Horizon PT - July 2018

physical therapy and rehabilitation July 2018

3600 Miller Road, Flint, MI 48503 • 810.620.8042 • horizonptflint.com

FREEDOM OF CHOICE What Do You Celebrate on the 4th?

In school, we’re taught the Fourth of July is a day to remember when the American colonies declared their independence against British rule. Over 240 years later, we celebrate with fireworks, parades, family gatherings, and, in my family, a summer cookout complete with baby back ribs, polish sausage, chicken and Hawaiian rolls. My family’s Fourth of July usually consists of a family gathering followed by watching fireworks. While the historical significance of Independence Day is important, I believe we should celebrate the freedoms that play an active role in our lives today. “To me, independence and Independence Day are about the ability to have choice.” Freedom demands ongoing action. It’s not one and done. Our nation’s history is full of instances of people demanding their freedoms over and over again. Even today, service members continue to fight and die to protect our freedoms here and across the world. Fourth of July is about so much more than the one time a bunch of guys stood around and signed a document. To me, independence and Independence Day are about the ability to have choice. Being truly independent means that you can make the choices that will lead to the greatest amount of happiness in your life, provided your choices do not take away another person’s ability to choose. Choice is a very big responsibility, and we have to use our freedom of choice wisely. Every decision we make has an impact on our life, positive or negative. Right now, it’s very popular to become an entrepreneur. People often go into business for themselves because they like the freedom that comes with not having to answer to a boss. But entrepreneurs have to be responsible with that freedom. When no one is telling you to work, you can easily choose not to work, or not to work as hard as you should. Then you are left with the consequences of that choice, like not having enough money to pay your bills.

As a physical therapist, I see people all the time who are making the choice to take care of their health. They have lived in pain, and instead of closing in on themselves and staying home, they are committed to getting better. My patients have decided to go through the hard work that comes with overcoming pain, because they know that’s what it will take to enjoy more freedoms in the future. Their choice means one day they can go back to work, enjoy a picnic, visit the beach with their family, or just walk across the roomwithout being in constant pain. I greatly admire them for this choice and am proud to help them get there, every step of the way. I wish all of you a happy Fourth of July. May you have the choice to spend your holiday how you want and to celebrate with the people you love.

-Dr. Jerome Adams

810.620.8042

Published by The Newsletter Pro . www.TheNewsletterPro.com

Learning That Doesn’t Feel Like School Every summer, parents across the country have to deal with the same delicate problem. They want to make sure their kids continue to learn without feeling like they’re being assigned tasks. After all, summer homework is every child’s worst nightmare. Luckily, you don’t have to rely onmath problems and book reports to keep your child’s development from taking a two-month vacation. Here are a few mentally stimulating activities that are as educational as they are fun. creativity, time management, and more. Even better, it doesn’t feel like learning; it feels like fun. Encourage your older children to take the reins for preparing regular meals throughout the summer. You can pick guiding themes, like “a trip to Mexico” or “pasta party,” but let them choose the recipes and prep the meals on their own.

For the Entire Family: An Educational Field Trip Field trips always inspire excitement in students, and you’ll find the same goes for your family members. You can tailor your destination to the interests of your kids for maximum engagement. If you have a family of art lovers, head to a museum for some inspiration and discussion. Kids who prefer the outdoors will enjoy a nature walk or hike. You can bring along a field guide to identify flora and fauna. These trips may not pack the thrill of a water park, but they’re fun in an entirely different way.

For Little Ones: Homemade Bubbles Bubbles fascinate young children, so why not spend a day making your own solution and experimenting by blowing different types of bubbles? The formula is simple: 1 part dish soap (Dawn or Joy work best) to 10 parts water. Optionally, you can also include 1/4 part glycerin. The process of making the solution will teach ratios, and finding creative ways to blow bubbles fosters problem-solving skills and creative thinking. For Teenagers: Family Dinner Party Cooking teaches so many important skills: math, science, nutrition, concentration, cultural understanding, following directions,

A Pain-Free Tomorrow OUR PAT I ENTS SAY I T BEST

“Due to a knee injury and surgery, I was in need of a solid place for my therapy. Upon arrival, the staff went out of their way to help me through the process. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming; Dr. Adams and his assistant therapists, Ron and Ashley, helped me throughout my recovery. I’m now able to return to work and live a pain- free life. Thank you for the care, compassion, and professionalism. I definitely will recommend Horizon Physical Therapy for any rehabilitation needs.”

“In August 2017, I had ACL reconstruction surgery on my left knee. I began physical therapy about a week post-op and started seeing results right away. I reached full range of motion early on and four months later have maintained it while building up strength and confidence in my knee. Dr. Adams, Ron, and Ashley provide knowledgeable therapy with a relaxed and committed atmosphere. Their guidance surely helped me with my recovery thus far, and I will take it with me as I continue toward a complete recovery. I would give a full recommendation for Horizon Physical Therapy.”

–Jerome A.

–David D.

horizonptflint.com

TOO YOUNG FOR ARTHRITIS?

When parents believe only older adults suffer from arthritis, they often fail to seek the treatment their child needs. They assume any pain their

Did you know that cracking knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis? Despite what your mom claimed, popping your knuckles doesn’t lead to long- term joint problems. There are a lot of myths surrounding arthritis, including the idea that arthritis is only a problem for seniors. Children can also suffer from a condition called juvenile arthritis. July is National Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, so let’s take a look at what parents need to know about this troubling disease. Most children who are diagnosed with arthritis develop juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Children with JIA often suffer from enlarged lymph nodes, inflammation around the lining of the heart, or a severe rash. A less common form of juvenile arthritis is polyarticular arthritis, which attacks five or more joints within the first six weeks of diagnosis. Though both forms of arthritis will impact a child’s joints, they often manifest first as pain, swelling, and inflammation of the muscles, gastrointestinal tract, skin, eyes, and kidneys. Researchers have yet to determine what causes juvenile arthritis, though there are a number of environmental and prenatal factors that could increase a child’s risk of developing arthritis:

son or daughter experiences is the result of a typical childhood injury that will heal on its own. But without proper treatment, the child will continue to suffer from the pain of juvenile arthritis for the rest of their life. Fortunately, parents do not need to subject their child to NSAIDs or steroid injections that can weaken bones, tendons, and ligaments. Specialized physical therapy can help a child relieve pain and enjoy a better quality of life. A physical therapist can teach a child to move and perform tasks in a way that doesn’t cause pain, instruct parents about ergonomic measures to improve their child’s lifestyle, and recommend dietary supplements to help a childmeet their nutrition needs. The best way to prevent permanent damage to a child’s joints and tissues is through early diagnosis of juvenile arthritis. Don’t assume your child’s pain will go away with time, and don’t let myths about arthritis prevent your child from getting the care they need.

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Certain antibiotics

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Smoking

Caffeine usage

Poor nutrition during pregnancy

C-section

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Alcohol

Lack of breastfeeding

Have a Laugh

Watermelon Salad

Ingredients

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8 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes

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1/4 cup fresh lime juice 1 pinch of cayenne pepper 1/2 cup mint leaves, torn

Salt to taste

Directions

1. In a large mixing or salad bowl, toss

watermelon with lime juice and cayenne pepper.

2. Gently fold in mint leaves. 3. Sprinkle with salt and serve.

Inspired by Food &Wine magazine

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3600 Miller Road Flint, MI 48503

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THIS ISSUE Inside

Freedom and Choice

Summer-Worthy Learning Opportunities

Our Patients Say It Best

Is Your Child Suffering From Arthritis?

Watermelon Salad

The History of Hot Dogs and Burgers

This American Grub

How Hot Dogs and Hamburgers Became National Treasures

food for a nation suddenly living on a tight budget. By the 1930s, hot dogs had become so unquestionably American that Franklin Roosevelt famously served them to King George VI during his royal visit in 1939. The Burger Like the hot dog, the exact origin of the beef patty’s eventual “sandwiching” is lost to history. Once again, it was German immigrants who brought their recipes for “Hamburg steak” with them across the Atlantic, but reports vary as to who first sold the meat patty inside a bun. Multiple diners and fairgrounds across America claim to be the home of the first hamburger. All of these claims date to the turn of the 20th century, a time when our nation was faced with feeding a growing working class quickly and cheaply. By the 1950s, the burger had become a symbol of the American everyman. Both the hot dog and hamburger embody the history of our nation. Immigrant traditions merged with blue-collar needs to create two uniquely American foods. It’s fitting that we celebrate America’s birthday with the grub that has grown along with it.

If your plans for this Independence Day involve firing up the barbecue, you’ll probably be cooking two American

classics: hot dogs and hamburgers. Come the Fourth of July, families will be grilling up burgers and dogs from sea to shining sea, but it wasn’t always this way. The story of how beef patties and sausages became culinary symbols of our nation will give you plenty of food for thought. The Hot Dog It was German immigrants who brought the “frankfurter” and the “wienerwurst” to American soil in the 1800s. There is much debate over who first decided to place one of these franks in a bun, but by the opening of the 20th century, hot dog stands had popped up all over the Eastern Seaboard. We do know the identity of the man who took the hot dog’s popularity to a national level: Nathan Handwerker. A Jewish immigrant from Poland, Nathan sliced buns for a hot dog stand on Coney Island. After scraping together enough money, he quit his job and opened a stand of his own, undercutting his former employer’s prices by half. Not only did Nathan’s hot dogs outsell the competition, the Great Depression made them the perfect