CALDWELL 1906 Fairview Ave., Ste. 410 Caldwell, ID 83605 208-454-9839 NAMPA - SOUTHSIDE 3151 E. Greenhurst Rd. Nampa, ID 83686 208-465-9418 THE ASCENT NAMPA - MIDLAND 130 S. Midland Blvd. Nampa, ID 83686 208-461-5057
FEBRUARY 2019
CREATING A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT HOW WE ENCOURAGE THE NEXT GENERATION OF PTS
At our clinics, you might see some new faces shadowing our physical therapists. They are our student interns. They come to us from schools in Caldwell, Phoenix, Omaha, and even Florida to learn from our team at Altitude PT. We see it as part of our job to train the next generation of physical therapists. We started this program at Altitude PT because we wanted to give back and support education in our field. If you’re going to be a good PT, you need to do an internship along with classes. In addition, teaching the students keeps us sharp and up to date with recent research being taught in school. When we’re continually teaching, we’re continually learning, and that makes us a better practice. Over the course of the year, a few students will intern with us each quarter. We work with students in physical therapist programs and physical therapist assistant programs. In order to complete a physical therapy program, students must have at least one inpatient clinical
experience and one outpatient experience, and our program fulfills the outpatient requirement. “WE SEE IT AS PART OF OUR JOB TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION We work with these students in all phases of learning, which requires some flexibility. Sometimes it’s their first clinical phase, which requires a lot of supervision on our part. Other students come to us during their last affiliation. They’re chomping at the bit and ready to roll into their practice, so we can loosen up the reins a bit. The interns are here for variable amounts of time depending on their program and OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS. ”
specialty. Some are here for as little as six weeks, and others are here for 12–16 weeks.
A lot of our patients enjoy being part of this learning environment. As we teach, we have conversations with our students, and our patients gain insight into their conditions and how to treat them. It provides education for everyone. It’s always exciting to meet our interns. Each one is unique and has their own personality, motivations, and dreams. But they all have one thing in common: They’re passionate and eager to learn about physical therapy. Their passion makes it a joy to share our knowledge and skills with them. Next time you visit us, feel free to say hello to our interns. They may not know it off the bat, but they sure are lucky to be interning at a practice with such incredible patients. –Sean Weatherston
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Why You Should Pick Up That Controller GAMING WITH YOUR KIDS
Dan uses hands-on activities to help patients feel better, and have fun. “We do a lot of fun activities, and that helps,” Dan says. “When you do something fun, you’re less likely to feel pain.” Dan shows patients games like balloon tennis and has them practice shooting targets with Nerf guns to help them regain mobility. “We have almost any sport available. Patients are often surprised that they really enjoy balloon tennis. I probably use this activity the most — there’s a lot of rotation that’s good for the back and shoulders. Plus, it’s fun.” After a fun day at work, Dan enjoys spending time with his family. Of course, fitness is a big part of his lifestyle. He does crossfit and other workouts on his own. He’s also a runner and enjoys an occasional half-marathon. We’re so glad to have a fun and passionate PTA like Dan on our team. Thanks for all you do for our patients and our team. video games can have many positive effects on a child, from encouraging critical thinking and social skills to imparting the value of perseverance. Beyond these life skills, video games can also be a way for you to better connect with your child. As game designer and New York Times bestselling author Jane McGonigal, Ph.D., writes, “Games make it easy to build stronger social bonds with our friends and family. Studies show that we like and trust someone better after we play a game with them — even if they beat us.” FIND THE RIGHT GAME Finding the right game to play with your child can be a challenge. Regardless of what platform your child plays on, there’s a nearly inexhaustible list of games to choose from, and some are more child-friendly than others. At the very least, research the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s (ESRB) rating of a game to make sure its content is age-appropriate.
When choosing a game, it’s a good idea to keep your child’s interests in mind. Do they enjoy creating things? Games like “Minecraft,” “Super Mario Maker,” and “Scribblenauts Remix” can act as a great sandbox for you and your child’s imaginations to run wild. Does your child love to solve puzzles? “Snail Bob 2,” “Snipperclips,” and “Portal 2” will have you and your child thinking outside the box for hours. Want to engage in a little friendly competition? “Mario Kart,” “FIFA,” and “Bam Fu” are all excellent choices. GOING BEYOND SCREEN TIME Whether you pick up a controller yourself or just watch your children play games, the most supportive thing you can do as a parent is reinforce the skills they are learning. Understanding that the same creativity and determination that gets them to the end of a level can be applied in the real world is be a powerful thing for a child’s development.
Video games are present in an increasing number of American households. The Entertainment Software Association found that in 2018, 70 percent of parents reported that games were a positive activity in their children’s lives, and 67 percent even play alongside their child at least once a week. Some of you may already be regularly gaming with your kids, but for the rest of you, here are some things to keep in mind. WHY GAMING TOGETHER MATTERS Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, and UC Berkeley have shown that
DAN SHARES HOW PT CHANGES LIVES
Dan at Circus Trix!
As a physical therapy assistant, Dan enjoys helping people get better. “That’s what led me here in the first place,” he says. Originally from Montana, service in the Air Force brought Dan to Idaho, and the mountains kept him here. Before pursuing physical therapy, Dan was an athletic trainer. After his service, he earned his bachelor’s degree in athletic training at BSU. While he enjoyed working with athletes, he realized he wanted to focus more on the recovery process. That led him to pursue a degree as a physical therapy assistant, and ultimately brought him to Altitude PT. patient improve, and see that improvement, it’s very rewarding to know you were a big part of it,” Dan says of his role. “We have patients who come in thinking there’s no way they can get better,” Dan says. “Then we help them do it. I’m so happy when we can help them see what’s possible. It’s life-changing.” Being part of a patient’s transformation is what Dan loves about his job. “When you help a
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RELIEVE YOUR BACK PAIN
CONSIDER SAFE MOVEMENT FOR RECOVERY
This time of year, you might experience flare- ups in certain areas of your body. Our bodies tell us when something’s not right or we’ve pushed too hard by sending signals to our nerves, resulting in physical pain. This is especially true when combining the cold with activities we don’t regularly do, like shoveling snow. If you’re noticing back pain this winter, there are some things you can try before thinking of invasive treatments like surgery. While it may be tempting to call it quits on physical activity and just plop down in front of your favorite Netflix show, more and more doctors are recommending you don’t do that. Medical research shows that back pain responds better to gentle movement than to bed rest. As musculoskeletal expert Dr. Chris Maher describes, “What we’ve learned is that most tissues recover more quickly from injury or trauma if they’re gently loaded [used].”
pain flares up, you might try a restorative yoga class or going on a few short walks. Movement may make a world of difference in managing your pain, partially because the endorphins you stimulate during exercise help you feel better. Resting between exercises can be helpful, but keep it to short breaks instead of putting yourself on bed rest. Addressing back pain through physical therapy can also be a helpful way to lessen the frequency of future flare-ups. Physical therapists show you how to modify everyday movements to reduce pain and relieve pressure on your back, and give you exercises you can do at home. Turn to your trusty PTs at Altitude for back pain relief. One other way to address your back pain? Our FREE Back Pain Workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 19. We’ll talk about ways to treat back pain and how you can find relief. Give us a call at the number on the bottom of the newsletter for more information. We look forward to seeing you here!
The information here is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and in no way should be taken to be the provision or practice of physical therapy, medical, or professional health care advice or services. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes without talking to a medical professional.
Maher’s advice is backed up by other experts. Instead of going straight to bed when your back
TAKE A BREAK
SPICY SALMON TARTARE
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
• • • • •
1 8-ounce boneless, skinless salmon fillet
1. Place salmon in freezer for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. 2. Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients for mixing. 3. Thinly slice salmon into sheets
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon lime zest
1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and finely diced 1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced 1 1/2 teaspoons shallots, minced 3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chives, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons grapeseed or vegetable oil Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
and cut sheets into strips and strips into cubes. When finished, you should have 1/8-inch cubes.
• •
4. In a mixing bowl, combine salmon with all other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with chips or crackers and serve.
• • • • •
Crackers or chips, for serving
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Inspired by Epicurious
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1906 Fairview Ave., Ste. 410 Caldwell, ID 83605
208-454-9839 www.altitudept.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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The Value of an Education Why Parents Should Play Video Games Meet Our PTA, Dan! Strategies for Relieving Your Back Pain Spicy Salmon Tartare Why Do We Need a Leap Year?
WHY DO WE NEED A LEAP YEAR?
THE CALCULATIONS THAT LEAVE US IN NEED OF AN EXTRA DAY
Every four years, February gains an extra day at the end of the month. But what does this contribute to the year as a whole? You might be surprised by what this one day does for us! The 365 days in each year represent the time it takes for the Earth to circle the sun. However, the orbit actually takes nearly a quarter of a day longer than that. The additional 0.2421 of a day might not seem like it would make a significant impact, but after a few decades, it adds up. To ensure the calendar and seasons stay on the right timeline, the leap day was created. The Egyptians were the first to officially calculate how many days it takes to orbit the sun, revealing the need for a leap year. Europeans at the time used a calendar that followed a lunar model, which needed an entire month added to retain consistency. The leap year wasn’t introduced into Europe until the reign of Julius Caesar. With the THE START OF THE LEAP YEAR
help of astronomer Sosigenes, Caesar created the Julian Calendar, which included 12 months and 365 days, with a single day added every fourth year. However, the Julian Calendar wasn’t perfect, because 0.2421 of a day can’t be rounded to a multiple of five, so it caused the calendar to have an extra 11 minutes every four years. Pope Gregory XIII fixed the problem in 1582 by creating the Gregorian Calendar. Now, a leap year occurs every four years except for the years that are evenly divisible by 100 and not 400. For instance, 1800 and 1900 were not leap years because they were divisible by 100.
receive their driver’s license. Although it varies from state to state, most consider March 1 the appropriate day for leap-year 16-year-olds — who are celebrating their fourth “official” birthday — to receive their license. With all the changes the calendar has undergone, it still isn’t quite perfect. Experts say that in about 10,000 years, it will need to be changed yet again.
A LEAP DAY BIRTHDAY
The odds of being born on Feb. 29 are about 1 in 1,500, which leaves approximately 187,000 people in the U.S. and 4 million people around the world celebrating their birthdays on Feb. 28 or March 1. People born on a Leap Day are faced with dilemmas such as which date they should
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