The
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973.812.8000 www.flexptnj.com July 2017
Employee Spotlight Meet Alyssa Ramos!
Hello, everyone! As many of you know, my name is Alyssa Ramos, and I am a physical therapy aide at Flex PT. This month, I am excited to share a bit about my life and my goals as a future physical therapist with you. I have been working as a physical therapy aide for five years. I graduated with honors from Quinnipiac University with a bachelor’s degree in health science studies and a minor in psychology. I am currently working toward a doctoral degree in physical therapy from Kean University, and I recently started my second year of physical therapy school. This summer, I will be in Yonkers, New York, to complete my full-time clinical affiliation. During high school, I had a job as an EMT in my hometown. Though I was only 16 at the time, both of my parents had worked as EMTs at that age, and I knew it was a great opportunity to get my foot in the medical field door. I have always loved physical fitness, and I take good care of my body, so I knew I wanted to pursue a career where I could combine medicine and physical fitness. I decided to declare an athletic training major when I enrolled in college. already completed a physical therapy clinical, and I assumed that the fields were essentially the same. I was wrong. I found that physical therapy is much more fast-paced than athletic training, which is something I needed out of a career. I realized that as an athletic trainer, I had to wait for athletes to get hurt before I had a patient to treat. On the other hand, physical therapists have more consistent After two years of athletic training, I began to start my athletic training clinicals. I had
interactions with patients, enabling them to
develop deeper relationships with the people they serve. This was important to me, so I knew I needed to make the switch.
After I graduate physical therapy school, I will enter the workforce, and I hope to stay local. Preferably, I would love to work with an outpatient geriatric population, like I have had the pleasure of working with at Flex PT. My favorite part about being a physical therapist aide — and eventually a physical therapist — is the clientele. I love going to a job where I can build relationships with my patients. Dr. Lagonigro books only a few patients in each time slot, which allows me to spend quality time with each one of the patients. Physical therapy is about building rapport and helping your patients get better. When you’re given a lot of time to spend with each patient, they trust you more. You are able to learn about them and grow alongside them. In the future, I hope to work with my patients as much as I can. Ultimately, I would love to manage a clinic and play a role in administration. Maybe I will even teach someday! Above all, I am looking forward to working hands-on with my patients, and my clinical affiliation this summer is a great start.
When you’re given a lot of time to spend with each patient, they trust you more. You are able to learn about them and grow alongside them.
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You don’t get paid enough to afford all the groceries you’d like. In fact, if it wasn’t for coupons, you wouldn’t be able to get everything you need, right? Coupon clipping is a time-honored way of saving money and a source of pride amongst many of us who need those paychecks to go as far as possible. But there are two ways to look at it: as a way to put food on the table that you otherwise couldn’t afford, or as a way to trick money- conscious consumers into buying stuff they normally wouldn’t. Which takeaway describes your situation? To find out, you have to answer two questions. The first question is, “Do I need — and will I use — everything that I buy with coupons?” Here’s the thing: Coupons are designed to affect you psychologically. It turns out that the same part of your brain that governs basic instincts (like hunger and pleasure) also loves a screaming good deal. It can be hard to resist the allure, and that means you often spend money on things that you normally wouldn’t, because
you have a coupon. It’s tough, but stick to the staples — like rice, beans, oats, and salt — that you’ll use eventually and that won’t go bad. Of course, if you’ve wanted something for a long time and it goes on sale, it makes sense to buy. But don’t let the coupon section dictate your desires! The second question is, “How much is my time worth, and how much of that time do I spend hunting down the best deals and clipping coupons?” We’re not trained to think of our time as valuable when we aren’t working, but time is the one thing you can’t get back. If you’re saving $25 a week on stuff you actually need, but it takes 4 hours a week to get that savings, you’re losing money even if you make minimum wage. That’s time you could be spending with family, picking up a half-shift at work, or finding innovative ways to make money. We won’t deny that there are great deals out there — deals that are now more available than ever thanks to apps like
Groupon. But don’t mistake coupons for anything but what they really are: businesses trying to trick your brain into buying more stuff. Use them wisely, but don’t let them rule you.
Testimonials
When I first came to therapy, I was very nervous and stressed, as I had never experienced so much back pain and immobility ever before. However, frommy first visit, I felt the calmness and positive energy that pulses throughout the facility. I felt verywelcome and sincere concern for my discomfort. The assistants were very helpful and accommodating and always checking that I was doing okay. The therapist never rushed andwas immediately able to identifymy specific trouble spots. Through massage and other techniques, I was greatly improved. My pain went away, and I felt back to normal after only a fewweeks. I was so worried I would never be able to enjoy the holidays, but now theywill be the best ever.
— Elisabeth B.
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Correcting Golfer’s Elbow How Physical Therapy Can Help
Golfer’s elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is a condition that develops when the tendons on the inside of the forearm become irritated, inflamed, and painful due to repetitive use of the hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow. People of all ages enjoy golf, and all players are susceptible to developing this condition. Thankfully, physical therapy can help decrease the pain caused by medial epicondylitis and improve the elbow’s motion, strength, and function. Individuals with golfer’s elbow may experience: • Pain along the inside of the forearm with wrist, hand, or elbow movements. • Pain or numbness and tingling that radiates from the inside of the elbow down into the hand and fingers, with gripping or squeezing movements.
•
Weakness in the hand and forearm while attempting to grip.
•
Elbow stiffness.
If you do not get proper treatment as soon as you are diagnosed with golfer’s elbow, your tendons can begin to tear from lack of good blood supply. It is important to begin treatment as soon as possible to prevent further, more complicated injuries. After you are evaluated, your physical therapist will give you some restrictions to encourage the healing process. This, of course, means you must refrain from playing golf, but it may also mean restrictions in your daily activities or work duties. From there, your physical therapist will create a custom treatment plan. Your individual treatment plan will most likely include pain management, manual therapy, range-of-motion
exercises, strengthening exercises, patient education, and functional training. Specifically, your physical therapist will teach you exercises that will help you regain full motion in your elbow, while simultaneously strengthening the muscles in the area. You may even learn how to adjust your golf swing to prevent injury in the future. With your physical therapist’s help, you’ll soon be back to putting on the green.
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Tenderness to touch and swelling along the inside of the forearm.
5 -Minute Meditation As we enjoy the relaxing feeling of summer, take time to let go of any mental heaviness you may feel. Enjoy this meditation as a kickoff to your summer season. Begin by taking some natural breaths. Slowly start to deepen those breaths. Fill up the lower lungs and belly with each breath. With each inhale, take in cleansing light, and with each exhale, let go of any dense or heavy emotions. Start to visualize a new manifestation for yourself. Maybe it’s a fresh start with an area of your life. Take in that new thing with your inhales and let go of anything blocking your path to it with your exhales. Draw inspiration from the inhalations.
One-Pan Mexican Quinoa
•
1 cup corn kernels, frozen, canned, or roasted 1 teaspoon chili powder Salt and pepper to taste 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled, and diced ½ teaspoon cumin
Ingredients •
1 tablespoon olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced
• • • • •
• • • •
1 jalapeno, minced
1 cup quinoa
1 cup vegetable broth 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire- roasted diced tomatoes
• •
Juice of 1 lime
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions 1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and jalapeno and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. 2. Stir in quinoa, vegetable broth, beans, tomatoes, corn, chili powder, and cumin; season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until quinoa is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Stir in avocado, lime juice, and cilantro. 3. Serve immediately.
Continue the breath for as long as you need.
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Recipe adapted from DamnDelicious.net.
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333 Main Street Little Falls, NJ 07424
INSIDE • Meet Alyssa Ramos! PAGE 1
• We Do the Math on Coupon Clipping PAGE 2
• Testimonials PAGE 2
• Correcting Golfer’s Elbow PAGE 3
• One-Pan Mexican Quinoa PAGE 3
• The World’s Happiest Vacations PAGE 4
poll and the
square miles are filled to the brim with the wonders of nature.
United Nations’ annual World Happiness Report have plenty to offer in
The Happiest Country in theWorld
addition to cheerful locals.
Denmark has long been the standard- bearer in this category. This year, it relinquished the title to its Scandinavian sister. Norway is home to some of the most breathtaking vistas on earth, most notably its western fjords like the world- famous Geirangerfjord and Nærøfjord. For the city wanderer, you’ll find choice seaside restaurants and walkable streets in towns like Bergen, the country’s second-largest city, which sports rainbow architecture and a 15th-century waterfront. Knowing the heart of a destination begins and ends with its people. Tack on beautiful scenery and daydream-worthy activities, and you just found yourself the perfect vacation.
The Happiest States in the U.S.
Visit a hustling, bustling tourist trap and what do you get? Crowds of competitive travelers and a local population that is
If we were to tell you that Hawaii is the happiest state in the country, you probably wouldn’t be surprised. And sure enough, Hawaii ranked first in overall happiness for the sixth consecutive year. The sunny beaches, rich culture, and perfect weather give tourists a taste of paradise that the natives enjoy all year long. Next in line is a state that has little in common with the Aloha State. Alaska came in second place for the third consecutive year. With eight national parks, including Denali, Glacier Bay, and Gates of the Arctic, Alaska’s 663,000
sick to death of them. Visit a place with happy people, and you get good service, friendly faces, and you’ll learn firsthand what Harvard researchers affirmed in a 2012 study: Happiness is contagious.
Luckily for the average traveler, the places that topped a nationwide Gallup
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