M3 PT - October 2019

Take a look at our newsletter this month!

WEST HILLS 7230 MEDICAL CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 401 WEST HILLS, CA 91307 WEST LOS ANGELES 10474 SANTA MONICA BLVD., SUITE 435 LOS ANGELES, CA 90025

WWW.M3PT.COM / LA · 310.275.4137 / WEST HILLS · 747.888.3562 / OCTOBER 2019

M3 AND ME

MEET THE AIDES KAYLEIGH AND SCOTT SHARE THEIR STORIES

I knew I wanted to do something to help people,” he explains. But when he was younger, Scott thought his career would be in the police force. “My dad’s a cop, and he talked me out of that path eventually,” he says. It wasn’t until his mission trip to Alaska that Scott found his calling. “There was a member of our congregation who was a physical therapist,” Scott recalls of his time in the last frontier. “He steered me in the right direction.” Indeed, the more he learned about the profession, the more Scott found it to be the perfect fit for him. “I realized that this was the field where I could do the most good. ... Physical therapy can visibly change lives for the better,” he says. Attending Cal State, Northridge, strengthened this conviction. There, Scott worked with persons of all ages who have disabilities, guiding them through land and aquatic exercises. “It helped reiterate why I wanted to do this,” he reflects. “I’d rather not have a job that’s just a paycheck at the end of the day.” When he’s not helping patients, you can find Scott doing anything from playing video games to planning his next deep-sea fishing trip. An avid outdoorsman, he also tries to find time to camp and ride ATVs. “I really want to go snowboarding this winter,” he adds. “I didn’t get a chance last year!” We’re incredibly grateful to have these two amazing professionals on our team. Their patient-first mindset is exactly what makes M3 Physical Therapy so special. We wish Kayleigh and Scott all the luck in the world with their education, but until then, we’ll enjoy every minute they spend as a part of our West LA team!

individualized approach to care made us stand out to such a driven young professional. Kayleigh herself plays a big role in making this approach possible. As PT aides, both Kayleigh and Scott are called on to assist therapists and patients however they can — doing everything from washing loads of laundry to helping patients with exercises. “Really we do anything the therapists or staff needs help with. … I’ve learned a lot about effective multitasking,” Kayleigh reflects Outside the clinic, Kayleigh focuses on her own fitness goals. She likes to run and is in the midst of training for a half-marathon. “We’ll see how it goes!” she tells us, modestly. Kayleigh also continues to foster her love of helping others. Through her church, she participates in various aid and volunteer programs throughout the year. MEET SCOTT FLEMING Scott has been a part of the M3 family for more than a year now, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Aiming to be a physical therapist himself one day, he’s a highly motivated aide who deeply cares for the people in his charge. “I really like to see patients progress — get better, improve, and return to their normal lives,” he says, though admitting he often misses those he’s helped. “You spend so long helping these people that you really bond with them.” With such a dedicated attitude, it’s hard to believe Scott didn’t always have the medical field on his radar growing up. “For a long time, with a laugh. “It means that every day is different, which is just the way I like it.”

This month, we’re highlighting two more members of our amazing team. As physical therapy aides, Kayleigh Fugal and Scott Fleming are invaluable to the operations of our West LA clinic. Beyond being expert professionals, both are caring individuals pursuing higher education in medicine. The other therapists and I have deeply enjoyed working with Kayleigh and Scott, and we thought this would be the perfect time to share their stories with you! MEET KAYLEIGH FUGAL While in college, Kayleigh set her sights on her future career path. “I’d always wanted to go into the medical field,” she recalls. “But it wasn’t until I was in undergrad that I realized I wanted to be a physician’s assistant.” Kayleigh came to this realization because she’s found that, more than anything, she enjoys helping people directly. We’ve definitely seen this firsthand at the clinic. As an aspiring medical student, Kayleigh joined our team four months ago, seeking the experience she needs to fulfill her dream. “I had worked at another physical therapy clinic before coming to M3,” she says while explaining that she really enjoys the patient interaction that comes with being a PT aide. In fact, the opportunity to get more of that personalized interaction is part of why she’s on our team! “M3 is unique in the way they interact with patients. We really believe in one-on-one treatment,” Kayleigh observes, adding, “We really take the time to get them the care they need.” We couldn’t be happier that our –Dr. Raul Lona

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BE ALL YOU CAN BEE AND GIVE HONEY A SECOND THOUGHT

The health benefits of raw organic honey, which include soothing sore throats, lowering cholesterol, and treating skin wounds, have been

this natural process, approximately 30% of the world’s crops won’t flourish. Fortunately, you can help strengthen the bee population in a few ways from your own home. First, try to avoid purchasing any commercialized honey products of questionable quality and provenance. Instead, look for raw local honey at a farmer’s market. That way, you can meet the beekeeper to determine if their honey-rendering practices are sustainable. Then, by purchasing their product, you are helping fund their hive and enrich the local bee population. You can also plant a garden full of bee-friendly plants, like honeysuckle, strawberries, sunflowers, and cosmos, to give the bees in your community more pollen sources. Additionally, if you notice dandelions growing in your garden, leave them. They are a great food source for bees, especially in early spring before other plants have started blooming. While honey has many excellent health properties, bees are far more vital to the world’s sustainability. Do your part to help their population by researching, spreading awareness, and thinking before you shop for honey.

embraced by many members of the holistic health community for decades. But with the rapid decline of the bee population in recent years, humans’ use of honey has become more controversial. According to the New York Bee Sanctuary, bees (not just honey- makers) are disappearing for several reasons, but one of the most unfortunate contributors is the honey industry. In order to mass-produce commercial honey products, many factories have resorted to industrialized beekeeping practices, which have been deemed unethical by animal activist groups because they strip hives of their honey storage, starving the bees through the winter months. This practice, along with soil contamination and a viral infection spread by mites, led to the devastating loss of 40% of all bee colonies last year.

Because most bees are pollinators, they play a crucial role in helping plants reproduce. Without the bees playing their part in

WHAT DOES AN AIDE DO? A LOOK AT THESE AMAZING PROFESSIONALS

This month we want to shine a spotlight on Kayleigh and Scott, two of our amazing aides from our West LA clinic. You can read more about their stories on the cover, but some of you may be wondering, “What does a physical therapy aide actually do?” Well, quite a lot. Beyond just assisting with your exercises, these professionals do a great deal behind the scenes to ensure you get the best possible care. KEEP AN EYE ON YOU At M3, we strongly believe you have to move better to feel better. So, a vital role our aides play in the treatment process is observing how you walk, sit, stretch, and shift your body. It may sound simple, but this process requires a deep understanding of the human body. Often, by simply watching the way you move and identifying areas where your range of motion is lacking, an aide can find the most effective exercises for your condition. TALK IT OUT Communication is an essential part of our aides’ duties. Not only will they work with you and your family to explain any at-home exercise regimens your therapist may have assigned, they’ll also be communicating your progress to your therapist. In many

ways, it’s their job to bridge the gap between complex medical terminology and practical understanding. It’s thanks to the constant communication between all the members of our team that we can provide every patient with truly personalized care. PLAN AHEAD This is where keen observation and constant communication pays off — an expert aide can make all the difference when planning your ongoing treatment. While your therapist will be primarily in charge of this process, they’ll always take into account any notes an aide may have from their interactions with you. Through this collaboration, you can rest assured that your unique needs and goals are being factored into your treatment.

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BACK ON THE ROAD PREVENT PAIN BEHIND THE WHEEL

Whether you’re stuck in LA traffic or road tripping to a relative’s house for the holidays, driving can be a pain in your back. Everything from the shear stress of commuting in the big city to the bumps and shudders of the open road certainly don’t help you feel any better — but the actual source of your pain is something else entirely. Chances are your aching back is the result of how you’re seated behind the wheel. AN IDLE PROBLEM In general, back pain is an incredibly common side effect of modern life. Most of us spend our day seated at a desk all day, only to get in our car to head home and be couch potatoes in front of the TV. Without the right posture or back support, these marathon sitting sessions can place unnecessary stress on your neck, shoulders, and lower body. While office chairs and even home furniture are growing more ergonomic to prevent this, the driver’s seat remains a significant obstacle. ROAD WEARY Unlike other sitting situations, driving presents some unique challenges. You can’t have your feet firmly

planted on the ground, which interferes with your posture. Furthermore, the need to keep your eyes on the road, including checking your mirrors and blind spots, can make it difficult to focus on how you’re sitting. That said, you can use a few tricks to make long drives more comfortable. SHIFTING GEARS Make the following adjustments for a more comfortable drive: • Adjust Your Seat: You should be able to reach the pedals and steering wheel while keeping your tailbone close to the seatback. Your head should be touching the center of the headrest, and the backrest should be slightly reclined at an angle of 100–110 degrees. • Adjust Your Mirrors: From your new seated position, ensure your mirrors are aligned so you can check them easily. You want to minimize head movement and neck strain while checking for cars behind you. • Use Those Rest Stops: While not always possible during traffic jams, taking a break from driving is important. Taking time to pull over and stretch during long rides can prevent back pain from becoming unbearable.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED FRUIT This super easy and fun way to create homemade treats provides your kids with a healthier and more delicious alternative to packaged industrial candy. As a bonus, making it is an awesome Halloween activity for your family to enjoy.

TAKE A BREAK

INGREDIENTS

• 1 package melting chocolate • Assorted dried fruit, including apricots and mangoes

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large saucepan, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. 2. Place a large, heatproof mixing bowl on top of saucepan so that no steam can escape. Place melting chocolate in mixing bowl and double boil until melted. 3. Dip half of each piece of fruit in chocolate before transferring to a parchment-lined baking sheet to rest. 4. Let cool for 10 minutes until chocolate solidifies. 5. Place in school lunches, serve at parties, and indulge in a few for yourself.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

Meet Kayleigh and Scott

2

Be All You Can Bee

2

What Does an Aide Do?

3

Is Traffic the Cause of Your Back Pain?

3

Chocolate-Dipped Fruit

4

The Real Legend of Sleepy Hollow

FORMERLY KNOWN AS WILSHIRE LINDEN PHYSICAL THERAPY — SAME TEAM, NEW NAME!

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS IN SLEEPY HOLLOW HAYRIDES AND HEADLESS HORSEMEN 

In 1790, a school teacher named Ichabod Crane was riding home alone from a harvest festival in the village of Sleepy Hollow when he encountered a mysterious rider on horseback. Crane, horrified by the horseman’s missing head, turned and ran in the opposite direction. The Headless Horseman gave chase, hurling his own decapitated head at the terrified teacher. Ichabod Crane was never heard from again ... or so goes “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving. This story, first published in 1820, has become a Halloween favorite. The legend is so beloved that in 1997, the village of North Tarrytown, New York, where many events of the story take place, officially changed its name to Sleepy Hollow. Today, the town becomes one big Halloween party during the month of October. Sleepy Hollow is home to many historic landmarks, including the Headless Horseman Bridge and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where Washington Irving himself was laid to rest. Evening lantern tours of the cemetery are a popular attraction, and Irving isn’t the only spooky celebrity buried there. Fans of the Gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows” will be delighted to enter the crypt of famed vampire Barnabas Collins.

Another highly anticipated stop for many guests is Sleepy Hollow’s premier annual attraction, Horseman’s Hollow, an experience not for the faint of heart. During the event, the 300-year-old Philipsburg Manor is transformed into a living nightmare, where vampires, witches, ghouls, and undead soldiers lurk in the shadows. They all serve the dreaded Headless Horseman and are determined to make sure guests don’t leave alive! But it’s not all scares in Sleepy Hollow. There’s plenty of Halloween fun for all ages. Sleepy Hollow boasts relaxing hayrides, tours of Irving’s home, live readings of famous Halloween stories, performances of a brand-new musical based on Irving’s spooky tale, and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, an incredible exhibition of over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins.

If you want a real Halloween experience, you can’t go wrong in Sleepy Hollow. Just be careful not to lose your head!

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