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Physical Therapy Treating Our Patients the Way We Want to be Treated
MARCH 2025
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Getting Back to Doing What You Love THE MAGIC OF MOVEMENT
“Motion is lotion” — it’s a phrase you may have heard before in our office, but there’s real truth to it. Movement keeps our bodies functioning at their best, keeping our joints fluid, muscles strong, and energy levels up. But let’s be real — most of us don’t always prioritize exercising like we should. Finding ways to incorporate movement into our lives can be challenging, whether it's due to busy schedules, lack of motivation, or past injuries. The good news is that movement doesn’t have to be an intense gym session or a grueling workout. It’s about staying active in ways that fit into your lifestyle. And when injuries do happen, physical therapy plays a crucial role in helping people get back to doing what they love. As a former athlete turned physical therapist (I played football in college), I learned firsthand that exercise is about more than just playing a sport, building your muscles, or leaning out — it's about keeping your body capable of handling everyday life. Whether you’re lifting groceries, chasing after kids, or organizing the house, your body needs to be strong enough to handle the demands of daily activities. As we age, our bodies naturally lose muscle mass and flexibility. Without regular movement, we become more prone to stiffness, weakness, and even injuries. That’s why incorporating some form of exercise into your routine
(cardio, strength training, or yoga) is so important. Even a daily walk can make a difference! Here at the office, we see people come into physical therapy because something has disrupted their routine. Maybe they got injured, had surgery, or developed chronic pain that keeps them from doing the things they love. Our job as physical therapists is to help them recover and reintroduce movement into their lives. At first, many people focus on what they can’t do. Their injury or pain becomes the center of their thinking and creates a list of limitations in their minds. But I encourage a shift in perspective — what can you do? Maybe you can’t run yet, but you can stretch. Maybe weightlifting is off the table, but you can do bodyweight exercises. Little by little, the can’t list gets shorter, and the can list grows. In physical therapy, we don’t only treat injuries; we rebuild confidence in movement. We teach people how to move safely, avoid future injuries, and even discover new habits they may never have embraced before. Adding movement into your routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are five simple ways to stay active without overhauling your schedule: Take the Stairs: Skip the elevator and get in a mini leg workout.
Walk More Frequently: Whether it’s a morning stroll, parking farther away, or walking during phone calls, every step counts. Stretch Every Day: Keep your muscles loose and your joints happy with quick daily stretches. Try a Fun Activity: Dance, swim, bike, or do yoga — find something you enjoy so exercise doesn’t feel like a chore. Make It Social: Exercising with a friend or family member makes it more enjoyable and keeps you accountable. One of my favorite things about working in physical therapy is seeing people who previously avoided exercise develop a newfound appreciation for movement. Some patients come in never having set foot in a gym, and by the time they leave, they’re excited to continue being active. The key is making exercise part of your lifestyle, not something you dread. When you move more, you feel better. It’s that simple. So, whether you’re recovering from an injury, trying to prevent one, or just looking to keep your body strong, remember this: Motion truly is lotion. Keep moving, and your body will thank you for it.
– Matthew Smith
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THE ROAD TO REMOTE RECOVERY Robotics Revitalize Physical Therapy
Whether by necessity or convenience, the past few years have seen the rise of remote work and virtual interactions. With the touch of a computer key, people can now connect with colleagues and loved ones from anywhere in the world. Remote technologies also have the potential to revolutionize the field of physical therapy, offering individuals with limited mobility more options than ever to receive treatment without leaving their homes. Thanks to an ambitious professor in the Midwest, robotics designed to provide stroke patients and other individuals with disabilities with a thorough workout may soon be widely used — all from the comfort of their computer desks. Mobility From Milwaukee The latest evolution in robotic rehabilitation technology, the iTbot, is a portable robotic arm used in tandem with virtual reality to assess and treat physical therapy patients who cannot attend in-person sessions. It is the brainchild of Habib Rahman, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s College of Engineering & Applied Science, who is currently testing it for public use. Similar to online games that allow players worldwide to interact with one another, the iTbot connects therapists and patients for remote sessions that track movement and collect data in real time. Using tablets or home computers, patients engage in various activities — such as moving the iTbot to touch “balls” that spread further apart on the screen — which test their mobility and generate information that appears on the therapist’s screen. Therapists can calibrate or adjust the iTbot’s arm remotely based on the patient’s needs and abilities as the session progresses.
the physical robotic arm as the patient uses it appears on the therapist’s screen,” Rahman explained in a university press release. “All that data the robotic arm collects in the real environment you can see on the digital twin.” Just as the iTbot may soon provide patients with a mobile means of treatment, it also has the potential to benefit therapists by reducing the burdens they experience when delivering continuous in-person care. “This kind of technological innovation is needed,” added Inga Wang, the university’s professor of occupational therapy, science and technology, in the release. “One- third of physical and occupational therapists themselves experience musculoskeletal injuries due to the physical demands of conventional therapy.”
Healing Through History While the iTbot represents the future of robotic
rehabilitation, the quest to incorporate machinery into physical therapy has spanned more than a century. In 1910, a patent was filed for an electric, motor-driven “movement cure apparatus” to help heart disease patients improve their walking abilities. Despite this early advancement, it would take another 70-plus years before the first robotic rehabilitation became commercially available. Called the MIT-Manus, it was developed to assist with limb movement, cognitive function, and motor relearning.
The creation of the iTbot has launched an exciting new era in robotics research. It offers hope to individuals whose physical ailments prevent them from
traveling to receive the therapy they need. Soon, all someone yearning to improve their quality of life will need is an internet connection and the will to succeed.
“We are essentially creating a digital twin of the patient’s evaluation — a virtual model of
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A Beginner’s Guide to Counting Macros Counting macronutrients (macros) is not just a fad diet — it’s a lifestyle change. Though the diet has grown in popularity, it’s one of the most effective and safest ways to support weight loss, gain muscle, and improve diet quality. Some people track their macros through various apps, and others prefer to keep a diet journal. Regardless of how you choose to track, everyone’s needs will vary based on factors such as activity level, age, weight, and medical condition. If you’re unsure what macronutrients are, this short guide will help. What are macronutrients? Our foods contain three main macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Each plays a unique role in our bodies’ overall functioning. Macronutrients are needed in large quantities to sustain our activity levels, while their counterparts, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), are necessary in smaller amounts. • Carbohydrates: Starches, fiber, and sugar are the primary fuel sources for your brain, muscles, and nervous system. Simple carbohydrates break down quickly into sugar energy, while complex carbs can help us feel fuller longer. • Proteins: Protein is vital to forming muscles, hair, skin, nails, bones, and enzymes. It’s primarily made of amino acids; however, we must get nine amino acids through food because our bodies don’t produce them independently. • Fats: Natural fats can be categorized as saturated or unsaturated. They are essential to hormone production, temperature regulation, cell function, organ protection, and vitamin absorption. Avoid trans fats in processed foods because they are linked to certain heart problems and cancers. Tracking What You Eat
Count macros mindfully. Your estimated calorie needs are based on age, weight, muscle mass, and activity level. The easiest way to calculate your calorie needs is to use the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation. The recommended breakdown of your macronutrients is as follows: Ingest 45%– 65% of calories from carbs, 10%–35% from protein, and 20%–35% from healthy fats. Before starting any diet, consult your physician or other health care professional about any changes you want. Also, because these numbers are general guidelines, it’s best to speak with a registered dietitian to determine your macronutrient needs within those ranges.
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Inspired by AllRecipes.com
TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS • 1 (4 lb) corned beef brisket with spice packet • 3 qts water • 1 onion, quartered • 3 carrots, cut into large chunks
• 3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces • 1 tsp salt
• 2 lbs red potatoes, halved • 1 small head of cabbage, cut into eighths
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine corned beef, spice packet contents, water, onions, carrots, celery, and salt. Bring to a simmer (skimming off any foam on top). 2. Cover pot, reduce to low heat, and let simmer for 3 hours until meat is fork tender. 3. Add potatoes to the pot and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until potatoes are al dente. 4. Add cabbage along the edges of the meat and on top. Cover and let simmer until cabbage is tender, 20–30 minutes. 5. Place meat on a cutting board and let rest for 10–15 minutes. After meat has cooled, slice against the grain. 6. Add to a large serving bowl, ladle vegetables and broth over top, and serve. DIRECTIONS
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916.983.5611 ROCPT-ergo.com 1635 Creekside Dr., Ste. 101 Folsom, CA 95630
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1.
The Power of Movement
2.
A Physical Rehab Revolution
3.
Achieving Health Goals With a Macro Focus
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage
4.
How Creative Activities Promote Healthy Aging
Age Gracefully With Movement You Enjoy
NO GYM REQUIRED! By now, you’re probably tired of hearing about healthy aging. Every article says you should eat specific things and exercise regularly, but what if you’ve never enjoyed going to the gym or jogging? You’re probably not going to start running marathons, lifting weights, or joining a sports club at this point. It can make you wonder if other options exist to add more physical activity to your daily routine. The answer is yes. Instead of going to the gym or running through your neighborhood, you can find creative activities to provide extra movement to your day. Even better? You’ll improve your physical and mental agility. Here are two creative aging activities you can explore. Take the Stage Acting is an excellent activity for anyone to start, but it becomes even more beneficial to aging Americans. Through acting, you’ll notice improvements in your concentration and memorization. Depending on the play, you may be required to stay moving, which will benefit your physical health. Plus, you’ll get many opportunities to socialize with your castmates. Many local theaters actively look for aspiring actors to audition.
Bust a Move You may have fond memories of dancing in clubs, at weddings, or during special events, but the opportunities to boogie become rarer as we age. Thankfully, dance classes and studios love sharing the enjoyment of dance with people of all ages. Whether you like salsa, tap, waltz, swing, or some other type of dance, you can find a class or group ready to welcome you.
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