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FEBRUARY 2020
847-515-8970 • www.KineticPTS.com
Here’s a local fact some of our readers may not be aware of. Woodstock, the next town over, was a key location used in the comedic classic “Groundhog Day.” A quick trip to the town square will instantly remind you of Bill Murray’s repetitive misadventures in what Hollywood passed off as rural Pennsylvania. Visiting the same streets and gazebo as Murray’s bedraggled fictional weatherman is certainly surreal. To think I could have been in that movie. Believe it or not, the moviemakers came to my high school at the time of filming. They were looking for kids to be extras — mostly townspeople milling about in the background of Murray and Andie MacDowell A REPETITIVE LESSON
their prescribed rehab routines. Much like the star of “Groundhog Day,” you may feel trapped or depressed by your situation. But what’s true in the film is true for you: Repetition is the key to becoming better. For Murray, the key to freedom is becoming a better person. Where he starts out as a selfish, snarky weatherman, reliving Groundhog Day enough times eventually affords him the chance to grow as a person and rehabilitate his relationships with others. Patients meanwhile have physical challenges. They may start out with weakened muscles, reduced mobility, pain, or impaired balance. Adjusting to the repetitive exercises of their rehabilitation can be very tough, but it’s that repetition that helps them grow strong again. I’m not
performances. At the time, teenage Mike’s reaction could be summed up as “Meh, whatever,” so I never took up the casting call. To be fair, no one at that school assembly knew who the stars in the movie were, nor how popular it would go on to be. Come to think of it, “Groundhog Day”
saying sticking to your routine will help you find true love, as Murray did. But this February, you do have the opportunity to literally walk in the star’s footsteps.
Every year, the town of Woodstock puts on a “Groundhog
is perhaps the greatest picture any extra could have been involved in, at least in terms of screen time — the same scenes repeating over and over again would give you plenty of moments to say, “Look, that’s me!” This is all to say that, ironically enough, I wish I could relive that day they put the casting call out. Still, I’m grateful for the movie. While “Groundhog Day” didn’t make me a star, it’s still given me a great way of helping my patients. The film bears some striking parallels to rehab — things to keep in mind when you are struggling through such a difficult process. Rehabilitation can certainly feel like a repetitive loop. It can be painful, boring, and seemingly unending — which is why many people are tempted to give up on
Day Festival” to celebrate the film with tons of events for all ages, from a chili cookoff to the groundhog prognostication itself! If you’ve never had the chance to visit this local landmark, visit WoodstockGroundhog.org and make this year the one! However, if pain and/or immobility are holding you back, don’t worry. We can work with you to make sure you’re ready for when Groundhog Day rolls around all over again.
Here’s to tomorrow,
–Mike Ulmer
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THE SECRET TO LIVING A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE
The human brain is an incredibly powerful organ. It solves complex problems, recalls forgotten memories, and triggers a dizzying array of emotions. But its most incredible power is the effect it can have on the rest of the body. When it comes to love, well, our brains certainly love it, and our bodies reflect that. LESS STRESS Human beings thrive on a sense of connection and belonging, and studies have shown that love actually has positive effects on a person’s physical and mental health. The security and commitment felt in a loving relationship are shown to reduce stress by stunting the production of cortisol, the body’s stress-inducing hormone. Less stress means lower blood pressure, a healthier heart, and a lower risk of stroke, especially in men. HEALTHIER IMMUNE SYSTEMS Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that calm, happy people can fight common colds and the flu more easily than those who are anxious or depressed. The physical benefits of love even go as far as healing wounds quicker. Small injuries inflicted on a wide test group at Ohio State University Medical
Center healed nearly twice as fast on people who experienced consistent warmth and care than those who experienced hostility. In fact, the latter group needed almost a full additional day to achieve the same amount of healing as the first group. LONGER, HAPPIER LIVES Being surrounded by love may even save your life. A statistic from the National Health Interview Survey states that single people face a 58% higher risk of mortality. Further bolstering that claim is the Harvard Health Blog, which claims happily married participants experience better health as they age when compared to peers in unhappy partnerships. In fact, the blog asserts, “People in stressful, unhappy marriages may be worse off than a single person who is surrounded by supportive and caring friends, family, and loved ones.” So, it seems the results are in: Loving someone is a healthy lifestyle choice. Even having a strong network of friends and family boosts your odds of living a long life by 50%. So, get out there and make the healthy choice for yourself and those around you by leading a life full of love.
“Pain in my right arm has diminished 75–85%. Kinetic has given me a new life to live with their wonderful therapy. I have been to other facilities but would say Kinetic is the best by far!”
“My activity level is very good, and I’m very comfortable with the exercises and feel it will be easy to continue on my own. I’ve interacted with the entire staff, and it has been a very pleasant experience.”
–Albert Angelini
–Mary K. Teister
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Laser Therapy Now Available!
We’re excited to announce that our clinic is taking a step toward the future with our latest treatment modality: deep tissue laser therapy. We know, it sounds like something out of Star Trek, doesn’t it? But make no mistake, the research and results behind this cutting-edge technology are very real. After hearing so many personal testimonials from other therapists about the pain relief benefits of these lasers, we knew we had to make the investment to bring this comforting ray of light to Huntley. BRAVE NEW WORLD Naturally, the idea that focused light could relieve pain sounds like something out of a novel by Aldous Huxley or Philip K. Dick. But once you realize the laser itself isn’t soothing the pain directly, but is instead boosting the body’s own ability to mitigate pain, the concept becomes more grounded. Without delving too far into molecular biology, let’s take a look at how this technology actually works. DO MITOCHONDRIA DREAM OF ELECTRIC LIGHT? Mitochondria are the power plants of our cells. They produce the energy our body needs to perform tasks
on the microscopic level: healing damaged cell tissue, managing pain and inflammation, and many other things. Deep tissue lasers make mitochondria even better at accomplishing this task. Photons from the laser’s light are absorbed by these cellular power centers, supercharging them to speed healing and sooth injuries. But what side effects come from this new treatment? SERENITY The best part of laser therapy treatment is how it achieves results without causing harm. Noninvasive and free from habit-forming medications, this new method of pain treatment’s only “side effect” is a soothing, warming sensation as the laser passes over the skin. The light isn’t powerful enough to hurt and is free of the harmful rays that are bad for your skin. Over the course of several 5–10-minute treatments, it’s possible to reduce pain and inflammation caused by a wide variety of issues, including chronic conditions. If you want to experience this latest technology for yourself, give us a call at 847-515-8970!
Sudoku
Valentine’s Day Dog Treats: Cranberry Hearts
Inspired by Pretty Fluffy
INGREDIENTS • 2 large eggs • 1 1/2 cups almond flour • 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries • 3–4 tbsp coconut flour
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 325 F.
2. In a small bowl, beat eggs and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine almond flour, coconut oil, and cranberries. Pour in eggs and mix together with your hands until wet dough forms. 3. Mix in 1 tbsp of coconut flour at a time until dough easily forms into a ball. 4. Roll out dough on floured surface and cut with bite-size, heart-shaped cookie cutters. Transfer to cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. 5. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until treats are crisp. 6. Remove from oven and let treats cool completely before serving.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
847-515-8970 www.KineticPTS.com
11920 Oak Creek Parkway Huntley, IL 60142
INSIDE An Ode to ‘Groundhog Day’ PAGE 1
The Effects of Love on Your Physical Health PAGE 2
My PT Story PAGE 2
Laser Therapy: Science or Sci-Fi? PAGE 3
Valentine’s Day Treats Your Dog Will Love! PAGE 3
Mythical Adventures Await in the Mediterranean PAGE 4
One of the oldest stories in Western literature is Homer’s “The Odyssey.” This epic poem tells the story of Odysseus and his long journey home after the Trojan War. While Odysseus’ travels were fraught with mythical monsters and magic, many of the places he visited are said to be inspired by real islands in the Mediterranean. Even today, travelers flock to these islands looking for peace, adventure, and epic stories of their own. SICILY, ITALY One of the most popular stories in “The Odyssey” is the tale of Odysseus rescuing his crew from Polyphemus, a man- eating Cyclops. It’s said that Polyphemus made his home on what is now modern-day Sicily. Fortunately, there are no Cyclopes in Sicily today; there are only cultural festivals, world- class golf courses, and delicious food. GOZO, MALTA While Odysseus’ journey was perilous, he did enjoy one peaceful stop. Odysseus spent seven years on the mythical island of Ogygia, home of the nymph Calypso. Historians suspect that Ogygia was Gaudos, now modern-day Gozo, Malta. Gozo is home to the Ġgantija temples, which are older than the Egyptian pyramids. In addition to exploring its
archaeological marvels, Gozo’s visitors can also enjoy snorkeling, horseback riding, and other memorable adventures. ITHACA, GREECE If you want to chart your own odyssey, make your final stop Odysseus’ home, the island of Ithaca. Covered in lush greenery and quaint villages, Ithaca is a wonderful place to relax at the end of your trip. Visitors can enjoy their morning coffee by a seaside cafe before lounging on a secluded beach for the rest of the day. It’s no wonder why Odysseus fought so hard to get back to Ithaca! With dozens of other islands to explore, the Mediterranean is the perfect place to plan your own odyssey — minus the mythical monsters, of course.
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