Take a look at our newsletter this month.
kormyloortho.com
January 2020
We may not be the only prosthetics and orthotics business in the Treasure Valley, but we’ve got good reason to believe we’re the best. From the moment you walk through the front door and throughout your entire treatment experience and beyond, we at Kormylo-Advanced Prosthetics & Orthotics will work hard to meet all your needs. So, if you find yourself in need of a new prostheses or prosthetic provider, here are five things you can expect when you choose our office. 1. Extraordinary Patient Care At Advanced Prosthetics & Orthotics, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide our patients with superior care and clinical expertise. Both of our locations, in Boise and in Nampa, are certified by the American Board for Certification (ABC ), which means our offices meet the highest possible standards for prosthetic providers. At the same time, our clinicians are all ABC Certified Prosthetists and Orthotists (CPO), who always provide the best care possible for patients in need of our devices. That’s a level of care you’d be hard-pressed to find across the Treasure Valley. 2. A Unique Patient Experience If you’ve been to other clinics before, you’ve probably felt like you were just a number — not a person in need of specialized care. At our offices, we want to have real relationships with our patients . We want you to feel comfortable. At Kormylo, we’ve always been known for excellent patient care, but we’re taking it to the next level in the next season of our business. We are proud to offer things the other guys can’t, like expedited timelines, CPOs who really care, and owner involvement in the process. On top of that, we educate you in every step of the process, including day- to-day living and the financial side of things. 3. A Collaborative Approach to Care Our specialists don’t just hope our treatment plans line up with those of your physician and your physical therapists — we make sure they line up. Our in-office patient care advocate coordinates and monitors all your appointments from 5 Reasons Advanced Prosthetics & Orthotics Is Different And Why That Should Matter to You
day one . So, if you think the process from surgery to recovery is going to be long and complicated, know that with us, it doesn’t have to be. We’ll be there to help at every step.
4. Patient Advocacy At Advanced Prosthetics & Orthotics, we want to be an informational resource for you. We offer complimentary
consultations from both peers and professionals . Do you have a question about what to expect immediately following surgery? Or are you struggling emotionally about the effects an amputation might have on your life? Don’t worry. We can offer our own professional advice for any questions you might have or connect you to other patients who are going through similar situations. In any case, we never want you to feel like you’re struggling alone. 5. Community Involvement Aside from our work in the clinic, we’re also hard at work in the Treasure Valley community. We frequently partner with the Challenged Athlete Foundation (CAF) to help our patient athletes get the devices they need to participate in races or competitions they might be interested in . For example, if an amputee wants to run Spartan races, we partner with CAF to help them do that. Our office doesn’t exist in a bubble — we want to serve the community the best way we can. If there’s one thing you take away from this newsletter, it should be that we’re still here and ready to help you on your journey. If you want information on how to schedule an appointment, check out our website or call us at (208) 377-4024. We are also on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. We hope to see you soon!
–Stephanie McDonald
“If there’s one thing you take away from this newsletter, it should be that we’re still here and ready to help you on your journey.”
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Around 80% of amputees experience some form of phantom limb pain after their surgery. Phantom limb pain (PLP) is any painful sensation that appears to be coming from where an amputated limb used to be. Causes and treatments for PLP vary, and typically, it takes multiple forms of treatment to lessen or get rid of it. If you’ve started experiencing PLP, here are a few treatment options you can ask your physician about. Medications NSAIDs, opioids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, beta blockers, and muscle relaxants have all been shown to lessen PLP if taken in combination with other medications and at various times of the day. That being said, you should always consult a medical professional before you begin taking medications for PLP. Some medications have dangerous side effects, especially when taken at the same time as other medications. Working closely with your physician to find which medications work for you is an absolute must. Massage Massages stimulate the nerves on the residual limbs, which causes the brain to focus on the massaging sensation instead of the PLP. Massages are one of the most common — and effective — forms of treatment for PLP. You can get a massage from a licensed therapist or a friend or family member. You can even massage your residual limb yourself. Massages also relax the muscles and increase blood flow to the residual limb. TENS And How Do I Combat It? WHAT IS PHANTOM LIMB PAIN?
THINKING WITH YOUR GUT
The Amazing Connection Between Your Stomach and Your Brain
While it may seem strange to think about, the human stomach is truly a thing of wonder. Most humans only acknowledge its digestive processes, but the gut plays a much more influential role in our day-to-day lives than simply breaking down food for nutrient production; it is closely connected to our emotional states, as well. Think about it. Have you ever felt butterflies before a date, intestinal pain during moments of stress, or nausea before an important presentation? Have you ever told someone to “follow their gut” before making a big decision? These physical symptoms are not a coincidence; they are known in the scientific world as the gut-brain axis . Your gut is connected to the limbic system, the part of the brain that processes emotions. The brain sends messages to all other organs in your body, so it’s not surprising it communicates with your stomach, too. What is surprising, however, is that the connection goes both ways. Just as your brain can relay information to your gut about excitement and anxiety, your gut can have a direct impact on the way you feel. According to a recent study published by the National Library of Medicine, when a person’s microbiome — the diverse population of good and bad bacteria living in the GI tract — becomes significantly altered or imbalanced, psychological or neurological issues can arise. In response to these emerging findings, dietary approaches and probiotics are being explored to see how well they can modulate a person’s microbiome and address symptoms. While research is still being conducted to determine the extent of the stomach’s influence over emotional and mental states, plenty of evidence proves the connection is real. Your stomach “talks” to you all the time, and, if you didn’t have enough reasons to pay attention to the food you eat, now you have one more thing to keep in mind. If you start thinking a bit more with your gut, your health will thank you for it!
TENS stands for “transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation,” a process used to describe when health care professionals run a low electrical current through pads attached to the end of the residual limb. The effect is similar to that of a massage. The electric currents give the nerves something else to focus on, and this diminishes the PLP.
In any case, PLP is most common immediately following surgery, and the sensation will fade over time. But, while you’re experiencing PLP, these treatments and others can help lessen
the pain. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call our office at (208) 377-4024.
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Exercises for Improving Range of Motion
FOR PEOPLE WITH LOWER EXTREMITY AMPUTATIONS
Improving Hip and Back Flexibility
Getting back to the activities you love after a lower extremity amputation can be tough, but it’s not impossible. Immediately following
Lying flat on your stomach stretches the muscles in your hips and lower back. Keeping these muscles flexible is crucial to maintaining the fullest range of motion of your residual limbs. Try lying in this position, or propped up on your elbows, for 10–20 minutes each day. If you experience discomfort, try cushioning your chest with some pillows. If you can regain your range of motion with these stretches, you’ll be able to start strengthening your residual limbs and improving your overall balance and agility. If you’re doing these stretches properly, you should feel mild tension, but nothing like excruciating pain. Make sure you’re constantly switching positions so your muscles don’t get too stiff. If you have any questions about how to improve your range of motion immediately following surgery, our Certified Prosthetists and Orthotists would be happy to answer any of your questions or guide you to a trained/skilled physical therapist. Give our clinic a call at (208) 377-4024.
surgery, you’ll probably be sitting a lot more than you used to, which can cause
your muscles to tighten up and prevent the full movement of your limbs. Therefore, it’s important to improve your limbs’ range of motion. Here are a few exercises to help you do that. Improving Knee and Ab Flexibility
One of the best positions for improving flexibility in your knee is to be seated in the upright position. If you’re sitting in a wheelchair or on a couch, fully extend your knee on the leg rest or on a cushioned board. To keep your ab muscles flexible, if you have a cane, center it behind your neck, rest it on your shoulders, and then hang your arms over each end of the cane. Slowly twist your body from the waist side to side.
SUDOKU
CLASSIC ROAST CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • • • •
1 chicken, approx. 5–6 lbs
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 large bunch fresh thyme, 20 sprigs removed
1 lemon, halved
1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted 1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced
4 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
Olive oil
DIRECTIONS
1.
Heat oven to 425 F.
2. Rinse chicken inside and out, removing giblets if included. Move to a work surface, pat dry, and liberally season with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with thyme bunch, lemon halves, and garlic head. Brush outside with butter, and then season again. Tie chicken legs together with kitchen string. 3. Meanwhile, in a roasting pan, toss onions and carrots in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and 20 sprigs of thyme. 4. Place the chicken on the vegetables and roast for 1 1/2 hours. 5. Remove from oven, and let stand for 20 minutes covered with foil. 6. Slice and serve with the vegetables.
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175 N. Benjamin Lane Boise, ID 83704 208-377-4024
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1 5 Things That Set Advanced Prosthetics & Orthotics Apart
2 Learn About Your Gut-Brain Axis 2 3 Ways to Decrease Phantom Limb Pain
3 Improving Your Range of Motion 3 Classic Roast Chicken
4 Tell Your Story and Share Your Wisdom
Do You Have a Story to Tell? Share Your Wisdom
The urge to leave behind a legacy is an inherent human instinct. Whether you accomplish this by raising children, building a successful company, or starting a charitable
Even more so, your life experiences can give valuable insights to readers of all ages and circumstances. That’s why biographies and memoirs are such popular genres — reading about real people helps others understand the world and how they can live in it. To get started, pick a theme. Ask yourself these questions, “What message do I want to leave with my readers? What do I want them to feel or understand by reading my words?” From there, select anecdotes that support your theme. Make sure they’re clear and cohesive. Then, write like you would a fictional novel or story. Show, don’t tell, and keep readers invested by having a narrative arc, whether it flows chronologically or jumps back and forth in time. Remember, this is not a time to air dirty laundry; it’s a time to reflect, grow, and share your experiences with the world.
organization, the desire to share your wisdom should not go unfulfilled. If none of these
options work for your lifestyle, writing a memoir may be a good option. A memoir
not only tells your story but also passes on the wisdom you’ve gained from your many experiences and offers a unique perspective to inspire future generations. Writing can be a therapeutic exercise at a time when your life may be changing due to retirement or your kids growing up and leaving the house. And because personal reflection is a natural occurrence with age, writing a memoir can be the perfect way to spend your time. As you gain enough distance from life events to grow useful perspectives, the stage is set for self-discovery and transformation.
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