Take a look at our April newsletter!
physical therapy and rehabilitation
April 2025
3600 Miller Road, Flint, MI 48503 • 810-620-8042 • horizonptflint.com
Why Prioritizing Your Health Pays the Best Returns LIFELONG REWARDS
As people prepare for tax day on April 15, many look at how well their investments have performed. My focus on investing is different. In my experience, investing in your health yields a better long-term return than any other asset. That truth was driven home to me after COVID-19 hit in 2020. That was a stressful time, as the government constantly changed the rules. I had to lay people off, which was extremely stressful. That was also the first time in my life when I didn’t have youth basketball. Since I started Flint’s Finest in 2008, I had been going, going, going, growing the organization from one to seven teams — without ever taking a break. My health paid the price. By 2020, I had reached my heaviest weight ever, 270 lbs. That was when I sat down and realized I needed to figure out why this was happening. I have always been
intrigued by what makes people successful, and I found an inspirational guy — a self-made man — on YouTube who told stories about himself and his personal development. At that point, my whole journey of self-discovery and self- improvement began. I decided to try intermittent fasting, where you eat only during certain windows of the day. I had been eating three meals daily and snacks between and at night. First, I got rid of all the snacks and ate only three times a day. The next step was to eliminate breakfast. And by the end of the first week, I had dropped 10 pounds! I went from 270 to 260 in one week. I took off three or four pounds the next week and two or three pounds the week after. And the best part? I wasn’t starving myself; I was just learning when I was hungry and when I wasn’t. Then, I decided to start tweaking other things. I had a test for vitamin deficiencies at SpectraCell Laboratories. I took the vitamins they recommended, and my health got even better. At one point, my doctor told me my blood pressure was high and threatened to put me on medication. I did some research on nutrient deficiencies and increased my Vitamin D and potassium. My blood pressure went back into the normal range. The next time I saw my doctor, my cholesterol was borderline high, and he talked about putting me on statins. I did more research and learned
that some B vitamins drive the breakdown of cholesterol. I began taking B complex vitamins, and the next time I went to the doctor, my cholesterol was normal. That was last year, and at that point, my doctor was saying, “Hey man, you are in better health than you were 10 years ago!” “Well, what else do you want me to fix?” I asked him. He didn’t even have a challenge to throw at me; I had set my own goal. My blood sugar had been slightly elevated, and I’m hoping to hear him say, “Hey, Dr. Adams, your blood sugar is normal this year!” I hope that my personal story demonstrates the importance of doubling down on your health. I want to give a shout-out to my vitamin provider, a company called Thorne. (If you are interested, just text our office. We will add you to the client list, and you can receive vitamins from the same source I use.) It is important to consider your health an investment. Research has shown that the people who live the longest keep moving and pay attention to their health. Investing in my health has made a difference for me. It feels great to say I’m in my best health in years. As Tax Day comes around this year, I wish you the same! -Dr. Jerome Adams
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ARE SUGAR SUBSTITUTES WORTH THE TRADEOFF?
Know the Facts About Artificial Sweeteners
The U.S. market for soda is worth over $200 billion, fueled by the average American’s annual consumption of nearly 40 gallons of soft drinks — including diet soda. While staying hydrated is good, sending lots of chemical sweeteners into our digestive tracts may not be. Concern for serious health issues started in the early 1970s when scientists linked cyclamate and saccharine, popular synthetic sweeteners, to cancer. Congress banned cyclamate but wouldn’t ban saccharine. More recent studies determined that obesity is related to many types of cancer, and obese people are more likely to consume lots of diet soda. Similarly, high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes are more likely due to underlying health issues like excessive weight than consuming artificial sweeteners. In the last decade, more natural sugar alternatives have become available, like stevia, agave, monk fruit, and allulose. Diet soda manufacturers have yet to incorporate these into
their soft drinks, but they are experimenting. The Coca- Cola Company uses stevia along with erythritol (another new sugar substitute) in its Vitamin Water Zero. Artificial sweeteners do provide some benefits, including fewer cavities, lower blood sugar, and less weight gain. However, some people still suffer side effects from drinking diet soda. The sugar alcohols in diet sodas are linked to intestinal distress, and one scientist points to a potential link between laboratory-created sweeteners and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The importance of our stomach’s microbiome is new to science, and all impacts are under intense scrutiny. Sugar-free beverages may be a better choice than sugar- infused drinks because they don’t cause insulin spikes, but the Mayo Clinic warns that frequent consumption of any type of sweetened drink can become habit-forming, making it hard to return to drinking plain water, which is the optimal choice for health. As with most food trends, we should be informed, listen to our bodies, and make wise choices about what we drink and eat.
CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES
“Coming to Horizon PT has been the best decision I have ever made concerning my physical health. From the moment I walked in, I knew I would be cared for well. I am in awe of my results. Dr. Jerome Adams and his staff are simply amazing! Not only is everyone warm and friendly, but the detailed care and time they invest in each and every patient, including myself, is superior. Thank you, Dr. Adams; it is because of your vast knowledge, skill, and know-how that my quality of life is so much better now. I am sincerely grateful. Special shout out to Austin. If you’re in need of physical therapy, look no further. Try Horizon Physical Therapy; it will transform your life in the best ways. You will not regret it!” –Yasha S.
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How Physical Therapy Improves Quality of Life From Pain to Peak Performance
Many people think about physical therapy as something they must do after having surgery. But physical therapy is much more. The range of therapies your physical therapist can provide has expanded dramatically. It is important to see a physical therapist to speed up your post-surgical recovery. But in some cases, physical therapy can eliminate the need for surgery by strengthening muscles around strained joints or building up muscles to take the strain off injuries. Here are a few other ways physical therapy can improve your quality of life. REDUCE PAIN A physical therapist can help you ease pain using natural healing methods. Massage, stretching, and therapeutic exercise can all help relieve acute and chronic pain without opioids. Our doctors are also skilled at helping patients overcome the fear of movement, or kinesiophobia, that often interferes with healing. Physical therapy can be especially helpful to the 1 in 5 Americans with
arthritis because it reduces inflammation and helps restore mobility in the affected joints. IMPROVED BALANCE Injuries and aging often interfere with people’s ability to maintain balance and proprioception — their sense of where their bodies are in relation to their surroundings. This sharply increases the likelihood of falling, the leading cause of injury in adults 65 and over. A physical therapist can help at-risk patients improve their coordination, overall stability, vestibular functioning, and sense of spatial orientation in the inner ear. These professionals are trained in the specific exercises and practice maneuvers that will restore the body’s natural ability in all these areas. TREAT NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS People’s ability to move and function normally is sharply impaired by nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke. Physical therapists can help slow the advance of these health impairments
by encouraging patients to undertake gait and balance training and other exercises. Physical therapy is linked in research to significant improvements in patients’ flexibility, balance, and endurance. If you are interested in improving your overall fitness, quality of life, or ability to function, contact us today for an assessment. We will be happy to help you develop and maintain your physical abilities to the fullest!
Have a Laugh
Inspired by AllRecipes.com Low-Sugar, No-Bake Cheesecake
Ingredients
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3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
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1 1/2 cup milk
3 tbsp butter, melted
1 (1 oz package) sugar-free cheesecake- flavored instant pudding mix 2 pints fresh strawberries, sliced
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 8 oz cream cheese, softened
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Directions
1. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Press evenly into an 8-inch pie pan. Refrigerate until set. 2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, then add milk and blend until smooth. 3. Add pudding mixture to cream mixture and blend on low speed until completely mixed. 4. Spoon half the filling over the crust, add a layer of strawberries, then spread the rest of the filling over them and top with remaining strawberries. 5. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
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3600 Miller Road Flint, MI 48503
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
THIS ISSUE Inside
Putting Your Health First Delivers Lifelong Rewards
How Much Do You Know About Diet Soda?
Client Success Stories
The Many Benefits of Physical Therapy
Low-Sugar, No-Bake Cheesecake
Trash-Bagging Makes Rainy Days Fun
Ditch the Screens and Grab a Trash Bag
A NEW WAY TO PLAY OUTSIDE
HOW IT WORKS Don’t let a little rain keep you from having a good time. Getting set up for trash-bagging takes only a few steps: Gear Up: Grab large plastic trash bags — at least one for each participant — and poke holes for your arms and head. These “sliding suits” keep you slick and ready to glide. Add the Soap: Using a squirt bottle, spray some soapy water onto the outside of the trash bag to create a slippery surface. Always use biodegradable soap safe for the grass and wildlife to protect the environment. Pick Your Hill: Choose a grassy hill free of rocks, sticks, and other debris. A gentle incline works best for safe and smooth sliding. Let the Rain Do the Work: Trash-bagging is the perfect rainy day activity, as the rain
Looking for a fun, wholesome way to bring the family together? “Trash-bagging” is a quirky, budget-friendly activity for adults and kids alike. Combining trash bags, rain, soap, and grassy hills, this outdoor pursuit, which became popular on social media, is a great way to embrace simple fun while creating lasting memories.
naturally lubricates the hill and adds to the fun. If there is no rain, you can use a hose to create the same effect. Slide and Repeat: Take turns sliding down the hill. To keep the fun going, reapply soapy water and replace sliding suits (i.e., trash bags). WHY IT’S WORTH TRYING Trash-bagging is a unique way to enjoy quality family time. It’s incredibly budget-friendly — requiring only a few everyday items — and offers a creative alternative to expensive outings. This activity appeals to all ages, so you can get everyone involved and moving outdoors. Plus, trash-bagging is an excellent way to unplug from screens and reconnect. It reminds us that the best memories don’t require a Wi-Fi connection — just a little creativity and willingness to try something new.
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