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THE REAL HEROES AROUND HERE
We work with many patients who participate in athletic events for charities and get hurt while training. It’s always so gratifying when we help them heal because it means they can be part of something that’s so meaningful. Another patient wanted to try salsa dancing, but their knee hurt. We broke down the movements involved in salsa dancing to get to the root of their knee pain and prevent it. I’ve also gotten to learn about traditional Indian dance thanks to my patients. I have a patient whose goal is to run 3 miles every day, no matter how old they get. Others come in and say they want to get 1,000 miles in for the year, and they want to make sure they can achieve it. We get to have a peek at people’s goals and then help them become attainable. When it comes to dealing with pain, you essentially have three options: 1.) You can live with it and allow it to dictate what you do, knowing it may lead to less and less functionality. 2.) You can medicate it and live in that cycle. 3.) You can address the pain and try to change it permanently. Anyone who walks through our door has chosen option three. They are taking charge and addressing their pain head-on. For taking that step, our patients have all my admiration. They are the real heroes around here. 1 -Maureen Madden 425-497-8180 | WWW.PTPRO.BIZ
He came to physical therapy because he was experiencing back pain. It was only through working with him one on one that we learned about his chickens and how his back pain was preventing him from caring for them. When he graduated from PT, he brought us fresh eggs and the picture of him with his chickens. This isn’t the first time we learned about what a patient really cares about through getting to know them as a person. Another patient came in to physical therapy because he’d started experiencing shoulder pain that was hampering his work. We talked more, and he shared that what he really missed was archery. So we started doing exercises based on movements you do in archery. He actually started getting better faster because these were movements his body was used to. He also taught me how to do a proper stance in archery. We were able to tap into his love of archery to help him get better and get back to work. It was a super cool experience to see his passion for archery come through during physical therapy. As physical therapists, we’re here to understand what our patients love to do and help them get back to it. Once we know what their favorite activity is, we can break it down mechanically and put that puzzle together. It helps us to know what you do for enjoyment because, let’s face it, you want to do more of that. Another patient was experiencing back pain, and their passion is virtual reality video games. We were able to break down the movements and postures they use while playing video games and help them get back to their favorite activity pain-free.
“If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving.” –Martin Luther King Jr. “Once you choose hope, anything is possible.” –Christopher Reeve
At our clinic, we have a hallway filled with pictures of patients. There are pictures of the pro athletes we’ve treated — golf stars, basketball pros, and ski racers — and pictures of the folks who’ve summited mountains after physical therapy — Mount Rainier and Mount Fiji. They worked so hard to get back on the field or reach their epic goals. But our favorite picture, hands down, is of a patient with his chickens. This patient reminds us what our work is all about: getting people back to what they love to do, whether it’s running a marathon or caring for your chickens.
MAKE THE MOST OF RAFTING SEASON And Enjoy a Day on the Water With These Tips S ure, August doesn’t mark the official beginning of summer, celebrate our nation’s independence, or give will have a dry box where you can store food and other items that need to remain moisture-free.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN. It might seem counterintuitive to wear anything other than a swimsuit on a hot day on the river, but in most cases, you’ll be exposed to full sun while on the water, so covering up is crucial to preventing sunburns. Opt for a hat, sunglasses, and materials that will dry quickly. Rashguards and button-down shirts make great top layers, and long skirts, longer shorts, or yoga pants on chillier days are all good options as well. BRING PLENTY OF WATER AND FOOD. One of the many fun aspects of rafting is spending a day — or even multiple days — on the river. Make sure you bring plenty of reusable bottles filled with water for hydration. Depending on how long you’ll be gone, you may want to pack a meal or two along with plenty of snacks that are easy to eat on the river. Most rafts
us a three-day weekend. But it offers something just as great: the best time of the year to be on the river. For rafting enthusiasts, the warm and dry weather in August means water levels are lower, and rivers can be a bit tamer than earlier in the season. This also makes August the perfect time for new rafters to try the activity. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your day on the river. GOWITH AN EXPERIENCED GUIDE. If you’re planning to tackle any type of whitewater, it’s crucial that you go with an experienced raft guide. Whitewater can be dangerous, and only someone who knows how to expertly navigate rapids will be able to ensure you have an enjoyable, thrilling experience instead of a dangerous one.
As you set out on the river, enjoy the solitude of connecting to nature away from the hubbub of the rest of the world.
EXERCISE OF THE MONTH “90-90 Prolonged Hold”
Why: This is a great way to get your deep core muscles firing! It can be a less intense (upside down) version of the plank, but it can really get you working! You can get an abdominal muscle work out while still supporting your back. How: Lay on your back on a firm surface, draw your knees up to 90 degrees (or a bit further if you are a beginner). Keeping your back flat against the floor push on your knees at a slightly upward angle and HOLD for up to 30 seconds and repeat 3 times. You should feel the work in your abs NOT your low back. Hang in there even if you start to shake — that’s how you get to the deeper muscles.
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HOW CHRIS GOT BACK TO THE ACTIVITIES HE LOVES Dedication and Persistence
WORLD’S BEST VEGAN CHIMICHURRI
Ingredients
Inspired by Simple Vegan
As we know, part of living an active lifestyle means sometimes getting hurt. For Chris Long, an avid dirt biker, skier, mountain biker, and overall outdoor enthusiast, this has been the only downside to being as active and adventurous as he is. Fortunately, that also means we’ve gotten to know Chris pretty well over the years and have always been happy to help him get back to his outdoor pursuits. He first came to see us when he was recovering from knee surgery, and despite the discomfort he experienced at the time, Chris says our physical therapists made everything easy on him. “It was a painless process,” Chris says. “They made it all easy — dealing with forms, insurance, the exercises. When I did my intake, they were interested in the whole, not just the particular injury. They wanted to know my background and all the things that might contribute to therapy and recovery. They didn’t just focus on my knee but took a holistic perspective and treated my whole body.” Over the years, Chris has returned to PT Pro anytime an injury or pain comes up. “I’ve seen most of the PTs here. They’ve seen everyone in my family, too,” he says with a laugh. “Everyone is extremely knowledgeable. It’s a great set of people. They get to know you and what you want to accomplish. The facilities are great, too. They have so many tools that can help you along that therapy path.” Chris appreciates that even when he makes an appointment with a different physical therapist, they know everything about his injury and recovery. “You can see any of them without feeling like you’re starting over,” Chris says. “The treatment is seamless.” Of course, there’s a key part of Chris’ recovery that isn’t up to us. “PT Pro is great about giving you everything you need to succeed — if you need bands to take home or exercises to do. But if you want to recover, get back to your passion, and have a healthy lifestyle, we as patients have to put in the work to do it.” Like Chris says, the fact that he’s been able to heal is really thanks to his diligence and determination when it comes to sticking with his PT at home and doing the exercises we give him. We may be the coaches and guides, but our hard-working patients are inspiring.
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2 tbsp dried oregano
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1/2 cup oil (extra-virgin olive oil recommended) 1/4 cup vinegar (apple cider vinegar recommended) 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 tsp salt (Himalayan pink salt recommended)
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1/4 tsp ground black pepper
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Cayenne pepper, to taste
Directions
1. In a bowl, add all ingredients except cayenne and whisk until well mixed. If desired, add cayenne pepper a little at a time until you reach your preferred level of spiciness. 2. Serve immediately or, for an even better taste and texture, refrigerate for 1–2 days. 3. You may increase the batch size, but keep the ratio of oil and vinegar the same — 2-to-1. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months.
“Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.” –Vivian Komori
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2569 152nd Ave NE Redmond, WA 98052
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425-497-8180
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The People I Admire Most
Make the Most of Rafting Season
Exercise of the Month
Patient Success Story
World’s Best Vegan Chimichurri
Try Something New This Month
LEARN A NEW HOBBY
To Bring More Joy to Your Life
online classes this summer. You can find more at UnexpectedProductions.org/classes. The Global Play Brigade (GlobalPlayBrigade. com) also offers free workshops and playtime for people to build some of the skills that are taught in improv. PHOTOGRAPHY Photography can be an amazing form of self-expression and a way to tap into your creativity. Many photographers are offering virtual courses to help you build your skills, including Seattle photographer Steven Hansen. Whether you want to learn more about food photography, taking pictures outdoors, or how to take better photos of family, friends, or pets, there’s probably a course for it. You can find some good options on Eventbrite, CreativeLive, and Hansen’s website: SteveHansenVisuals.com. Many other photographers are offering great courses as well.
community to try something new. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
SALSA DANCING Dancing of any kind is an instant mood booster, and learning how to do a new type can give your mind and body a workout. La Clave Cubana Salsa here in Seattle has been offering online classes to help people learn the basics of salsa, no partner required. They teach traditional salsa, which has roots in Afro-Cuban and Caribbean cultures. Visit their website at ClaveCubanaSeattle.com/ classes to learn more. IMPROVISATION You don’t need to be an actor or comedian to get a lot from improv. It’s a hobby that will help you say “yes, and” to life, improve your communication, and, most of all, remember how to play again. One local theater here in Seattle, Unexpected Productions, is offering
4 425-497-8180 | WWW.PTPRO.BIZ and the amazing activities they do, we are encouraging one another and our Have you ever thought about trying an improv class? How about giving pickleball a go? Maybe you’ve wanted to try something new but haven’t quite known where to start. This month, inspired by our patients
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