Staying Healthy at Your Desk PAGE 2 Patient Testimonials: Getting Confidence Back PAGE 2 Tired of Hurting? Here’s the Drug-Free Way to Heal PAGE 3
Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew PAGE 3
Wicked Wanderlust PAGE 4
BOURBON BONE-CHILLERS If you want to add Southern charm to your Halloween chills, a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, is in order. From above-ground cemeteries and ghost tours to ghoulishly adorned shops in the French Quarter (including the must-visit Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo on Bourbon Street) and an annual Halloween parade, The Big Easy will surely put you in touch with your spooky side. DETOUR TO DRACULA’S DEN From the classic 1922 film “Nosferatu” to the Francis Ford Coppola-directed cinematic masterpiece “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” that premiered 70 years later, our cultural interest in vampires has spanned decades — and, in the case of Transylvania, Romania, centuries . Anyone with a passport and a desire to catch a glimpse at the real-world aesthetic that helped define the image of Dracula and other distinctive undead characters should visit Bran Castle, an amazing monument of Gothic architecture and the long-rumored residence of infamous 15th century-era prince and mass murderer Vlad the Impaler — widely believed to be the real-life inspiration behind the Dracula character. While many of the legends associated with Transylvania may be more fiction than fact, the locale remains the go-to spot for anyone with an affinity for apparitions.
If your idea of fun seasonal travel is touring a spooky castle in October rather than hitting a sandy beach in July, here are three vacation ideas that will take your Halloween fun to spine-tingling new heights this year! WHERE WITCHES WANDER When it comes to Halloween-themed adventures, no other place on the East Coast offers more macabre merriment than Salem, Massachusetts. Known for its infamous witch trials of the late 1690s, the city transforms its dark past into a destination that balances historical facts with tongue-in-cheek kitsch. The weeks leading up to Oct. 31 are filled with more magic shows, tours, special events, and Halloween- themed shopping opportunities than you can shake a broom at. If you decide to partake in the area’s devilish fun this year, visit the Salem Witch Board Museum — which boasts the world’s most extensive Ouija board collection — and the Salem Witch Museum. Haunted Horizons A HALLOWEEN TRAVEL TRIO
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