Fyzical's online newsletter for August 2018
Island Time
The Story Behind My Trademark Hawaiian Shirts
L
ong before I set off on my own and opened HealthMasters/Fyzical, I worked closely with an organization that, let’s just say, was a little uptight. To boost our image and branding, they declared they’d be taking all-new mandatory headshots for the entire team. Everybody was expected to dress up, get their hair all fluffed up and adjusted, and make a pretty face for the camera. Well, anybody who knows me knows that kind of performance just is not my style, so I didn’t make a big deal out of picture day. Instead, I showed up in my typical get-up: a pair of slacks and one of my more elaborate Hawaiian shirts. Though the photographers didn’t seem all that happy about it, they took the picture, touched
Honestly, though, my island style goes beyond a goofy joke. It’s really an embodiment of my entire treatment philosophy and a big part of my worldview. The way I see it, people come into our clinic in pain, with a goal to improve their lives and get back to doing the things they love to do. If we, as clinicians, can’t maintain some levity around the office and have a little fun while treating patients, what are we doing? It’s important to me that each of us does our best to radiate an easygoing joy to everyone who comes in, so we can convey these positive feelings to our patients and make the treatment process that much easier for them. The Hawaiian shirt is my small, playful way of trying to spark that joy in my own office, around town, and in every aspect of my life. I catch a lot of flack for my fashion sense (or lack thereof), but honestly, I love when patients joke with me about the shirts. I remember one woman who came in after undergoing an incredibly serious hand surgery procedure, which had resulted in a disastrous outcome. Over the better part of two years, she went under the knife five more times, and throughout the ordeal, she came into the clinic and I guided her toward recovery. She used to kid me about my shirts all the time, and it made me think: If this woman, who’s in such pain all the time, suffering from this much dysfunction and disease, can still joke around and have this incredible attitude, then what excuse do the rest of us have to be anything but cheerful? I just want everybody to know I love what I do and I’m happy to be there. When people ask why I’m wearing the shirts, I often tell them it’s because I feel like every day’s my own personal vacation. I just hope I can spread this laid-back cheer to my staff and the wonderful people we have the opportunity to serve at the clinic.
it up, and posted it on the website. Obviously, my picture stood out next to all the tame, buttoned-up outfits everyone else wore. Within the day, feedback started flooding in for my laid-back attire. Patients loved it; I had people that I hadn’t seen for years calling in with a chuckle to tease me about the shirt or offer their compliments.
From then on, I made the humble Hawaiian shirt a staple of my wardrobe. Rare is the day when I’m not seen at the clinic or around town in one of my many multicolored, island-style shirts — to the point that it’s become an important part of my identity. When we became a
franchisee of Fyzical, I even went so far as to get the Fyzical logo sewn onto a few of my Hawaiian numbers.
–Louis Zuniga
NORTHEAST 4758 Loma Del Sur El Paso, TX 79934
EAST 8111 N. Loop El Paso, TX 79907 915-593-4985 M-TH 7am-6pm, F 8am-12pm
WEST SIDE 4646 N. Mesa El Paso, TX 79912
915-755-0738 M-F 7am-6pm
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3 Ways to Mentally Prepare Your Kids for the School Year
It may not feel like it yet, but summer is coming to a close, and summer break is ending along with it. Soon, the kids will be back to early morning breakfasts before the school bus arrives and late-night study sessions. Thankfully, there are some steps your family can take during these closing weeks of summer to ensure your kids hit the ground running this school year. Set an Early Bedtime. For many kids, summer schedules are flexible. They may have become accustomed to sleeping in and staying up late without any obligations. Getting back into the rhythm of the school year can take some getting used to. In fact, according to psychologist Cherie Valeithian, it can take upward of two weeks to properly adjust to a new sleep-wake cycle. So why not give your kids a head start and ensure they begin the school year bright-eyed and bushy-tailed? Outline a Homework Schedule. Resuming a homework regimen can be a difficult transition for some kids. Late summer, when they don’t have assignments to worry about yet, can be a great opportunity to help them prepare a study schedule. Ask the following questions to help them get started: Way back in 1995, long before Alan Ramirez joined the HealthMasters team, and even before he’d gone into the PT field, he already had a passion for service and a keen interest in physical therapy. But if you ask him, it was the encouragement of HealthMasters founder Louis Zuniga that spurred him into becoming the compassionate and experienced therapist he is today. “I was only 19 when I met Louis,” Alan says, “and he truly set the foundation for me as a physical therapist. But beyond that, he also provided me with a lot of wisdom and guidance in life in general. He paved the way for me, probably without even realizing it!” Now, Alan’s been in the field for 23 years and with our team at HealthMasters for nearly as long. He’s a refreshingly genuine guy, the kind of therapist who can instantly put a new patient at ease. “Of course, helping people get back to their normal lives is one of my favorite parts of my career,” he says. “But I also love the challenge of it. Breaking down all the components of an injury, determining where the problem lies, and mapping out a solution never gets old.”
“Do you want to dive right into homework when you get home? Do you need to accommodate for a sport or extracurricular activity?
Do you work best when doing your assignments in one large chunk, or would you prefer taking breaks in between assignments?”
Your kids may find that last year’s schedule doesn’t work for them this year. Emphasize that this is okay; part of growing up is learning how and when you work most effectively. Don’t be afraid to help them switch things up as the school year progresses. Ask Your Kids How They Feel. Maybe your kids are excited about the school year. Maybe they are anxious, or perhaps they’re just disappointed to see summer vacation come to an end. Starting a dialogue about the aspects of school your kids are looking forward to and those they’re dreading can help you dispel myths and identify problem areas. More than anything else, this can help your kids feel at ease about the coming year.
Meet Alan Ramirez
Skilled, Compassionate Therapist and Dedicated Family Man
Though he already has extensive experience guiding patients to a full recovery, he’s always looking for ways to improve his skills. Soon, he’s hoping to add an orthopedic manual therapy certification to his toolbox, a journey he hopes to embark on toward the end of 2018. As he puts it, everything he does is for his family. “All this is for them— even this certification,” he says. “With a 4-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 17-year-old about to ship off to college, I want to live by example. Of course, I want more resources to do right
by my patients, but I especially hope to show my children that even their old dad can continue learning and bettering himself throughout his life.” “It may be a very ‘dad’ thing to say,” Alan adds, “but my greatest joy in life is to hear my kids laugh and to see them smile. If I can pass on any of the wisdom I’ve been so lucky to receive across my lifetime to my kids, my patients, or my peers, then I’ve done something right.”
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You Can’t Treat a Football Concussion That You Don’t Know You Have
As we approach football season, excitement isn’t the only thing building around El Paso. Incidence rates for concussions also see an uptick when players hit the field. Whether it’s a pro linebacker in the NFL or a youngster just starting out in contact sports, studies show that experiencing repetitive collisions can put athletes at risk of suffering brain injuries. Perhaps even worse than concussions is a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative brain disease born out of repetitive concussions and brain trauma. This condition can cause adverse effects that massively diminish quality of life. Most people assume that the condition strikes only ex-pro football players long past their prime, but in fact, data suggests that it can cause damage at any age. While it’s impossible to determine whether a patient
child gets involved in the sport. This has led some researchers to recommend that children under the age of 14 avoid tackle football entirely. If you have a child revving up for football season, it’s important to protect them from brain injuries that can potentially damage their health and well-being for the rest of their lives. Luckily, with the NeuroCom Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) device at Fyzical El Paso, we can screen players post-concussion to determine whether there are any residual balance problems indicative of deeper issues. The experienced and compassionate physical therapists at Fyzical El Paso are equipped to treat concussion symptoms with a wide variety of exercises, tools, and strategies that can help eliminate dizziness, improve balance, restore strength and endurance, reduce headaches, and prepare athletes to return to the gridiron. Every concussion is a serious injury. It’s vital that each one be treated as such. If you or your child has suffered a recent concussion — or you’re concerned that they might have — give the experts at Fyzical a call. We’ll assess the problem and do everything we can to facilitate the healing process.
suffered from CTE until after they pass away, one study conducted by the Boston University School of Medicine indicated that cognitive, behavioral, and mood problems may begin to develop the earlier a
Ouch!
Take a BREAK
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower doesn’t have to be boring! With a little Parmesan cheese and some seasoning, it can pack a punch of flavor that will please even your most vegetable- averse family members. INGREDIENTS
• • • • •
1 head cauliflower
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1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano- Reggiano
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
4 sprigs thyme
4 garlic cloves, unpeeled 3 tablespoons olive oil
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Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Cut cauliflower into florets.
3. Roast for 35–40 minutes, tossing occasionally. 4. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and finish roasting, about 10 minutes longer. 5. Serve while hot.
On a large baking sheet, toss cauliflower with onions, thyme, garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Inspired by epicurious.com
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INSIDE This Issue
The Story Behind Louis’ Hawaiian Shirts
How to Prepare Your Kids for School
Meet Alan Ramirez, M.P.T.!
Football, Brain Injuries, and Your Child
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season
Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season Book a Caribbean Cruise
After last year’s devastating storm season, would-be tropical travelers are undoubtedly hesitant about purchasing those discounted plane tickets to the Caribbean Basin. No one wants to face a possible evacuation during their vacation — or worse, be forced to weather a hurricane at a beachfront resort. If you want the most bang for your buck while enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this fall, consider booking a cruise. Cruise-ship travel is a fun and adventurous way to explore any time of year. After all, what could be more magical than a floating hotel room where you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another? This charming mobility is also what makes cruise travel the safest option for visiting the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico this time of year. Safety and Savings Much like resorts and airfare, cruise lines discount their Caribbean fares significantly during peak hurricane season, from August to October. However, unlike a traditional hotel, these massive ships have the luxury of navigating out of a storm’s path with ease. For all their ferocity, hurricanes move slowly across the Atlantic and have
relatively predictable trajectories. Meanwhile, modern cruise ships carry the most sophisticated weather-tracking instruments, allowing them to bypass even small storms and inclement weather. Flexibility Is a Must The flipside of this ability to dodge storms is the fact that your ship may not be able to stick to its original itinerary. You may have to anchor at an island you weren’t expecting to or miss out on seeing a port you were supposed to visit. If you have your heart set on seeing a specific location, cruise travel this time of year may not be for you. But if you are simply looking for a safe, affordable vacation to a beautiful region, then it doesn’t much matter which white-sanded beach you wake up to next. While unpredictable weather will always be a concern for any vacation, the safety and variety cruises offer make them great options for anyone looking for a Caribbean getaway before the holiday season. So if you have a flexible schedule and a healthy sense of adventure, it’s time to call your travel agent, pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, and head to paradise!
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