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Focus Physical Therapy Bi-Monthly
October/November 2025
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949.709.8770
Guess Who’s Joining the Focus PT Family? Lakeside PT Joins Forces With Focus Physical Therapy!
We have some major news to share here at Focus Physical Therapy, and what better time than October, aka National Physical Therapy Month? Our crew just got a little bigger and a whole lot stronger. We’re thrilled to welcome the incredible team from Lakeside PT to our Focus Physical Therapy family! If you've ever driven just eight minutes from our clinic, you've probably passed their former office. And now, they’re joining forces with us under one roof, and we couldn’t be more excited. Lakeside PT brings three talented and passionate professionals: Fred Kim, the owner and highly experienced physical therapist, and two skilled PT techs. That’s a whole lot of experience, knowledge, and energy now working right here at Focus.
Fred ran his own solo practice for 15 years, and it shows in the care and precision he brings to his work. He's a USC grad with a hands- on approach that aligns perfectly with our philosophy at Focus PT. When I first posted a listing for a new therapist, I had no idea it would lead to this incredible collaboration. Fred reached out, and as we talked, it became clear that our styles and standards were practically identical. From how we approach treatment to the overall experience we give our patients, the fit was seamless. Now that we’re all together, our patients will benefit in more ways than one. More therapists means shorter wait times. You’ll have more flexibility in scheduling and less time between appointments. If you’ve ever had to juggle your calendar to get in a visit, you’ll appreciate the ease that comes with a bigger team. We’ll also be able to offer you expanded services and expertise. While we already provide a broad range of treatments, Lakeside brings even more to the table. Their team has additional experience in techniques like cupping and other manual therapy modalities that complement our existing services. You’re getting more tools in your recovery toolbox all under one roof. Of course, you can expect the same high- quality care but with more hands to provide it. Our focus has always been one-on-one
care, and that’s not changing. In fact, with a bigger team, we can make sure even more patients get the focused attention they deserve. Lakeside's hands-on approach matches ours perfectly, so you can expect a seamless transition and the same treatment you know and trust. At the heart of this change is one simple goal: helping more people move, feel, and live better. That’s why we’re here and so excited about what’s ahead. We know trust is earned, and for our current patients, we want to reassure you we’re still the same Focus PT team you’ve come to rely on. Now, we’re just more powerful. For new patients or those coming from Lakeside PT, welcome! You’re in good hands. So, as we celebrate National Physical Therapy Month, we’re also celebrating a new chapter in our journey that allows us to reach more people, provide even better care, and build a stronger, healthier community. So, if you stop by and see some new faces around the clinic, be sure to say hello. We’re still the same Focus PT you know and trust, just stronger, smarter, and ready to help more of our community thrive.
–Julian Manrique
Focus Physical Therapy • Call 949.709.8770 • 1
THE MENTAL SHIFT BEHIND BETTER EATING You Need a New Dialogue, Not a New Diet
You’ve tossed the junk food. You’ve Googled "healthy recipes." You’ve sworn off dessert … again. But despite your best intentions, your late-night snack turns into a secret sugar rendezvous. What gives? It’s not your willpower. It’s your mindset. Healthy eating has less to do with your stomach and more with what’s happening between your ears. The beliefs you carry
about food, those quiet little thoughts that zip through your brain unconsciously, are the real drivers of your habits. Take this classic thought: “I have to eat healthy all the time.” Sounds noble, but it feels like a punishment or a need for perfection, which is exhausting and unsustainable. Every time you think this, try swapping it with: “I get to choose how I nourish myself.” That simple shift puts you back in the driver’s seat, steering you toward empowerment, not burnout. Or maybe you’ve told yourself, “I have terrible eating habits.” That’s not a fact, it’s judgment. A better spin? “ I have habits I’m ready to upgrade.” Now you’re someone on a mission, not someone stuck in shame.
gives you a sugar rush and a dopamine blip, but that’s not joy; it’s a high. Repeat this thought instead: “Food can comfort me in the moment, but real happiness comes from deeper places.” Now you’re seeking peace, not pie. Do you feel out of control and think, “I can’t stop eating” ? Yes, you can. You own your arms, your fork, and your next move. Remind yourself: “I may want more, but I choose when to stop.” That’s strength and autonomy. And when you slip? Don’t spiral. Instead of “I shouldn’t have,” ask: “What can I learn for next time?” Growth is always on the table; you just have to reach for it. So, yes, eating well starts with vegetables. But thriving? That starts with your thoughts. Flip your mindset, and you won’t just eat better; you’ll feel better, too.
Then there’s the emotional trap: “Eating makes me happy.” Spoiler: It doesn’t. It
WHAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SAYING ...
The biggest compliment you can give us is referring friends and family. Thank you for all of your referrals and keep them coming! We love our clients!
"Thank you again and your wonderful staff for rehabilitating my right shoulder. Prior to visiting I was in constant pain and unable to lift my arm above my head. With your thorough analysis and development of a healing program coupled with Michelle's helpful massages, and Gerado and Hank putting me through the exercises and being 'hands-on' making sure I was doing them correctly my pain is gone and my shoulder is much better. You and Focus help people heal which is a wonderful skill. You make people feel better. If I ever need work again I will call you. I have no reservations in recommending your services. Thank you again." –Chip O “As is the case in previous physical therapy for various injuries, I experienced a tremendous positive response on this occasion to rehab on my ankle following surgery six months ago. I have enjoyed getting strength, stability, and a great range of motion in my ankle thanks to Mat, Lindsey and all of the PT assistants I worked with. I very much appreciate the patience of all of the Focus Team and their expertise in getting me back to my former level of functions!” –Louis A.
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• Focus Physical Therapy • Call 949.709.8770
$10
Your Back-Friendly Guide to Thanksgiving Cooking
From Oven to Table Without the Aches and Pains
Thanksgiving is a time for comfort food and gathering with the people you love, but for many of us, it also means hours spent hunched over a cutting board or standing at the stove. While your turkey might come out perfectly golden, your back and shoulders may feel more roasted than rested. Fortunately, this year can be different with a few smart tweaks! TAKE BREAKS BETWEEN BITES. It’s easy to get into a rhythm in the kitchen when you’re focused on peel, chop, stir, repeat. But standing for hours in one position can cause real strain, especially
if your posture slips. Every 30–45 minutes, take a moment to step away. Sit down, roll your shoulders, or stretch your back. These micro-breaks can make a major difference in how you feel at the end of the day. PREP SMART AND SIT DOWN. No rule says all food prep has to be done on your feet. If you’re chopping vegetables, measuring ingredients, or shelling nuts, pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable. Use a cushion for lower back support and make sure your workspace is at a safe, easy-to-reach level. It’s not lazy; it’s efficient and safer for your spine. CUSHION YOUR STEP. Standing on hard kitchen floors adds pressure to your knees, hips, and back. An anti-fatigue mat can absorb some of that stress and make long cooking sessions much more comfortable. If you can, keep a second mat near the sink or oven so you’re always standing on supportive ground. AIR-FRIED KOREAN CHILI CAULIFLOWER
STAY CLOSE TO COUNTERS. Leaning forward toward your countertop is the fast track to shoulder and back pain. Stand close to your workspace and bring bowls or utensils toward you. Keep your posture upright and engage your core while standing. Small adjustments like these protect your body and keep you from slouching all the way to dessert. KEEP MOVING BEYOND THE KITCHEN. Even during the hustle and bustle of the holidays, movement matters. Light exercise, even just a daily walk, helps keep your back and core muscles strong and flexible enough to support you through busy, activity-filled days. If holiday prep leaves you sore or you struggle with ongoing pain, don’t brush it off. Contact our team to learn how physical therapy can help you move and feel better this season and beyond.
HAVE A LAUGH
Inspired by TYBerryMuch.com
Ingredients
1. Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir in seltzer until thick. 2. Coat cauliflower in batter and spray or brush with oil. 3. Air fry at 400 F for 15–17 minutes, flipping halfway. 4. In a blender, add sauce ingredients (except cornstarch) and blend until smooth. 5. Take out 1/4 cup of sauce and mix with cornstarch until clumps are gone. 6. Into a pan on medium-low, pour remaining sauce. Add cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened. 7. Toss cooked cauliflower with sauce, garnish, and serve. Directions
• 1 1/2 cup gluten- free flour • 2 tbsp cornstarch • 1 tbsp baking powder • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp garlic powder • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1 3/4 cups cold seltzer water • 2 medium heads of cauliflower, cut into florets • Cooking spray or oil
Sauce • 1/2 cup
maple syrup • 6 tbsp soy sauce • 1/4 cup brown sugar • 5 tbsp gochujang • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 1 tbsp sesame oil • 2 tbsp cornstarch • Chopped green
onion, sesame seeds, and lime (for garnish)
Focus Physical Therapy • Call 949.709.8770 • 3
30212 Tomas, Ste. 120 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
949.709.8770
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Focuspt.net
SPECIALIZING IN: LOWER BACK PAIN • SCIATICA • NECK PAIN AND HEADACHES HIP PROBLEMS • SHOULDER PAIN, BURSITIS, AND TENDINITIS SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPY • GOLF PERFORMANCE KNEE PAIN • PLANTAR FASCIITIS • DIZZINESS AND VERTIGO AQUATIC PHYSICAL THERAPY • AND OTHER CONDITIONS
This National Physical Therapy Month, We’ve Got Big News! Stop Sabotaging Your Plate and Start Rewriting Your Thoughts What Our Patients Are Saying Cooking Up Comfort: How to Keep Pain Off the Menu This Thanksgiving Air-Fried Korean Chili Cauliflower Easy Halloween Fun for Kids (Without Losing Your Mind) 1 2 3 4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Fun, Not Fussy Nail Halloween With Minimal Effort
tiny trinkets, toss in a glow stick bracelet or glow-in-the-dark sticker, and scatter them in the yard or house. With the lights off and flashlights on, it’s like Halloween hide and seek! COSTUME CREATION STATION You can forget the overpriced store-bought outfits that tear before dinner on Halloween night. Set up a costume creation corner with old clothes, cardboard boxes, fabric scraps, and safe accessories. Let the kids go wild designing their own characters. These can be superheroes, TV characters, animals, or fun foods. PUMPKIN PAINTING PARTY Carving can be fun, but it’s not always kid- friendly. Painting pumpkins is safer, cleaner, and just as festive. Grab some nontoxic
paints, markers, and stickers, and let your kids transform their pumpkins into silly, spooky, or sparkly works of Halloween art. HAUNTED STORY WALK Set up a path around your backyard or hallway with hidden story pages or flashlight stations. Each stop reveals part of a spooky (but age-appropriate) tale. For an extra- special touch, have an older sibling or adult dress up and narrate along the way.
Halloween has a way of sneaking up on you. One day, it’s back to school, and the next, you’re knee-deep in costume negotiations and candy debates. But here's the good news: You don’t need an over-the-top haunted house or a monthlong Pinterest board to make the holiday memorable. With a few simple ideas, you can turn Halloween into a tradition your kids look forward to without totally exhausting yourself! GLOW-IN-THE-DARK EGG HUNT Who says egg hunts are just for spring? Fill plastic eggs with small candies, stickers, or
SPOOKY SNACK LAB Host a kitchen “lab” where your little
monsters whip up their own creepy creations. Think monster trail mix, pretzel broomsticks, mummy-wrapped hot dogs, or bubbling punch with dry ice. The process is half the fun, and the mess is part of the Halloween magic.
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• Focus Physical Therapy • Focuspt.net
Grab a Free 3D Motion Screen Limited Spots Available! Free Screens and Therapy Discounts Expire End of October!
Big news! The incredible team at Lakeside PT is joining Focus PT , bringing even more expertise, services, and care. To celebrate their arrival and National Physical Therapy Month , we have special offers you won’t want to miss!
5 FREE 3D ADVANCED MOVEMENT SCREENS + 5 FOR 25% OFF Experience Kinetisense, the world’s most advanced 3D motion capture system. Using AI-powered, markerless assessments, we identify hidden weaknesses that could lead to falls or injuries and give you a road map to stay safe, independent, and confident.
10%–20% OFF STEMWAVE & LASER PACKAGES STEMWAVE™ Therapy: Deep tissue healing with acoustic waves. Reduces inflammation, eases chronic pain, and gets you moving faster. Most patients feel results in 1–2 sessions! The LASER Therapy: Class IV LightForce™ Laser delivers fast, painless recovery for sprains, strains, post-op care, and more. Relief in 5–10 minutes that lasts!
No downtime. Just real results.
These offers disappear at the end of October, so act fast! Call or text today (949-709-8770) to claim your spot and celebrate your movement with us.
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