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Physical Therapy Treating Our Patients the Way We Want to be Treated
JULY 2024
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HOW MY EARLY JOBS HELPED ME HELP OTHERS THE JOBS THAT SHAPED ME
I have tried every candy flavor at See’s Candies — or at least I had at some point.
seasonally, I could hardly stand the smell or sight of candy, but I just had to try every piece. Today, I appreciate my time at See’s Candies not only for the fun fact about myself it provides but also for the opportunity to work at my first real job. Summer is a pivotal time for teenagers venturing into the workforce for the first time, and much like my seasonal work at See’s Candy, those first jobs can teach young people the value of hard work and professionalism. After working at See’s Candy, I had a brief (albeit tough) summer job working in construction and then as a lifeguard. However, another early job that impacted me most was when I first started working in physical therapy. The athletic trainer at my high school, Mike Lawson, or Doc, as we all called him, was also a physical therapist. As Doc treated me for my sports injuries, my interest in physical therapy grew. I would ask Doc questions, and he happily answered.
therapy, including the academics and working with patients.
When I was in high school, my brother was hired at See’s Candies, and luckily, the store manager was willing to take a chance on another Smith boy. They hired me as a seasonal worker to stock shelves during the store’s busiest seasons. It was hard work, and I spent a lot of time stocking, restocking, and helping customers as candy flew off the shelves. However, the best part of working at See’s Candies was that employees were allowed to eat anything they wanted. By the end of each time I was employed
I jumped at the opportunity to work with Doc and learned a lot working in his clinic. I owe my whole career to the opportunity Doc gave me. Later, I would work at other local clinics, which also provided me with invaluable experiences. Today, I am honored to work with physical therapy aides in our clinic as they start their journeys in the field. While these early jobs are an excellent opportunity for them to learn about hard work, I also feel a responsibility to help them grow professionally. I make it a point to talk to each of them during their tenure at the clinic about being a professional in this field, such as how to carry yourself in the workplace and engage in conversations. They may not be with us for a long time, which is the very nature of being a physical therapy aide, but they help support clinics as they prepare to go to school or gain more experience in the field. I’m honored to provide mentorship during their short moments with us. It’s the least I can do after a mentor did the same for me all those years ago. Good luck to every young person venturing into the workforce this summer! – Matthew Smith
One day, Doc asked me if I’d like to be an aide at his clinic.
It was the perfect opportunity. I had a feeling physical therapy was the career route for me, but I also knew I needed to try it first. I had to test myself to see if I could manage all aspects of physical
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Visiting any popular indoor pool will reveal a diverse pool of swimmers — fitness buffs, sports watchers, swim teams, students in kiddie lessons and aerobics classes, and families playing. Few sports can meet diverse fitness goals like swimming. Swimming can provide benefits such as improving cardiovascular fitness, increasing muscle tone, trimming pounds, and getting a workout without hurting stiff, arthritic joints. No wonder it is the fourth-most popular activity in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Participation spikes every time a new swimming star bursts into the spotlight, as Michael Phelps did in 2008. Known for winning more Olympic medals than most countries, Phelps won gold in all eight of his events at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Public fascination with Phelps’ big feet, long arms, remarkable pain tolerance, and prodigious performance led to an influx of children and teens to school and community swim programs. Phelps has inspired double-digit growth in swim program participation for over a decade. Dive Into Health The Unique Benefits of Swimming
former Division I college water polo player. “Water creates enough resistance to stop a speeding bullet within just a few feet. When you’re swimming, you have to pull yourself through that heavy resistance. That is going to build a lot of muscle,” Cole explained. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just 2 1/2 hours of swimming per week can reduce the risk of chronic illness. On average, people who swim regularly reduce their risk of death by half compared to non-swimmers and enjoy their workouts more than those who exercise on land. Water-based exercise has the added benefits of improving flexibility, coordination, balance, and posture. For post-menopausal women, swimming can improve bone health. According to the Better Health Channel, a publicly funded Australian health and medical information service, swimmers can exercise without impacting weak or arthritic hips, knees, or ankles. The sport also builds endurance by delivering an all-around, full-body workout. Swimming laps at a pool can target different muscle groups, according to Healthline.com, because of the variety
Last year, champion swimmer Katie Ledecky surpassed Phelps in the total number of individual world titles. After competing in the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics and winning 16 gold medals, the 26-year-old superstar
of strokes, like the breaststroke, butterfly, and backstroke. The water resistance works core, leg, and arm muscles simultaneously, while different strokes target specific muscles.
became the first swimmer to win six consecutive world championships in the same event in Japan’s 2023 World Aquatic Championships. Ledecky defeated the second-place finisher in the 800-meter freestyle by an astonishing 4.44 seconds.
Swimming has mental health benefits as well. Research shows swimming improves people’s mood and decreases
anxiety in those with fibromyalgia and other painful conditions. And in one of the sport’s biggest draws, those who enjoy it can continue to swim for a lifetime. Any community pool is likely to attract swimmers from age 3 to 103! So, find that bathing suit and take a dip! You may decide to make it part of your regular exercise routine.
Fans of swimming stress that it is more than a cardio exercise. “This is resistance training. It’s the same thing as lifting in a gym,” says Steve Cole, a swimming instructor, creator of a swim-instruction app, and
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT The Importance of a Vitamin D-Rich Diet
Vitamin D, best known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is uniquely both a nutrient we eat and a hormone our body makes when exposed to sunlight. While our bodies need vitamin D to absorb calcium, allowing us to build and fortify our bones, it does far more than that. The fat-soluble vitamin is also an anti-inflammatory and helps our
While a 3.5-ounce serving of farmed salmon contains about 526 IU, a serving of wild-caught salmon may contain significantly more and may even exceed the daily recommendation.
A 3.5-ounce serving of herring or sardines will net you around 200 IU, or about a third of your daily
recommended vitamin D. You can also obtain trace amounts of vitamin D from foods such as egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver.
brains and immune systems function. According to the Mayo Clinic, the daily recommendation for vitamin D intake for the vast majority of the population is around 600 international units or IU. However, unlike many other nutrients, not many foods naturally contain a large amount of vitamin D. Whether natural or fortified, here are the best foods to add to your diet to help you hit the recommended daily vitamin D intake. Natural Sources of Vitamin D If you are searching for a natural vitamin D
Artificial Sources of Vitamin D If you do not mind using artificial
sources to hit your daily recommended dose of vitamin D, then your best bet is a supplement. A great source is cod liver oil, which contains 450 IU of vitamin D per teaspoon. For those who don’t enjoy seafood, fortified milk is a great way to hit your daily recommended intake.
No matter how you acquire your vitamin D, the benefits are worth the effort. From helping revitalize cell growth to keeping your bones strong and healthy, vitamin D is a nutrient you should consider incorporating more of into your diet.
source, you will likely have to get your feet wet. Some of the best natural sources of vitamin D are fatty fish like salmon, herring, sardines, and tuna.
TAKE A BREAK!
This recipe is packed with protein-rich quinoa and a colorful array of vegetables. It’s ideal for a healthy lunch or a quick dinner! QUINOA VEGGIE BOWL
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 red bell pepper, diced • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced • 1 cup diced zucchini
• 1 cup diced mushrooms • 1 tsp dried oregano • Salt and pepper, to taste • 2 cups cooked quinoa
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Add bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add oregano, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.
4. Add the cooked quinoa and mix thoroughly. 5. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then serve.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
916.983.5611 ROCPT-ergo.com 1635 Creekside Dr., Ste. 101 Folsom, CA 95630
1. The Value of Your First Job 2. Swimmers Score Health and Fitness Gains 3. A Guide to Vitamin D-Rich Foods INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Quinoa Veggie Bowl
4. TikTok Embraces Power Walking
STRIDING TO SUCCESS How Power Walking Boosts Your Fitness
Runners and other workout buffs often make fun of power walkers, saying that walking — even at a vigorous pace — isn’t a real workout. Try telling that to TikTok fitness influencer Stefana Avara. Avara says she got great results from power walking 30–45 minutes daily at a 15-minute mile pace (about 4 mph on a treadmill). In the past, she had built strong, bulky thighs playing lacrosse and claimed she wanted to smooth out her quads. After just five weeks of power walking, she attained slimmer thighs while maintaining excellent muscle tone. Power walking involves moving faster and with more intention than regular walking. You keep your arms bent at a 90-degree angle and pump them vigorously back and forth as you stride. Power walkers also move their feet smoothly from heel to toe while striding ahead. Doing this correctly engages
your whole body, including your core muscles, raises your heart rate, and burns more calories. A brisk walk elevates fat-burning hormones. According to Health.com, an hour of power walking uses more than 500 calories, compared with the 340 calories burned by a brisk walker and the 238 calories consumed by a casual stroller. Power walking is also easier on the joints than running. Power walkers’ feet never leave the ground at the same time, while runners’ feet repeatedly strike the ground with greater force. People who take frequent, vigorous walks reap almost as many health benefits as runners, according to a peer- reviewed 2013 study by researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Hartford Hospital. Another study found that runners and vigorous walkers showed similar reductions in the
risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease. Vigorous exercise also reduces such mental health problems as depression and anxiety, according to a 2006 study. To get the most out of a power walk, keep your chin up and focus your eyes on a point about 10 feet ahead of you to lengthen your stride. Pull your abdomen muscles in toward your spine. Tighten your glutes to help propel you ahead. Follow these rules of good form and swing your arms while striding energetically ahead, Avara says, and you will get a workout worth doing!
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