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November 2018
The Great Northern Manrique Family Reunion
OUR TRIP TO BANFF, ALBERTA
M ost Thanksgivings, members of the Manrique clan are in one of two places: either in town with my side of the family, or up in Orangevale with the in-laws. But this year, we decided to get a little more adventurous. In addition to all the beautiful, remote places we’ve gone over the past few months, we’ll be adding Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta, to the list. And this time, we’re bringing nearly the whole extended family along for the ride. It may seem like a strange place to head to for the holiday, but there’s a story behind it. A couple of years ago, one of my brothers, Alex, decided to make the trek up north at Thanksgiving. He and his family are big lovers of the outdoors like us, so along the way, they made pit stops in Yellowstone and a couple of other places. When they returned, they couldn’t stop raving about the Banff area — the deep, vivid blues of the lakes, the thick forest, and the staggering views in every direction. They loved it so much that they returned to Banff the following summer, this time driving through British Columbia and along the Trans-Canada Highway. Apparently, they still couldn’t get enough of the place, so the following Thanksgiving, they again made the trip up north (though that time they flew). When it came time for my extended family to gather for the holiday, Alex — predictably — suggested Canada. We’ve all heard his stories about the place over the past couple of years, and we figure that if he’s so eager to return to the same spot for the fourth time, it must be special. So, lo and behold, we’re gearing up for a big adventure up north!
excited to check it out. We’re not sure exactly what to expect with the weather, but we know we should pack our heavy winter clothes. Whatever happens, the whole gang is looking forward to a ton of hiking, snowshoeing, and maybe even snowmobiling. Of course, the best part will be getting together with the family. It’s been a long time since we’ve gotten both my brothers, my sisters, their spouses and kids,
and my parents all together in one place. And where better for a long- overdue family reunion than a place so steeped in natural beauty? I’m just grateful to be so close with my family that they’re all willing to spend a week in a “foreign land” with us, eager to explore and get out in nature. As far as things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, I’d say that’s pretty much the biggest thing I could possibly ever want.
-Julian Manrique
I’m always up to explore a new area, and I’ve heard time and time again about the indescribable beauty that surrounds Banff, so I’m
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Whenever an activity involves heavy lifting or repetitive motion, it’s important to take steps to prevent injury. While back pain, carpal tunnel, and sore shoulders are normally associated with work-related injuries, it’s important to note that these issues can also result from working in the kitchen if you’re not careful. With the big feast coming up at the end of the month, here’s a guide to pain-free cooking! Mix It Up Even if you’re “just” chopping carrots or peeling potatoes, you may be exposing yourself to a repetitive strain injury. Standing for long periods with your shoulders hunched forward is also bad for your back. While it’s always important to keep an eye on your posture, the best way to avoid pain and stiffness is to do a mix of activities in short bursts. If you’re cooking with family, consider swapping jobs every six or seven minutes to give your body a break from the same motions and positions. Use Your Tools If you are older or suffer from arthritis, this is an especially important point. Erginomic kitchen utensils are Avoid Injury This Thanksgiving Pain-Free Cooking
available to make many cooking tasks,
from slicing to stirring, easier to handle. Using oven mitts rather than pot holders also lets you grip hot items with greater confidence and reduces the likelihood of an accident. Lifting the Turkey All right, here’s the big one: One of the easiest ways to hurt your back is to lift a heavy object while simultaneously twisting your torso — the exact thing one might do when trying to take a turkey out of the oven in a single fluid motion. Do not put yourself and the feast at risk. Lift with your legs, straighten all the way up, and then turn to where you want to carve it. No one wants to throw their back out before Black Friday. We hope you have a safe and happy start to the holiday season. If any aches or pains develop as the weather gets colder, feel free to swing by and let our physical therapy experts get you moving again!
SUCCESS STORY
“My experience at Focus has been nothing short of magnificent. I presented with a partial tear in my left rotator cuff with significant disability — to the point that I feared surgery would be necessary because my shoulder was essentially frozen, and the pain gently impacted my daily activities. Julian worked very closely with me, and gradually, over a period of several months, I began to experience relief from the shoulder and an increase in my range of motion. Julian and all the staff were always very positive and encouraging during my therapy sessions. Julian persevered with a combination of various types of manipulation and stretches until I was able to realize significant improvement. I am extremely grateful to Julian and the rest of the Focus staff for all their efforts. It is a blessing to no longer have to deal with the pain from my shoulder and to have the range of motion that I was without for so long. In conclusion, I want to thank Julian and the Focus staff for allowing me to return to my previous quality of life!” –Louis Alvarez
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Meet Dr. Ming Chiu!
One of Our Dedicated Physical Therapists
after watching his nephews play
Success stories have always motivated Ming Chiu. Having served at Focus Physical Therapy for a year and a half as a PT, Chiu loves watching his patients get back to the activities they enjoy. “How I’m able to get people back to what they love, that’s what makes it most valuable,” Ming says. “It’s about that success story — that’s what keeps me going.” Ming is a 15-year veteran of physical therapy and was once dubbed “Ming the Merciless” by one of his patients. That nickname is a badge of honor — and a good source of humor — for Ming, who proudly wears a shirt with the name on it. Physical therapy became Ming’s passion after he watched his grandfather suffer a stroke and subsequently undergo physical therapy. While his grandfather eventually passed away, Ming says he was influenced by that experience and his own participation in sports. His drive to keep working in physical therapy all these years derives from his patients and the relationships he builds with them.
baseball with a less- than-skilled umpire. Ming then learned he could volunteer and become a role model to young players. “I realized how fun it is, not just for me as an umpire, but to give more leadership
to the kids,” Ming says. Ming has been umpiring for 12 years, and while he never even played baseball beyond Little League, he has a passion for helping kids develop a healthy love for the sport. At Focus Physical Therapy, we’re proud to have Ming drawing upon his leadership skills to help our patients and fuel those success stories he’s so dedicated to. Keep up the great work, Ming!
When he isn’t being merciless in our clinic, Ming is umpiring on the Little League baseball diamond. Ming was introduced to umpiring
Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but they’re often the blandest thing on the table. Luckily that’s not the case with this recipe, which features Thai spices and coconut milk. SPICY, CREAMY SWEET POTATOES
HAVE A LAUGH
Ingredients
• 5 pounds sweet potatoes • 1 cup canned coconut milk • 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
Directions
1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes. 4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot.
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30212 Tomas #120 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
949.709.8770
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SPECIALIZING IN: LOWER BACK PAIN • SCIATICA • NECK PAIN AND HEADACHES HIP PROBLEMS • SHOULDER PAIN, BURSITIS, AND TENDINITIS SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPY • GOLF PERFORMANCE KNEE PAIN • PLANTAR FASCIITIS • DIZZINESS AND VERTIGO AQUATIC PHYSICAL THERAPY • AND OTHER CONDITIONS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Manriques Migrate to Canada 3 Tips for Pain-Free Cooking Success Story Meet Ming Chiu, Doctor of Physical Therapy
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Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes
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