Take a look at our August newsletter!
physical therapy and rehabilitation
August 2024
3600 Miller Road, Flint, MI 48503 • 810-620-8042 • horizonptflint.com
MOVING AT FULL SPEED TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE SUMMER OF GROWTH
August is a time of transition. As autumn draws near and kids return to school, this is a good turning point to reflect on where we have been and are going. This has been a summer of growth for us, both in our capacity to serve the community and our commitment to educating future professionals in the field. We recently added a new physical therapy assistant to our team, bringing our staff to 12 members. I aim to increase that number by 50% over the next year. I also have begun exploring the possibility of bringing students into our clinic as interns. I was gratified when a young man I have mentored for more than 10 years, Harrison Terry, reached out to me for help gaining the internship he needs to study for a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. I have written in this newsletter about my role as the founder of Flint’s Finest, a nonprofit organization that mentors young athletes into great adults through basketball. That is how I first met Harrison. I asked him to reflect on our relationship. “I have known Dr. Adams since I was in sixth grade,” says Harrison, now 22 years old. “We called him Coach Jerome, and my cousin persuaded me to leave the basketball team I was on and join Flint’s Finest. Dr. Adams treated me for a foot injury and a painful knee condition, and he is the reason I want to become a physical therapist. He is so caring. He helped me see that I like taking care of people. I want to continue in his footsteps and get my own clinic one day.
Dr. Adams has not only been an inspiration to me; he has helped me to become the man I am now. I am becoming a physical therapist because of what he has done for me and the example he has provided.” After completing his 180-hour internship at our clinic, Harrison plans to apply for admission to a
Doctor of Physical Therapy program. I am pleased and flattered that my interactions with him may have shaped his ambitions to enter the field. I hope to encourage more minority candidates to enter the profession. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), only about 2.5% of physical therapists and 3.4% of physical therapy assistants in the U.S. are African-American. That falls far short of the 11.3% of the population as a whole that is of African-American descent. I want our clinic to stand out in the minds of our patients and other community members as a valuable resource. Our clinic staff is diverse, but our identity as the leading Black- owned and operated physical therapy clinic is important to us, and it is important to our community. We want to empower people from all walks of life to benefit from our treatment and to lead an active lifestyle.
earning board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). Only about 6% of all physical therapists in the nation have earned the OCS credential, which qualifies a clinician to treat any orthopedic condition in both surgical and non-surgical contexts. Although this credential is difficult to achieve, one of my longer-term goals is for all our clinicians to be board-certified. This summer has been an amazing ride for me. As I continue this path, these progress markers are all very meaningful to me. And as we move into fall, I wish you all similar experiences of personal progress and growth! -Dr. Jerome Adams
Also, as I continue to pursue my mission of personal growth, I have been working toward
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HERE’S HOW TO FIND OUT — AND GET MORE! Do You Need More Magnesium?
Are you tired or weak with a loss of appetite, vomiting, or nausea? It could be a magnesium deficiency — though, according to the National Library of Medicine, you’re more likely to lack iron. Magnesium deficiencies are rare and most often seen in patients who consume excess alcohol, have certain gastrointestinal conditions, or have diabetes.
The symptoms above may indicate your magnesium levels have dipped too low. If allowed to progress, people will experience problems sleeping, numbness, tingling, muscle contractions
compounds made of minerals that dissolve in water. While there’s not enough data to support the claims that a hot bath with a cup of Epsom salts can raise your magnesium levels, anecdotal evidence suggests it may help. USE HIGH-QUALITY SUPPLEMENTS Unfortunately, some people may not be able to absorb enough magnesium through food or baths and may only find relief through supplements. Remember, talking to your doctor before starting a new regimen is essential to see what’s right for you. While the only way to know for sure if your body might be a little low on this crucial mineral is through a blood test at your doctor’s office, these tips and tricks can help you spot an issue worth bringing to your primary care physician’s attention before it becomes a bigger problem.
or cramps, seizures, personality changes, abnormal heart rhythms, and chest pain.
Luckily, adding this vital mineral back into your body is relatively simple. EAT MORE MAGNESIUM-RICH FOODS The simplest way to get more magnesium is through your diet. A tasty salad filled with your favorite leafy greens, lentils, legumes, and crunchy nuts can pack quite a punch and is easily customizable to your preferences. TAKE A BATH Need an excuse to take more baths? A magnesium deficiency can serve that purpose, though the jury is still out on the science behind those claims. Epsom salts, or magnesium sulfate, are chemical
CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES “From the beginning, the staff has always been welcoming and they make you feel comfortable right from the beginning. They’ve changed my perspective of physical therapy. Thank you for all the
kindness and laughter during my treatment. I would recommend Horizon to anyone seeking therapy.” –Dionna H.
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AID FOR ARTHRITIS TAP INTO THE HEALING POWER OF EXERCISE Arthritis is so common among older adults that it has its own joke book on Amazon: “Arthritis Jokes 101.” (Sample: “My dad doesn’t like it when I talk about his arthritis. He says it’s a sore subject.”) Arthritis is no laughing matter, however, when it keeps you from engaging in the tasks or activities you want to do. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease causing cartilage breakdown and inflammation of the joints, afflicts about 7% of the world’s population. It is a result of numerous risk factors that develop over many years, including joint injury, biomechanics, genetic factors, a patient’s metabolism, and even the microorganisms that live in the digestive tract, according to a peer-reviewed study published in 2022 in the journal Frontiers in Physiology. As researchers gain a greater understanding of arthritis as a systemic disease, physical therapy is emerging as a primary tool for managing it and reducing the toll it takes on sufferers. A supervised exercise program can keep your joints as healthy as possible, helping to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and improve endurance and strength. Exercise strengthens the muscles that support arthritic joints, reducing pain caused by bone-on-bone contact. Exercise also increases oxygen and blood flow around the joints, aiding healing. Stretching and strengthening your muscles improves flexibility and range of motion, making
day-to-day tasks easier. Among activities researchers recommend are lifting dumbbells, squats, thrusts, and various exercises with resistance bands. According to the study in Frontiers in Psychology, “Compelling evidence suggests that regular practice of resistance exercise may prevent and control the development of osteoarthritis, leading to a significant improvement in patients’ quality of life.” For obese patients, physical therapy also can aid in weight reduction, further reducing strain on arthritic joints. No cure exists for arthritis, but an accurate diagnosis by your physician, guided exercise practice with your physical therapist, and a strong home exercise program can dramatically improve your ability to manage and control its damaging effects.
Have a Laugh
Legendary Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
•
4 bell peppers (any color), halved and seeded
• • • • • •
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
• • •
1 lb ground beef 1 onion, diced
1 14-oz can diced tomatoes
1 cup cooked rice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Line a baking dish or baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the bell pepper halves in the baking dish. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat,
4. Stir in chili powder, cumin, diced tomatoes, rice, salt, and pepper. 5. Fill the 8 bell pepper halves with the beef mixture, then top with the shredded cheddar cheese. 6. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.
cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until the beef is browned, then drain excess fat.
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3600 Miller Road Flint, MI 48503
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THIS ISSUE Inside
A Season of Growth and Progress at Horizon PT Flint This Crucial Mineral Can Improve Sleep, Banish Cramps Client Success Stories How Physical Therapy Eases Arthritic Joints Legendary Stuffed Peppers Fun Farmers Market Activities for Families
Exploring the Farmers Market ENJOYABLE ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
SCAVENGING FOR SAMPLES There is no shortage of variety regarding the fruits and vegetables offered at farmers markets. Engaging your family in a scavenger hunt to discover various produce among the local farmers’ stands is a great way to broaden their minds and keep them entertained. Plenty of farmers will offer you and your kids samples of their wares, allowing you to try before you buy. HOMEWARD BOUND After enjoying the farmers market, you may want to take what you learned home. Starting a small garden and growing starter plants with your kids is a great way to bond and create lasting memories. Growing and caring for plants and vegetables is a wonderful experience for children and helps them connect more with nature. Do yourself and your family a favor: Explore the farmers market and discover the flavor of your local area.
This time of year, we harvest fruits and vegetables in abundance, and farmers markets across the country are brimming with locally grown goods. Taking advantage of these wonderful events where local farmers and artisans sell the fruits of their labor is a great way to support local small businesses and explore all your area has to offer. Moreover, it is a perfect opportunity to share some wholesome fun with your family, as there are activities and attractions at farmers markets suitable for all ages. LEARNING FIRSTHAND Your local farmers are a treasure trove of agricultural know-how. Many farmers will happily talk with you or your children about their favorite crop, what’s in season, and their recommendations for recipes that incorporate their produce. It’s a great way to grow your kids’ social skills and get them interested in gardening and farming.
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