Horizon Physical Therapy - February 2026

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physical therapy and rehabilitation

February 2026

3600 Miller Road, Flint, MI 48503 • 810-620-8042 • horizonptflint.com

Got Questions? Seeking Answers Sparks Ideas That Shape Your Future

As a respected management guru once said, the best way to predict the future is to create it. In recognition of Feb. 8–14 as National New Idea Week, this is a good time to explore ways to generate new ideas that make a difference. Great ideas are always rooted in continued exposure and learning. But executing them takes more than that: You have to move forward and take advantage of that learning. The goal is to refine and refine again until you achieve the best possible outcome. Otherwise, that great new idea just stays stuck in your head. Generating more ideas begins with asking more questions. Two things that help me come up with new ideas are reading books and interacting with knowledgeable people. If you start with a problem or question in mind, reading books, blogs, and other content, and talking with experienced people can help you find ideas for resolving it. For example, some people have a problem digesting fatty foods after gallbladder removal surgery, but there’s a helpful remedy available. Among the science- backed products sold by a company called Thorne, where I buy my vitamins and supplements, is a digestive enzyme that helps break down fats. But to find that type of information, people have to ask the right questions and look for answers. After discussing with friends and family, consulting their doctor or physical therapist, and researching books, the internet, and YouTube, they’re likely to find ideas that will help. But if you don’t start asking questions, how can you generate new ideas for a solution? You can’t. Be proactive vs. reactive. It’s easy to lapse into just reacting to things that happen to you, rather than taking positive action. When things happen, we might be tempted to say, “OMG, this happened to me, and I had no control over it.” But when you start digging in and taking proactive steps, you realize that you could have had a level of control over what happened. You just didn’t recognize the signs of what lay ahead. Without scanning the horizon for new ideas, ultimately, we just allow things to happen to us.

My idea to start Flint’s Finest, my nonprofit youth basketball program, sprang from my desire to create a fair environment where young players could develop to their full potential. That idea arose from problems in my own life. I’d been discouraged by all the favoritism and politics I encountered in my basketball career. If I had simply reacted to what happened to me and stopped there, I could have easily gotten stuck in negative thinking. But I enjoy coaching. I coached my sister in basketball, and I resolved that none of my family members would ever have to deal with the kind of politics that blocked my dreams. Instead, I took proactive steps to give other young players a better experience. I committed to ensuring they had constructive learning environments. And once I reached a position where I could afford to do so, I started my own nonprofit organization. I am proud to say that Flint’s Finest has encouraged more than 80 young players not only to develop their skills but also to pursue higher education. To succeed in business, I want to ensure that I take care of my team at the office as well. And to do right by my team, I need to engage in continued learning and growth. That requires constantly asking questions, seeking answers, and taking action on the ideas I discover. As you move ahead in your work and personal life this month, I hope you are blessed with some great new ideas, plus the energy to refine and bring them to fruition. In the process, you’ll be creating the future you desire!

-Dr. Jerome Adams

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The Surprising Power of a Hall Closet Makeover FROM CHAOS TO CALM

Hallway closets can be the odd cousin in home decor, evolving into a catch-all for everything from coats and shoes to linens, craft supplies, pantry items, or necessities for your bath or office. The clutter these storage areas often attract can cause major stress for homeowners who are embarrassed every time they open the door. With a bit of forethought, these black holes for stuff can become orderly receptacles for life’s essentials. Here are three strategies for accomplishing a hall closet makeover. A Multipurpose Solution Creating a simple organizing system can turn a single closet into a multipurpose space. To counter a shortage of bathroom storage space, consider dividing a hall closet into separate, functional storage areas for bedding, towels, bath supplies, and cosmetics. This will work best if you create zones and label the shelves in a pleasing color and script.

The key to making a storage plan work is to train all users to return everything to its place after they are done. Consider making your closet space more appealing by giving the inside a coat of high-gloss paint in bright white or another color for a clean, minimalist look that sparkles. Expand Capacity Placing large wicker or cloth baskets or plastic bins side by side on closet shelves will increase the closet’s capacity. Alternating lacquered pastel pink or green baskets with white ones can lend a fresh, clean look, and labeling the baskets across the front can save you time hunting and searching. Sort items by category and keep the most often-used items on lower shelves. For smaller items, such as mittens and scarves, consider installing back-of-the-door hooks or over-the-door organizers to maximize every cubic inch of open space. Hang hard-to-store items, such as brooms and irons, on the walls. To convert a hall

closet near the kitchen into a pantry, consider installing sturdy lazy Susans on lower shelves for easy access to oils and other ingredients. A Space for Fun Some hallway spaces offer special challenges, such as narrow, deep closets beneath stairs. If you don’t need the space for coats, consider converting

it into a reading nook or quiet cave for kids. Invite the children to help choose colorful pillows, chairs, or bean bags, or include stuffed animals, textile hangings, and a soft area rug for added comfort. With a little time spent decluttering and organizing, you can ensure every storage space in your home works for you, rather than against you.

CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES

“I enjoy physical therapy. They are good. I would recommend Horizon!” –Laticia K.

“Horizon, you can’t beat it! It’s good I’ve coming a long way as far as exercising and getting all my legs’ strength and everything back together. I give them a 10 all the way. I encourage anybody to come to Horizon, they’ll get you right!” –Max B.

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FINISH STRONG! Excitement is building among basketball teams at all levels this time of year, as the regular season comes to a close and preparations for postseason tournaments and playoffs begin. Another thing also rises as spring draws near: injuries to players. The most common causes are ankle and knee problems, which account for the lion’s share of missed playing time at all levels of basketball. If you are a basketball player or are rooting for a family member on the court, here are a few strategies to prevent season-ending strains and sprains. Ankle Sprains

PREVENT SEASON-ENDING BASKETBALL INJURIES

(including single-leg squats), Nordic hamstring curls, and walking lunges can all strengthen

key muscles. Practicing a single-leg stance and balance-board drills can also improve stability. Return to Play If you do suffer a late-season knee or ankle injury, avoid rushing back into play. Wait until the joint is pain-free, both at rest and while moving. Give your ankle or knee joint time to regain a full or nearly full range of motion, with no swelling or instability. Strength in the injured joint should return to

Strengthening exercises such as calf raises, dorsiflexion (flexing your toes closer to your shin), and plantarflexion (flexing your toes farther from your shin) can help strengthen muscles and improve ankle stability. These exercises strengthen the ankle joint, muscles, and tendons in the lower leg, helping the ankle joint withstand heavy strain. Other exercises can stabilize the ankle, including balancing on one leg at a time, or walking on your heels or toes. Your physical therapist can also recommend footwear or taping to improve the functioning of your ankle joint. Knee Injuries An exercise program can also help guard your knees against late-season injuries. Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee joint, including the quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves, can help keep the bones properly aligned and prevent non-contact ACL and meniscus strains and tears. Squats

nearly 90%, and you should be able to jump, cut, and spring without symptoms. To stay healthy and active throughout the basketball season and beyond, contact us today for a consultation. We would be glad to develop a personalized exercise plan to keep you in the game!

Have a Laugh

Honey Mustard Pork Chops

Ingredients •

• • •

1/4 cup stone-ground mustard

4 thick, boneless pork chops

1/4 cup fresh honey

• • •

3 1/2 tsp garlic and herb seasoning, divided

Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

1 tsp sea salt

1 tbsp avocado oil

Directions 1.

Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Pat pork chops dry before seasoning them with salt and 1 1/2 tsp of garlic and herb seasoning. 3. In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat avocado oil over medium heat. 4. Sear pork chops in hot oil for 1–3 minutes on each side. 5. In a medium mixing bowl, combine mustard, honey, and remaining garlic and herb seasoning while the pork cooks. 6. Remove pork chops from skillet. Add honey mustard mixture to the skillet and mix. 7. Place pork chops back in skillet and cover with sauce. 8. Place pan in oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, until pork reaches 145 F. 9. Set oven to broil for the final minute to allow the tops to caramelize and enjoy!

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Inspired by LoveFromTheOven.com

3600 Miller Road Flint, MI 48503

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

THIS ISSUE Inside

Why Asking Questions Is the Path to Better Ideas

Less Clutter, More Clarity: The Rewards of Spruced-Up Storage

Client Success Stories

Survive the Most Dangerous Part of the Basketball Season

Honey Mustard Pork Chops

The Next Evolution in Sports Practice

INSIDE THE VIRTUAL LOCKER ROOM

THE FUTURE OF ATHLETIC TRAINING

Athletic training has long relied on repetition; however, some of that practice now takes place entirely in virtual spaces. Picture an athlete standing still in a quiet room, headset on, heart rate steady, but every move in front of their eyes looks as real as a stadium full of noise. Thanks to virtual reality (VR), that’s now a possibility, and many athletes are using it to stay sharper when it counts.

Elite players are finding other uses. Tennis star Alexander Zverev combines VR with neuroathletic exercises to train body control and focus. Working with Munich-based company IMPROVR, he can even connect remotely with his coach when they’re on different continents. These sessions help him refine his timing and rhythm, without needing to go onto a court. Of course, the technology isn’t perfect. Long sessions can cause headaches or dizziness, and the headsets are still heavy enough to strain the neck. Without

VR is making its way into practice sessions across disciplines, but the earliest adopters have been skiers and soccer players. The Austrian national ski

team is utilizing the technology to replay downhill runs and study every turn without ever touching the snow. Young players at Germany’s DFB Academy train inside 360-degree re-creations of soccer matches to help boost their on-field awareness and decision-making. A basketball study found the same thing. When ballplayers practiced in VR, they developed instincts that translated to real games once they returned to the court.

true physical feedback, fine motor skills can’t yet be replicated safely. The best results come when VR adds to a routine, not when it tries to replace one. Still, the possibilities are expanding fast. Mixed- reality training could one day enable a sprinter to fill an empty track with a virtual Olympic crowd or help an athlete practice working through pressure- filled moments until they feel routine. VR won’t create champions, but it’s beginning to change how they get ready to compete.

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