Kinetic Physical Therapy - April 2018

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APRIL 2018

847-515-8970 • www.KineticPTS.com

On March 25, Grace Rose celebrated her first birthday. It’s amazing to realize how much she’s grown. She’s a bundle of joy who loves to crawl all over the house! The past year has been quite the adventure for Alex and me as new parents. Grace’s first birthday was a chance to look back on all the other firsts we’ve had as a family. was the lack of sleep. She’s always been a quiet baby, but when she got hungry in the middle of the night, she’d let us know. From sleepless nights to diaper changes, there were plenty of new challenges to adjust to. But all the joyful moments made them more than worth it. When we brought Grace home from the hospital, the first hurdle

As a new mother, one bit of advice I received a lot over the past year was to cherish all the little things. I’ve come to realize just how important that is. Her first toothless grin, her first giggle, her first tentative crawls — these moments seem like they were only yesterday. And yet, she has already grown teeth and is more mobile than ever. She still does plenty of giggling, though! As I’ve been creating these memories with Grace, I’m grateful that I’ve been able to continue doing the work I love. I became a physical therapist because I love working with patients, and forming those close-knit bonds is something you don’t often get to do in other medical fields. I returned to Kinetic last May, and

Alex’s parents live just down the street from us, and they’ve been incredible. Beyond the parenting advice and support they’ve given us, their willingness to babysit Grace while we’re at work means the world to Alex and me. And, of course, I’d be remiss if I left out the incredible support of my Kinetic PT teammates. They’ve done so much over the past year to make my work-life balance manageable and have shown so much support in and out of the office. Thank you all. It’s been an incredible, stressful, wonderful, and fun year. Motherhood is truly an adventure. I can’t wait to see the person Grace grows into over the years, and I’ll be sure to treasure every moment along the way. –Amanda Kranz

“HER FIRST TOOTHLESS GRIN, HER FIRST GIGGLE, HER FIRST TENTATIVE CRAWLS — THESE MOMENTS SEEM LIKE THEY WERE ONLY YESTERDAY.”

Planning Grace’s first birthday was definitely one of these moments. How do you plan a birthday for a 1-year-old, you ask? Well, Grace may not be able to talk yet, but her little stuffed elephant is her absolute favorite toy. So we threw her a jungle- themed party, complete with some new stuffed friends for her elephant!

it’s been a pleasure to continue working with my wonderful patients and team members. I’m so glad I was able to balance my life as a professional with my life as a mother. Finding that balance would not have been possible without all the love and support we’ve received from friends and family.

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Financial Technology for the Golden Generation

VENMO While it used to take weeks to transfer money by Western Union’s horse-drawn carriages, it now takes seconds with Venmo. This app gives you the ability to send money to friends and family via your phone. With a user-friendly interface, it’s quick and easy to set up an account and link bank accounts or credit cards. Once you’re up and running, sending money is as simple as pressing a button. If you’re intimidated by learning how to use mobile apps, connect with a family member or friend. All of these apps are designed to be intuitive and easy to learn, so with a little time and practice, you can be savvy technologically and financially!

Like most stereotypes, describing baby boomers as “tech illiterate” doesn’t tell the full story. Bill Gates is a baby boomer, after all. While not everyone in the “golden generation” is on Facebook, that doesn’t mean they can’t use technology. These three mobile apps are perfect for tech-savvy boomers looking to achieve their financial goals. ACORNS Acorns is the best way to make your spare change work for you. Every time you use your debit or credit card, Acorns will round up the spare change of that purchase to the next dollar and then invest it. Take that $2.30 cup of coffee from this morning, for example. This app rounds that transaction to $3.00, places the $0.70 extra into a fund, and invests it. This strategy, called “microinvesting,” may not seem like much, but remember that a mighty oak tree starts as an acorn! intimidating or just downright costly. And no matter how well your portfolio does, you always lose a chunk of earnings to fees and commissions. Robinhood is an app that removes all fees associated with stock trading and gives you free rein to buy and sell as you please. With seamless money transfers, Robinhood is a great way to build a large portfolio. It can even function as a small invested savings account. ROBINHOOD For many Americans, investing is either too

“My experience at Kinetic and with my therapist, Amanda, was wonderful. On my first day of therapy, after being in a leg brace 24/7 for eight weeks, I wasn’t able to drive myself. With Amanda’s guidance and the program designed for me, I was soon driving, walking without a cane, and beginning to see improvement in my balance. Amanda motivated me to continue exercising at home, and I vow to do it. Everyone at Kinetic is friendly and interested in the story that brought you to therapy. It’s sad when your treatment is completed, but it’s rewarding, too!” –Bonnie Werner

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Use These 4 Tips in Your Garden

START SLOW Taking care of plants of any size uses a lot of different muscles. If you’ve been sedentary most of the winter, maybe start with a few plants instead of the entire garden. This will let you build up your strength over time without stressing too many of your muscles at once. USE PROPER TECHNIQUES The same body mechanics that are considered good form in exercise routines apply to gardening. While working with small plants, be sure to squat or kneel, bending your knees rather than your back. Also, be sure to switch up your activities, even if that means just taking a minute to stroll around the garden. This will prevent repetitive-motion injuries.

USE TOOLS From standard wheelbarrows to cushioned kneelers, there are many helpful gardening tools out there that can make the work easier. You can even look into installing a raised bed in your garden, removing the need to squat or kneel. For those suffering from arthritis, there are gardening tools with ergonomic grips available. Whether you’ve got a green thumb or are trying your hand at gardening for the first time, these tips can help keep you in the yard and out of pain. If you don’t feel you have the strength or balance to keep up with the work, please come see us. We’d love to help you return to the activity you love!

While April showers can lend a helping hand, those May flowers aren’t going to plant themselves! For gardening enthusiasts out there, now is the month to get busy. Unfortunately, digging, fertilizing, seeding, and pruning can put a lot of strain on your lower back and other muscles. Thankfully, there are ways to minimize this risk. STRETCH BEFOREHAND Gardening requires flexibility, balance, and core strength. In a lot of ways, it’s comparable to

yoga. And, just like yoga, it’s important to properly warm up your body before a routine. Taking the time to stretch can go a

long way toward preventing injury.

Sudoku

Mint Pea Soup

Ingredients • 3 pearl onions, diced • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 6 cups fresh or frozen peas • 5 cups vegetable stock • 3/4 cup fresh mint, plus more for garnish • 1 tablespoon agave nectar

• Juice of 1 lemon • Salt to taste • Pistachios for garnish

Instructions 1. Place pot on stove over medium heat. Add olive oil. Add onions and cook until translucent. 2. Add peas and stock. Cook until peas are just tender and still bright green. Remove from stove and allow mixture to cool for 5 minutes. 3. Put the mixture in a blender. As you blend, add mint, agave, lemon juice, and salt. 4. Once blended, pour into a bowl, garnish with mint and pistachios, and serve! This soup can be served hot or chilled depending on the weather and your preference.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

847-515-8970 www.KineticPTS.com

11920 Oak Creek Parkway Huntley, IL 60142

INSIDE Amanda’s Year With Grace PAGE 1

3 Must-Have Financial Apps for Baby Boomers PAGE 2

Bonnie’s Story PAGE 2

Tips to Garden Pain-Free PAGE 3

Spring Greens Soup PAGE 3

This Season’s Best Family Activity PAGE 4

Spring is in bloom, and there’s no better time to get some fresh air. If you are looking for a way to get your family outside and away from their screens, why not plan a spring-themed scavenger hunt? More than just a fun way to spend the afternoon, scavenger hunts build problem-solving skills, encourage teamwork, and get your family to exercise their minds and bodies. Here are some tips on how to plan a memorable family scavenger hunt. Play in Teams Your whole family can participate together, but it can also be fun to strike up some friendly competition with teams. Have at least one parent or an older, responsible sibling on each team to make sure everyone stays safe and follows the rules.

feathers are a great item for a spring scavenger hunt, but you don’t want your kids to touch them. Make a rule that a team member must appear in every picture so no one can cheat by finding photos online. Customize Your List There are plenty of scavenger hunt lists online, but it’s more fun to brainstorm with your family. Have everyone think of three to five spring- related items, like yellow flowers, a kite, or a rabbit-shaped cloud. Do some research into your local flora and fauna. If you put a bluebird on the list, you might want to make sure there are bluebirds in your area. Don’t Forget the Prizes! Prizes don’t have to be elaborate to be fun. It can be something simple, like Popsicles or fake medals, or maybe the winning team gets to pick a restaurant for dinner.

Take Pictures Since everyone has a camera on their phone, why not use it? By taking pictures, you don’t have to worry about losing anything you find, and your teams can more safely collect certain items. For example, bird

Scavenger hunts are one of the best ways to create lasting family memories this spring without breaking the bank. Just get your list, gather your family, and have fun. Happy hunting!

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