Check out our June newsletter!
JUNE 2025
6358 EDGEMERE BLVD. EL PASO, TEXAS 79925 915-562-8525
11855 PHYSICIANS DR. EL PASO, TEXAS 79936 915-855-6466
Hands-On Healing and Heart Helping You Heal, One Encouraging Rep at a Time
Hi, I’m Mauricio, one of the physical therapist assistants at Spine & Rehab Specialists. If you’ve spent time in the clinic over the last couple of years, there’s a good chance we’ve crossed paths. I’ve been with the team since April 2023, and it’s been an incredible journey filled with growth, nonstop learning, and the opportunity to make meaningful connections with patients every day. It feels like time flew by, probably because every day here is different. I get to work with patients from all walks of life and help them heal through a combination of hands-on therapy, targeted exercises, and a whole lot of encouragement. I’ve recently added new tools to my rehab belt by completing continuing education in dry needling and vestibular therapy. I’m always chasing new knowledge to give each patient the care they truly need. But let’s rewind. My journey into physical therapy began during my studies at the University of Texas at El Paso. I’ve always had a deep interest in how the human body moves and heals, and I was especially drawn to the rehab side of sports medicine. Watching athletes recover from injuries on campus gave me a front-row seat to the power of physical therapy, and I knew I wanted to be part of that world.
What really sealed the deal? My sister. She’s three years ahead of me and worked as a PT tech. Hearing her talk about her experience and seeing it for myself lit a fire in me. I quickly realized that helping people regain their strength and confidence was more than rewarding — I could see myself doing it for the long haul. Then, I did my final clinical rotation here at Spine & Rehab. I instantly clicked with the team. They treated me like a colleague, not a student, and I felt the kind of support that’s hard to put into words. When I got my license and was offered a job, there was no hesitation — I was already home. At the clinic, we’re all about connection. Whether with our coworkers or patients, we work as one unit toward a shared goal: helping people heal. We’re like a well-oiled machine — except friendlier and with more stretching. One thing patients might not know is that even though we PTAs work under a physical therapist’s care plan, we’re still very hands-on. We’re trained to guide your treatment, adapt it as you progress, and communicate closely with the entire team to ensure you get the best possible outcome. It’s a true partnership between all of us and with you.
When I’m not in the clinic, you’ll probably find me outside, exploring new hiking trails with my girlfriend and my 7-year-old stepdaughter. We’re big fans of mini adventures, and I’ve even started dabbling in golf (jury’s still out on my swing). Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep growing. Maybe one day I’ll take the leap into PT school. But for now, I’m soaking up everything I can and staying focused on what matters: helping people move better, feel stronger, and get back to doing what they love. To current and future patients reading this: I know physical therapy can be tough. Some days are harder than others. But I believe in the power of small progress and compassionate care. My goal is to help you feel seen, supported, and maybe even smile — because even a little positivity can go a long way in your recovery. If you ever need a smile, a stretch, or a solid recovery plan, you know where to find me. –Mauricio Armendariz
Know a friend who needs PT? Tell them to call our office! If they mention this newsletter, they’ll score a FREE 15-minute consultation. They can call 915-562-8525 for the Edgemere Boulevard clinic or 915-855-6466 for the Physician’s Drive clinic.
• 1 915-562-8525
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR The Truth Behind Physical Therapy Myths
‘I don’t need to do anything extra outside my physical therapy appointments.’ Succeeding with your physical therapy treatment is a lot like succeeding in school. If you want to pass, you have to do your homework. We spend plenty of time with our patients each week, but we can’t do everything necessary in the limited time we get together. You have to take on some of the work to maximize your recovery and improve your ailments. If we provide you with exercises, stretches, or activities to do at home, avoiding them will only lengthen your treatment time. ‘I’ll just get a massage. It accomplishes the same goal.’ While a massage may be part of your physical therapy treatment plan, it’s not the only thing our physical therapists do to help you recover. You can’t just expect to come in for a massage and see progress. You have to pair it with some type of physical activity. Your physical therapist will put together an individualized plan for your unique situation. You can’t pick and choose what parts you want to do. ‘It’s too expensive.’ Many people believe that physical therapy is overpriced and too expensive to fit into their budget, but that’s not the case. Nearly all medical insurances offer some type of coverage for physical therapy services. Moreover, our team is not trying to get rich from your medical condition. We just want to help you feel your best! We try to keep services within your budget when possible. Keep in mind that the longer you push off physical therapy, the more severe your condition could become,
As social media becomes more common, more people are sharing their opinions than ever. After watching a few reels or clips about specific topics, you start to see similar topics that the site’s algorithms feed you, reducing the diversity of thought on the subject(s). The problem is that you may not appreciate all sides of an issue if you don’t get all the relevant information. This is how confirmation bias can take hold, promoting the spread of rumors, myths, and misinformation throughout our communities. Most of us are no strangers to misinformation and rumors; we see it almost daily while scrolling through social media. How often have you read someone’s post and scoffed to yourself, thinking, “There’s no way someone believes that.” Yet, people believe some of the most ridiculous ideas because social media algorithms influence what they see, and misinformation becomes more prevalent. Many Americans associate misinformation with propaganda and politics, but it also sneaks into our daily lives. We see it in the physical therapy world almost every week. Someone read something online or heard about a scary experience from a friend and is cautious about proceeding with treatment. Let’s debunk and dispel some of the most common physical therapy rumors and myths. ‘It will hurt too much.’ When a doctor refers patients to physical therapy, it’s usually because they are experiencing some type of pain or discomfort. Yet, some believe physical therapy will worsen their pain in the short term and is not worth the
effort, even if it provides relief in the long run. However, we aim to make you as functional as possible while managing any pain you experience. We want to reduce your pain! While you might experience additional soreness during your first few appointments, it’s part of the healing process.
which, in turn, leads to more expensive treatment options. Don’t let misinformation and myths sway your opinion about physical therapy. If you have any concerns or questions, reach out to us directly. We’ll give you information you can trust!
2 • www.spinerehab.net
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
The Simpson’s Real-Life Dream Home
AND WHY IT DISAPPEARED
Imagine owning the Simpson’s house, the one belonging to Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, in real life — pink walls, orange couch, and all. In 1997, Fox Broadcasting Company partnered with Pepsi to make this a reality and built a full- scale replica of 742 Evergreen Terrace. The two companies intended to make one lucky fan’s dreams come true, but things didn’t go as planned. Bringing Springfield to the real world. De-fictionalizing a home from a famous cartoon is no small feat. Fox and Pepsi hired Kaufman and Broad homebuilders to build the house in Henderson, Nevada, and they overlooked no detail. They replicated everything, from the layout and interior design to Bart’s treehouse, to bring the home to life. The builders also included hidden gems throughout the house, including Duff beer in the fridge and a bowl
The builders pored over hours and hours of “The Simpsons” episodes to get the layout right while making the home livable for actual people. After completing the home, Fox opened it for tours as part of a promotional campaign for “The Simpsons” merchandise. Over 500,000 people visited the house in just four months, but that wasn’t the end of the story. The grand prize nobody took. While the home was open for tours, Fox and Pepsi held a sweepstakes to give it away. Fans entered by collecting numbered game pieces from select Pepsi products. During the 1997 fall premiere of the show, the winning number was flashed on the screen, but no one came forward to collect the prize. So, they later chose the winner via a random raffle of forms consumers submitted by mail. The winner was 63-year-old Barbara Howard of Richmond, Kentucky. But Howard didn’t want the house. Instead, she accepted a $75,000 cash prize offered as an alternative, which sealed the fate of the real-life Simpsons house. After the contest, the home underwent a total makeover to blend in with all the others in the surrounding housing development. Today, it still stands, but you’d never guess it was once the perfect replica of America’s favorite cartoon house.
for Snowball II in the kitchen.
SIMPLE SUMMER GARDEN PASTA
TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS • 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, to taste) • 1 tsp kosher salt • 1/2 tsp black pepper
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
• 1 lb angel hair pasta • 1 cup fresh basil • 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese • Cooked, chopped chicken for serving (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper and toss until well coated. 2. Cover and let the mixture sit at room temperature while the pasta cooks. 3. Add pasta to a pot of boiling water and cook per package directions until al dente. 4. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water to add to the tomato mixture. 5. Coarsely chop the basil leaves. 6. Add the pasta, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil to the tomato mixture and toss again until combined. 7. Serving suggestion: Add cooked, chopped chicken for more protein!
• 3 915-562-8525
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
915-562-8525 | www.SpineRehab.net 6358 Edgemere Blvd. El Paso, Texas 79925
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1.
Stretch, Smile, Repeat: Life With Mauricio at Spine & Rehab 4 Physical Therapy Myths Debunked Inside the Real Simpsons House Simple Summer Garden Pasta
2.
3.
4.
Live Like Gisele
Gisele’s Habits for Staying Fit and Fabulous You couldn’t escape seeing Gisele Bündchen during the late 1990s and early 2000s. She appeared in countless What’s Her Secret?
she do it? Here are three of her habits you can easily adapt to your lifestyle. Eat a mostly plant-based diet. In her cookbook, “Nourish,” Gisele claims that 80% of her diet is plant- based. She used to be vegan but developed anemia, which required her to add red meat back into her diet. Gisele tries to keep raw vegetables prepped and ready to eat. Fruit is also a staple of her diet, but she no longer does juice cleanses. Instead, she’s been trying out different types of fruit smoothies! Avoid certain foods and drinks. Gisele is no stranger to the occasional treat like french fries or gelato, but some things are entirely off-limits. She avoids eating ultra-processed foods, and you’ll likely never see her inside a
advertisements showcasing lingerie, perfume, and more. She was also regularly featured in magazines, even named “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” by Rolling Stone in 2000. Her fame only grew as time went on. Although the supermodel is not in the limelight as much as she was 10 or 20 years ago, she’s considered one of the greatest models of all time and still gets her moments in the spotlight whenever she wants. If you’ve seen recent photos of Gisele, you may wonder how she’s stayed in such great shape. She doesn’t look much different from when she was in her prime modeling days. So, how does
fast-food restaurant. Gisele has also cut out alcohol and coffee from her diet in recent years, replacing coffee with caffeine-free dandelion tea. Stay active. Exercise is essential to any health journey, and Gisele ensures it’s part of her routine. She continually tries new physical activities in addition to weightlifting and cardio. She enjoys paddleboarding, biking, surfing, horseback riding, and bouncing on trampolines. She also practices yoga to deal with stress.
4 • www.spinerehab.net
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator