Check out our January newsletter!
JANUARY 2022
847-515-8970 • www.KineticPTS.com
COLORADO, HERE WE COME! Hockey, Skiing, and a Party — We’re Doing It All
“When they asked me to go, my first reaction was, ‘Are you kidding? I’ve never been skiing, I’m from Illinois!’ But they wore me down until I packed my bags.”
A few months ago, my wife Emilie and I got a great piece of news: A hockey team from Littleton, Colorado, has joined our son Nathan’s hockey conference, and we’re invited out for a game on Jan. 15! A lot of the other hockey parents groaned about this — Colorado isn’t exactly close, after all — but we were excited for four main reasons.
trip. When they asked me to go, my first reaction was, “Are you kidding? I’ve never been skiing, I’m from Illinois!” But they wore me down until I packed my bags. We stayed at a lodge for the week, and I had a ski lesson every morning, then practiced on the mountain in the afternoons. By the end of it, I loved skiing! If we’d only gone for a day or two, I might never have gotten into the sport, but after zooming down the slopes seven days in a row, the moves stuck with me, and I was hooked. Emilie isn’t a huge fan of downhill skiing. In fact, she hates it! I got her to strap on skis at Colorado’s Keystone Ski Resort once, and afterward, she said, “Never again.” As a PT, all she can picture are the injuries and months of rehabilitation a crash on the slopes can cause. That said, we still taught our boys to ski. Nathan was actually on his middle school ski club as well as the hockey team, but the hills they ski on in Wisconsin are nothing compared to the mountains at Keystone. He and Zach are just as excited as I am to hit the slopes there.
While we ski with the other snow- loving parents and kids, Emilie and the less adventurous crowd will hang out in the lodge. She’s already told me that reading a book and drinking coffee sounds a lot more fun to her than hurtling down the mountain. I’ll make it up to her with a great birthday party. The hotel we’re staying in does have a kitchen, but I’ve promised not to attempt any pies this year! I’ll take a trip to the grocery store instead and save us all from the fire alarms. As I write this, the big ski trip is just a few weeks away. I’ve been looking forward to it for months! If you’re reading this, cross your fingers for me that Emilie’s fears of the slopes won’t come true. If they do, you might need to rehab me this spring rather than the other way around.
1. Emilie’s family lives just
half an hour from Littleton in Parker, Colorado. They’ll finally have the opportunity to see Nathan play! 2. The game falls on a three-day weekend, so we can sneak in some extra family time. 3. Emilie’s birthday happens to be on that weekend, too. That means we can celebrate it with her parents, sister, and cousins for the first time in years.
4. There’s no better time or
place to ski than Colorado in January, and the game will take us right to the heart of the Rocky Mountains. I’ve been a big fan of skiing since college, when a couple of friends invited me on a seven-day ski
Here’s to an adventure-filled 2022!
–Mike Ulmer
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3 BENEFITS OF STRETCHING
IMPROVED BALANCE AND POSTURE Strong posture and balance are essential for both everyday activities and athletic
We’ve all been advised to stretch before working out or performing physical activities. However, some recent studies have cautioned against this practice, claiming it may lead to an increased chance of getting injured. Regardless, this does not mean you should cut stretching out of your life completely. Stretching is not just for athletes. Everyone can benefit from this practice, and there are many advantages that come with improving your flexibility. Getting in the habit of stretching after you wake up and before you go to bed can benefit many aspects of your overall health.
performance. Good posture is necessary for spine health,
and you need good balance to do everything from walking down the street to standing and sitting. The flexibility gained through stretching improves the muscles that are needed for correct posture, and you will also increase your range of motion. RELAXATION AND REDUCED PAIN There are also certain stretches that help lengthen and open your muscles. When your muscles are looser and relaxed, you’re less likely to feel pain or experience muscle cramps. Stretching can work wonders for people suffering from lower back pain. This pain is often caused by tight muscles, and stretching will loosen them and relieve that pain. Stretching can also help your mind loosen up and unwind, which will relieve stress and improve your mood.
Here are our top three benefits!
REDUCED RISK OF INJURY If your muscles are tight and you start working out, your chance of injury increases. Stretching helps to loosen your muscles and allows them to move easier. This still does not mean you should stretch right before working out, but by creating a routine where you stretch in the morning or at night (or both!), your muscles will stay looser, helping prevent muscle strains and tears.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS Getting Confidence Back
“I can now walk pain free and even went bowling after 20 years! This was the first time for PT and I am so glad to have tried it. I’ve had a consistent severe pain in my right leg and buttocks, especially
“This is my second positive experience at Kinetic Physical Therapy Specialists. When I arrived here my pain level in my right leg and while in bed and while driving was a 10. Now I enjoy a full night’s sleep with no pain. Emery was very encouraging. —Sandra M.
noticeable when walking or rising from a chair. Amanda’s care through PT has been wonderful and it has freed me from the pain except for an occasional modest discomfort. Thank you Amanda! —Paul Clark
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WANT TO STAVE OFF ILLNESS IN 2022? EAT MORE DARK CHOCOLATE!
Cancer, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s all have something crucial in common: You can reduce your risk of succumbing to them by eating more antioxidants. Antioxidants are basically your body’s knights in shining armor. They’re compounds that protect your cells from free radicals — unstable and highly reactive molecules that cause damage linked to aging and disease. That’s not even the best news, though. Antioxidants are also delicious!
strawberries, goji berries, and raspberries.
and walnuts once a week. Or you can even whip up a green smoothie for a snack! The “Berry Green Smoothie” recipe from Cooking Light (CookingLight. com/Recipes/Berry-Green- Smoothie) is a great example. It’s packed with berries, spinach, and orange juice sweetened with a banana and some Greek yogurt. Toss nuts, dark chocolate chips, then add granola on top, and you’ll cover all of your antioxidant bases. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to eat enough dark chocolate, beans, and berries to halt aging altogether. But you can make sure your golden years are longer and healthier by introducing more antioxidant-rich foods into your diet. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your keys and head to the grocery store!
A Norwegian study of more than 3,100 foods, beverages, spices, herbs, and supplements found plant-based foods have higher antioxidant values than meat and dairy products. Dried amla berries, Japanese green tea powder, vitamin C tablets, and the herbal liquid “sangre de grado” were the highest per gram, but coffee, black tea, amalaki powder, and other berries also ranked highly. You don’t have to become a vegetarian or vegan to get the health benefits of antioxidants. You can reap their rewards by adding more dark chocolate, berries, nuts, and vegetables into your current diet. Try swapping your lunchtime sandwich for a leafy green salad with sliced strawberries
According to Healthline, dark chocolate, pecans, kale, artichokes, red
cabbage, beans, beets, and spinach are all good sources of antioxidants. So are tasty fruits like blueberries,
Sudoku
Chicken With Lemon Herb Sauce
INGREDIENTS • 1/3 cup and 2 tbsp olive oil, divided • 4 boneless chicken breasts • 1 clove of garlic, minced • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/2 cup parsley, chopped • 1/3 cup mint, chopped
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be bland with this citrusy chicken!
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 450 F. 2. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. 3. Season chicken with salt and pepper if desired and sear it in the skillet for 3 minutes on each side. Bake chicken until its internal temperature is 165 F. 4. In a blender, add 1/3 cup olive oil, garlic, salt, parsley, mint, pepper, and lemon zest and juice and blend ingredients until coarsely mixed. 5. Top chicken with sauce and serve!
• 1 1/2 tsp pepper • 1 lemon, for juice and zest
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Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
847-515-8970 www.KineticPTS.com
11920 Oak Creek Parkway Huntley, IL 60142
INSIDE
The Ulmers Hit the Colorado Slopes PAGE 1
Get Stretching! PAGE 2
Patient Testimonials: Getting Confidence Back PAGE 2
Antioxidant-Rich Foods You Should Be Eating PAGE 3
Chicken With Lemon Herb Sauce PAGE 3
Why Do Your Ears Pop on Flights? PAGE 4
Airplane Ears THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR EARS POPPING ON FLIGHTS
When it comes to flying on an airplane, you can avoid cramped legs by upgrading to first class or catch a view by picking the window seat. However, there’s no getting around your ears popping during takeoff and landing. Believe it or not, there is a scientific explanation behind this common annoyance. As you read this, you’re likely not on an airplane, and the air pressure on either side of your eardrums is equal. Air is currently passing right on through your eustachian tube, a narrow passage that leads from your middle ear cavity to your pharynx and allows for pressure to be equalized on each side of your eardrums. When you’re in flight on an airplane, air pressure is not equal. During both ascent and descent, your eardrums stretch to try to adapt to the changes. In order to equalize the pressure, your eustachian tube needs to open and close. When it does, your ears pop! Usually, the ear popping is irritating but nothing more. However, in rare cases, the pressure can lead to ear pain and even loss in hearing, especially if your ears don’t pop.
In this case, you may need to make an effort to get your eustachian tube to open by yawning, talking, or swallowing. Sucking on a piece of candy, swallowing some water, or chewing gum may also help! One of the best things you can do is make sure you are not
sleeping as the airplane takes off or lands because your eustachian tube isn’t able to open and close normally. If you commonly struggle with congestion or sore ears on flights, taking a nasal decongestant before you board may ensure that your eustachian tube is not blocked. If your hearing and ears do not return to normal shortly after the flight, be sure to schedule an appointment to see your health care professional as soon as possible.
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