STRAIGHT LEG RAISE While lying or sitting, raise up your leg with a straight knee and your toes pointed outward. Stregthens Legs www.simpleset.net Try this movement if you are experiencing knee pain. EXERCISE OF THE MONTH
Who Needs Physical Therapy?
Are you moving like you should be? Your hips and knees are essential to everyday movement; whether you are sitting, standing, walking or running, you need your hips and knees in great shape. Sometimes, when your hips and knees are in pain, it can cause you to change the way that you are moving, causing you to change the flow and pace of your gait, which is the way that you walk. Other times, prolonged pain can cause you to stop doing movements that are indicative of healthy joints. If you’ve experienced any hip or knee pain and are considering whether physical therapy is a good choice for your health needs, consider the following: • From a standing position, are you able to lean over and touch your toes? If so, then this indicates that you have proper hip and low back flexibility. If not, then you may need to improve your flexibility and joint range of motion, and physical therapy could be helpful. • In a sitting position, can you comfortably cross your legs, leaving your ankle to rest comfortably on the opposite knee? If this is painful, or one knee constantly must be lower than the other, then this may be indicative of knee concerns that could be addressed with physical therapy. • From a standing position, with your feet planted flat on the floor, can you push your body into a squatting position? You should be able to squat all the way down so that your buttocks are almost touching your heels. If you aren’t able to do this, then physical therapy may be helpful in improving your range of motion. • Standing near a wall or countertop, arrange your feet so that you are standing with the heel of one foot touching the toes of the other, as if on a balance beam, and see how long you can stand still. Can you balance for 10 seconds? If not, then physical therapy may be able to improve balance and coordination. The goal of any physical therapy program is to restore range of motion and improve flexibility and strength while reducing the general experience of pain. Unfortunately, hip and knee injuries often tend to linger. Every movement relies so heavily on the hips and knees that it makes it difficult to allow these joints to actually rest following an injury. Physical therapy provides targeted exercises that support the joints with precise movements that help reinforce strength and range of motion. For more information about overcoming hip and knee pain, call Pinnacle Physical Therapy & Personal Training today!
HEALTHY RECIPE Vegan Sweet Potato Quesadillas
• 1/2 tsp cumin (optional) • 2 handful of baby spinach • 1 cup black beans, cooked or canned • 2-3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped • salt & pepper to taste • 6 gluten-free tortillas • 1 cup vegan cheese, grated
• 5 tbsp olive oil • 1 sweet potato, grated • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 tsp chili (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS Filling: Heat 1-2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add grated sweet potato and roast for 30 seconds, then add spices and stir to combine. Once the pan is sizzling, add a little water, then cover the pan and reduce to low hear. Cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add baby spinach, and cook for 2 minutes until sweet potato is tender and cooked through. Stir in beans, corn, parsley and cook for 1 minute longer until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Quesadillas: Heat another non-stick pan with medium heat and brush with some oil. Spread 3 tbsp of the filling evenly over half of 1 tortilla, leaving a 1/2 in border. Cover filling with grated cheese and fold over the empty side of the tortilla, pressing down carefully by using a spatula, so that it sticks. Cook for 2-3 minutes, flip and cook from the other side until golden and crispy. Repeat with remaining filling and as many tortillas as needed (about 4-6, depending on the exact size). Transfer quesadillas to a cutting board, slice, and then serve.
CALL US TODAY IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING HIP OR KNEE PAIN
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