Rue & Primavera - September/October 2018

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September/October 2018

Welcome to the World, Teagen! The Story of How I Became a Grandmother

O n July 26, 2018, I received a phone call from my daughter, Marri. Immediately following my greeting, she exclaimed, “Mom, I’ve never appreciated you more than I do in this moment.” Before I explain the situation that led to this phone call, I should tell you that I have been blessed with three thoughtful and appreciative children. They have always been aware of the sacrifices of being a parent, and I have never doubted their gratitude. So, although Marri’s statement during that call wasn’t completely out of the norm, the sentiment was different this time; it stemmed from a connection that only mothers and daughters can share. Marri called to tell me that she had gone into labor. For the last nine months, she had been growing a tiny human inside of her body, and now, the moment that she, her husband, and the rest of our family had been excitedly waiting for was finally here. We were going to have our first grandbaby.

If the only birth you’ve witnessed was a fictional portrayal on your favorite sitcom or romantic comedy, then you might make some assumptions regarding the emotions that accompany the birth of a baby. Of course, every birthing experience is different, but having had three babies of my own, and having watched others give birth as well, I can attest that trying to describe the experience is difficult. Getting

that, depending on the origin, can mean either “beautiful” or “poet.” I think both interpretations suit her perfectly. She is a calm, serene, and peaceful little girl, and her parents are adjusting wonderfully. Fortunately, both Marri and Tyson have some maternity and paternity leave to allow them to spend lots of time with Teagen during these important early days. It is still somewhat uncommon for fathers in the U.S. to

“The only way I can think to describe the feeling is extraordinary privilege.”

to hold a baby in your arms right after they have been born is almost unfathomable. You get to watch as their mom’s stomach gets bigger, and you know that the baby is growing inside of her, but then all of a sudden, you are cradling the baby in your arms. The only way I can think to describe the feeling is extraordinary privilege. Watching your own daughter go through this experience only heightens the complexity of the emotions present in the delivery room. As I watched my baby give birth to her baby, I had mixed feelings. I felt this innate maternal struggle of wanting to protect her from pain, I felt overwhelmed with the irrevocable joy of seeing her become a mother, and I also felt so excited at the prospect of being a grandmother. When the baby cried out the very first noise she would ever make, all of us anxiously waiting on the sidelines matched her scream in pure celebration. In fact, we cheered so loud, we had to be hushed so as not to disturb the other laboring mothers! Marri and her husband, Tyson, named their new baby girl Teagen — a name

be granted any leave time when a baby is born, and our whole family is grateful that Tyson’s work recognized the necessity of his presence at home in order to navigate these adjustments with his two girls. Teagen’s parents brought her to Tom’s and my house for a family barbecue the weekend after they left the hospital, and anyone who sees them can feel their immense love for her already. I want to end this edition by giving a huge shoutout to the hospital staff at Whidbey Island Medical Center. The nurses and the doctors were reassuring, accommodating, and positive. They were absolutely amazing. I returned to the clinic on Monday ready to aid all of my patients with their rehabilitation and treatment, but if anyone catches me staring off into space over the next couple of weeks, I am probably daydreaming about the beautiful little baby who captured my heart.

Rue & Primavera Patients ENTER TOWIN! Find the misspelled word in this newsletter and call (360) 279-8323 for your chance to win a

CALL (360) 279-8323 $10 gift card!

–Wendy Rue

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Easy Rider Avoid Neck Pain While Driving

The Pullman Strike and the Origin of Labor Day

How a Railroad Protest Laid the Foundation for a National Holiday

Today, Labor Day mostly means a day off and the closure of public pools. But when it was first created, it was a president’s desperate attempt to curb the tension after one of the most violent strike breakups in American history. In the late 19th century, the workers of the Pullman Company, which manufactured luxury train cars, all lived in a company-owned town. George Pullman, the owner, lived in a mansion overlooking houses, apartments, and crammed-together barracks, all of which were rented by the thousands of workers needed for the operation. For some time, the town operated without a hitch, providing decent wages for the workers while netting the higher-ups millions of dollars. But after the economic depression of the 1890s brought the country to its knees, everything changed. George Pullman slashed his workers’ wages by nearly 30 percent, but he neglected to adjust the rent on the company-owned buildings in turn. As a result, life became untenable in the town, with workers struggling to maintain the barest standards of living for themselves and their families. In response, the workers began a strike on May 11, 1894. As the event ramped up, it gained the support of the powerful American Railway Union (ARU). But Pullman, stubborn as he was, barely acknowledged the strike was happening, and he refused to meet with the organizers. The tension increased when Eugene Debs, the president of the American Railway Union, organized a boycott of all trains that included Pullman cars. The strike continued to escalate until workers and Pullman community members managed to stop the trains from running. Eventually, President Grover Cleveland sent in soldiers to break up the strike. Violence ensued, with soldiers making a great effort to quell the strike at its core. By the time the violence ended, 30 people had lost their lives and an estimated $80 million in damages had been caused throughout the town. A few months later, President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day a federal holiday. Many experts believe that this act was an effort to build rapport among his pro-labor constituents after handling the incident so poorly. This month, as you fire up the barbecue and enjoy your day off, take a moment to remember the workers who fought for labor rights in our country.

Long commutes will always be a pain in the neck, but the discomfort doesn’t have to be literal. Developing stiffness or soreness in your upper back and neck is all too common in the driver’s seat. It’s annoying at the time, and repeated incidents can lead to more chronic problems down the road. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent this pain from developing behind the wheel.

Make Adjustments

If you frequently experience neck pain while driving, the position of your seat and mirrors may be the issue. Ideally, you want the back of your driver’s seat to be almost straight, at about a 100 degree angle to the seat. If you find yourself leaning forward to reach the steering wheel from this position, shift the whole seat forward. In older cars without built-in lower back support, it’s a good idea to slide a small pillow between your back and the lower part of the seat. After you have your sitting position figured out, make the necessary adjustments to your mirrors. You should be able to glance at each with minimal head movement. Constantly bobbing or craning your neck to see what’s behind you is a surefire way to develop neck and shoulder pain.

Stay in the Clear

A dirty windshield can be just as bad as poorly adjusted mirrors. Having to lean forward to see when sun and dust cut your visibility causes stress as your neck muscles accommodate. In general, poor vision is a consistent source of these sorts of aches and pains, so it’s a good idea to ensure you have the right pair of glasses (including shades) every time you drive.

Let Off the Gas

Normally, good sitting posture entails having both feet firmly planted on the floor. Drivers don’t have that option unless they literally put the pedal to the metal. During long drives on the highway, cruise control is a great option to give your feet a welcome rest. Otherwise, pull over to take a break and stretch your legs if you feel your neck beginning to tense up. There are also preventative measures you can take to avoid pain and discomfort before your next road trip or traffic jam. If you find yourself haunted by chronic neck, back, or shoulder pain no matter how long you drive, it may be time to contact a trusted physical therapist. These may be signs of more serious issues, but physical therapy can help you live and drive pain-free again.

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The Cutting-Edge Treatment Technology

Come Check out Our Deep Tissue Laser

Satisfied Patients Our therapists recently had a patient that had been experiencing severe lower back pain for over a decade. By the time he came to our clinic, his pain was so acute that when we asked him to rate it on a scale from 1–10, he gave it an 8. We recommended deep tissue laser therapy sessions for his treatment plan. After just nine sessions with us, he stood up and excitedly claimed that he was 100 percent pain-free. If you or someone you know wants more information about deep tissue laser therapy or our Litecure Medical Laser, please feel free to contact our clinic at (360) 279-8323.

In July, our physical therapists here at Rue & Primavera held an open house to introduce curious past, current, and prospective patients to our new deep tissue laser. For those who couldn’t attend or want more information, here’s a quick overview of why we love laser therapy so much. What It Treats This drug-free, surgery-free, pain-free modality quickly restores mobility and reduces pain associated with neck and back pain, sciatica, migranes, arthritis, and so much more. Laser therapy has been adopted as an essential pain management tool by athletic trainers in the NFL, MLB, and NBA. It is used to help Olympic athletes as well. After just a few

sessions using the laser, elite athletes have consistently reported being able to rejoin the team sooner than expected. How It Works Laser therapy uses a process called photobiomodulation, which is really just a fancy medical term that refers to an increase in your cells’ metabolism that allows for reduced inflammation in the body. Our Litecure Medical Laser is particularly effective because its power output is over 500 milliwatts; that’s a lot higher than any of the other lasers. This higher output means more light and energy are being released, which allows the laser’s beam to reach the painful spots that are the most difficult to get to.

SUDOKU

Late-Summer PANZANELLA

Panzanella, a Tuscan favorite, is a salad that features hearty chunks of bread instead of leafy greens as its base. What could be better for a late-summer cookout?

• 1 small loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups) • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 2 large tomatoes, cubed • 2 red bell peppers, seeded and cubed

• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced • 1 cucumber, sliced into rounds • 20 basil leaves, chopped

• Salt, to taste • Vinaigrette

1. In a large sauté pan, set to medium-low heat and add olive oil. Add bread and 1 teaspoon salt and toss often for 10 minutes or until toasted.

2. In a large bowl, mix vegetables and herbs. Toss in bread and your favorite vinaigrette and mix again.

3. Serve immediately or let sit 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Inspired by Food Network

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Meet My Very First Grandbaby

Why Labor Day Is Indebted to the Pullman Strike

3 Steps to Staying Pain-Free in the Car

Are You Curious About Deep Tissue Laser Therapy?

Late-Summer Panzanella

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Yo Ho Ho, Landlubbers! Celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day

A hoy, matey! Wednesday, Sept. 13, is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Brush up on your pirate vocabulary, grab your eye patch, get your puffy shirt dry cleaned, and bring a little seafaring fun to your office or classroom.

Did Pirates Really Talk Like That?

The “pirate-speak” popularized in movies and Disney attractions probably sounds nothing like real pirates did in centuries past. Today’s swashbuckling phrases delivered in a strong Southwest England accent can be traced back to Robert Newton’s 1950 portrayal of Long John Silver in the movie “Treasure Island.” Historically, English-speaking pirates probably sounded more like Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. Unfortunately, the pirates of the Golden Age didn’t leave behind any YouTube videos to confirm this. Participating in Talk Like a Pirate Day is easy — you just need to know a few key phrases. “Ahoy, matey” means “Hello, friend!” “Blimey, that son of a biscuit-eater hornswaggled me out of me doubloons” means “Darn it, that jerk cheated me out of my money!” “Shiver me timbers, that old salt is three sheets to the wind” means “Wow, that old sailor has had too much beer.” And if a pirate (or your boss) says, “Swab the deck, ye bilge rat, or it’s Davy Jones’ locker for ye!” start mopping the floor immediately. Learn the Lingo, Landlubber

The History of These Swashbuckling Shenanigans

The holiday began as an inside joke between pals John Baur and Mark Summers in 1995. For reasons not even understood by themselves, they began speaking like pirates while playing racquetball, saying things to each other like, “That be a fine cannonade” (“Nice shot, dude”) and “Now watch as I fire a broadside straight into your yardarm” (“But watch this”). They decided Talk Like a Pirate Day needed to become official, so they chose Sept. 13, which was Summers’ wife’s birthday (and the only date he could remember besides Christmas and the Super Bowl). In 2002, they pitched the idea to humor columnist Dave Barry, who promoted it in his syndicated column, and the concept quickly spread internationally.