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SEPTEMBER 2020
847-515-8970 • www.KineticPTS.com
BITING OFF MORE THAN I COULD CHEW HELPED ME GROW AS A PERSON
One of the most terrifying yet gratifying experiences is taking on more than you’re prepared to do. Sometimes, those responsibilities can be far weightier than you’d ever imagined. For example, on Sept. 1, 1715, a 5-year-old was appointed king of France when his grandfather, King Louis XIV, died. I can’t imagine how confusing that must have been for the child, but it also reminds me of the time I took on a little more responsibility than I was prepared for — though I don’t think it was as alarming as becoming king. When I started out as a physical therapist, I worked in another clinic for a year before I found another opportunity at a second clinic for a director position. It was a perfect opportunity for me because I knew I wanted to open my own practice one day, and taking this position would bring me one step closer to that goal. I applied for it and was hired soon after. I was excited to move into this new phase of my career, but I quickly discovered that duties of a director weren’t what I expected they’d be. In school, my fellow classmates and I were taught how to treat people and ensure they are fit and healthy. As a director, I found myself working with numbers, monitoring patient satisfaction, managing employees, and encouraging the team to come together and work as a solid unit. It was a lot of different tasks I wasn’t prepared for, and it was a challenge. However, like with anything new you face in life, it wasn’t a bad thing. If you’ve found yourself in this type of situation, you can do one of two things: give up or keep pushing forward. Realizing this is what I needed to learn, I dove in. Placing myself in a situation out of my comfort zone forced me to learn new skills and helped me become better. I also believe educating yourself is one of the best things you can do, so I hit the books. I read books on leadership and
finance to give myself the knowledge I needed to do my job and do it well. I’m not saying I managed to do everything right straight out of the gate — it takes time to learn something new, and I made quite a few mistakes along the way, and that’s fine. It’s important to remember it’s okay to make mistakes and lean on other people for support. During my time as a director, I knew quite a few people from other clinics who were there for me whenever I had a question. Despite being a bit overwhelmed, I know taking that position was one of the best choices I’ve made. It helped prepare me for my future career, and many of those lessons, skills, and learning habits still help me tremendously to this day. I pushed myself into something completely out of my comfort zone because I knew that if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have grown as a person. I’ve always been the type to challenge myself because I know how beneficial it is for me, and it’s the same for everyone. While it may be scary and overwhelming at times, stepping out of your comfort zone helps you become a better you. No matter what you face in life, trying something new provides life lessons and skills that will stay with you for the rest of your life. –Mike Ulmer
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Attending your physical therapy appointments and doing your at-home exercises as instructed by your PT are crucial parts of your recovery process. However, they’re not the only important steps you should take. What you eat can affect how quickly and well you heal just as much as your dedication to your exercises. By incorporating a few of these foods into your diet, you can heal faster and come back stronger than ever before. OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS There are three phases to the healing process: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. While you might think that inflammation is a bad thing, it’s actually a normal and necessary part of healing. That said, you should still try to reduce inflammation, as it can be harmful in excess. Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids do wonders to control inflammation. Plus, our bodies can’t make omega-3 fatty acids naturally, so we have to get them from what we consume. Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish, olive oil, avocados, pecans, walnuts, and almonds. ANTIOXIDANT-RICH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Along with omega-3 fatty acids, the antioxidants from fruits and vegetables can also go a long way in reducing inflammation. Broccoli contains vitamins
A, C, and K, as well as folic acid and several different minerals. ( Pro Tip: Cook your broccoli to maximize these nutrients!) Citrus fruits and peppers have high levels of vitamin C, and peppers have high levels of beta-carotene as well. Additionally, turmeric and garlic
work wonders during the healing process. PROTEIN-RICH MEATS, NUTS, AND DAIRY PRODUCTS
When it comes to the proliferation and remodeling stages of healing, healthy sources of protein are the way to go. Lean meats like poultry and fish are easy sources of protein, but if you don’t eat meat, you can also get protein from beans, eggs, nuts, and dairy products. Protein-rich foods will help heal muscles and bones and prevent muscle atrophy. It’s incredible what the body can do with just a few intentionally consumed superfoods!
“Emery is an exceptional therapist. He knows how to get a person moving to achieve the goals he sets for you. The exercises he had me do at home sure helped me out. The whole staff is also most congenial. Kudos to all. After meniscus surgery, everything is back to normal.”
“I have been in therapy off and on for 10 years and have always left with a wonderful experience with noticeable progress. Before my knee replacement and eight weeks of therapy at Kinetic, I couldn’t even walk up a flight of stairs. Now I can take stairs without any difficulty.”
–John Tokarz
–Laurene Strance
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Arthritis occurs at any age and with anyone, though it is more commonly found in women and as they age. The swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints caused by arthritis make it difficult or nearly impossible to do everyday tasks, such as walking the dog, getting out of bed, or even picking up a drinking glass. While this disability can occur within any joint of the body, it is more commonly found in the knee. OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) Although there are hundreds of types of arthritis, the two most common forms to appear in the knees are OA and RA. OA occurs gradually and usually reduces range of motion and starts to cause joint stiffness, pain, and discomfort around age 50. With normal wear and tear as we age, the cartilage wears away and
spaces between the bones start to rub against each other, which can cause bone spurs. Over time, OA can move from a minor discomfort to extreme pain as it worsens. While mostly older folks suffer from OA, anyone can contract RA, which is an autoimmune inflammatory condition. Often, RA attacks not just the knee but also joints throughout the body in a symmetrical pattern: If it affects one knee, it will attack the other as well. Unlike OA, where the cartilage wears down, RA causes tissue to swell as the immune system damages normal tissue and softens bone. TREATMENT Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis; however, many adjustments can help relieve the pain and discomfort of the condition. One of the best ways is to minimize the time spent on an
activity that causes your arthritis pain. Avoiding stairs, engaging in low-impact activities, and losing weight are all fairly easy lifestyle adjustments. Using assistive devices, such as a cane or shock- absorbing shoes, can also help reduce pain while walking. Additionally, using a knee brace can help stabilize and increase knee function while going about your daily life. Another form of treatment that can help reduce arthritis pain is physical therapy. Certain exercises can increase your range of motion, flexibility, and strength to help combat your condition. Physical therapy strategies are individual; the physical therapist develops a unique plan based on their patients’
Sudoku abilities. If you’re suffering from arthritis, the therapists at Kinetic PT Specialists can help. Call us at 847-515-8970 to learn how.
Minty Carrot Top Pesto
Inspired by YupItsVegan.com
Pesto may sound like a fancy ingredient on restaurant menus, but you can make it at home in minutes! This vegan recipe is a great way to use spare carrots tops, and it tastes delicious as a pasta sauce (thinned with water) or a cracker spread.
INGREDIENTS • 1 large bunch carrot tops • 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar • Salt and pepper to taste • 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh mint • 4 chives, chopped
DIRECTIONS 1. To blanch the carrot tops, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, prepare a large bowl of ice water. Remove the stems from the carrot tops and add the greens to the water. Boil for 3 minutes, then drain the water and dunk the tops in ice water. When they’re cool, wring out the extra liquid. 2. Use a food processor to blend the carrot tops and all other ingredients except olive oil. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil at a time to the food processor and blend until the pesto is smooth. Taste and serve!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
847-515-8970 www.KineticPTS.com
11920 Oak Creek Parkway Huntley, IL 60142
INSIDE The Director Position I Wasn’t Prepared For PAGE 1
The Nutrients You Need During Physical Therapy PAGE 2
My PT Story PAGE 2
Arthritis Is a Pain PAGE 3
Minty Carrot Top Pesto PAGE 3
Did You Know Lucille Ball Saved ‘Star Trek’? PAGE 4
Did You know that Lucille Ball — the iconic comedian best known for her 1950s show “I Love Lucy” — is the reason “Star Trek” exists today? Ball was a Hollywood force in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and she produced hit after hit with her production company. In fact, Desilu, co-founded by Ball and her then- husband, Desi Arnaz, was responsible for hits like “The Andy Griffith Show” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” The two were partners in the company until their divorce in 1960, and in 1962, Ball took over Arnaz’s share. In that moment, Ball became one of the most powerful women in Hollywood, and Desilu, one of the biggest independent production companies at the time, had a lot of pull in the industry. In 1963, one of Desilu’s biggest hits was coming to an end. “The Untouchables” was a crime drama starring Robert Stack. Ball needed a replacement, and two potential shows hit Ball’s desk: “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible.” In 1965, Ball took the pitches to her longtime network collaborator, CBS. They said no to “Star Trek” (but yes to “Mission: Impossible”), but Ball wasn’t about to give up on this new science
fiction show, so she took it to NBC. The network was skeptical at first but ordered a pilot. The pilot starred Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Pike and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. There was no James T. Kirk to be found — not yet, anyway. The pilot, titled “The Cage,” was a disappointment. NBC executives weren’t about to put it on air, but they decided to order a second pilot after Ball agreed to help finance it. The second pilot starred William Shatner as Captain Kirk, and he was joined again by Leonard Nimoy as Spock. NBC executives liked what they saw. The new pilot, titled “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” was put on NBC’s fall schedule, though it wasn’t the first episode aired on NBC. That honor went to the episode titled “The Man Trap,” which aired on Sept. 8, 1966. While Gene Roddenberry’s original “Star Trek” only lasted three seasons, it went on to become a major TV and film franchise. One of its recent iterations, “Star Trek: Discovery,” is about to enter its third season on the streaming service CBS All Access — all because Lucille Ball saw potential in a little show back in 1965.
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