PATIENT PULSE
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15373 Innovation Dr #175 | San Diego, CA 92128 | (858) 675-1133 12171 World Trade Dr | San Diego, CA 92128
THE MERRY WEDDING PRANKSTERS
How My Husband and His Friends Made Weddings a Riot
I hope your April Fools’ Day included a few good-natured laughs. I’ve never considered myself an expert at coming up with clever tricks, but whenever I think about our funniest holiday, I’m reminded of the legendary pranks my husband, James, and his friends would pull whenever a member of their friend group got married. You might think that a wedding is no place for a practical joke, but they were always tactful about their choices and never crossed the line. There were never any Whoopee Cushions at the ceremony is what I’m trying to say. Instead, they focused on providing a laugh to the new couple. In one instance, they got into the cupboards of a soon-to-be-wed pair and switched all the labels on their canned goods. When the couple was hankering for soup, they ended up with an open can of baked beans. I still wonder if they just resorted to restocking everything rather than playing a guessing game every time they reached for a can opener. When another of our friends got married, the gang of pranksters took advantage of a marquee near the venue. Instead of saying “Congratulations, Dan and Pat,” it read, “Copulations, Dan and Pat.” And they made sure that nobody drove by that marquee without taking stock of their editing skills. These are just a couple of the pranks that stick out most in my mind, but I’m sure I’m missing some good ones. Needless to say, when it came time for James and me to be married, I couldn’t help but wonder, “What do they have in store for us?” We made it through the ceremony and reception without any sign of a joke, but when we checked into our room that night, it didn’t take long for them to reveal themselves. Somehow — maybe they bribed the concierge — the boys had gotten access to our room and filled it with cheap Timex watches. They had set alarms to go off throughout the night at different times.
like to think that that watch has been going off at 2:30 a.m. and waking up everyone that stays in that room. Or at least it did until the battery died!
One final tradition was a custom bowling ball with an ankle bracelet attached — a ball and chain, if you will. During the reception, they would always shackle the groom’s ankle and provide his wife the key to open it. The couples’ names would be engraved on the bowling ball, and it would be passed on to a loved one. It’s been a while since James and I had it, and I don’t know where it is today. I’d like to think it’s still gathering names and providing laughs. As a physical therapist, I can’t quite agree with the maxim that laughter is always the best medicine. That said, I think it’s a crucial part of life and definitely doesn’t hurt. When I think back to my wedding, I remember the beauty and magic of that day ... but I also remember those Timex watches!
–Beth Scalone
As you can imagine, James and I scrambled to find all the watches we could. We managed to uncover all but one of the hiding spots. To this day, we
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DON’T MISS OUT ON THE BENEFITS OF PETS
We tend to picture
registered dog owners in Sweden had lower rates of cardiovascular disease and a lower risk of death than individuals without dogs.
energetic dogs and cats thriving in young families with children, but animals are often happy to live with older, less active adults. These kinds of homes are especially suited to older animals that might otherwise have to spend their last days in the pound. Depending on your schedule and mobility, you might not want to adopt a large dog. But small lap dogs, cuddly cats, and even
Physical fitness is far from the only benefit of pet ownership. The love and companionship our animal friends offer can alleviate depression or loneliness. Linda Anderson, founder of the Angel Animals Network in Minneapolis, says, “Older pet owners have often told us how incredibly barren and lonely their lives were without their pet’s companionship, even when there were some downsides to owning an active pet.” Caring for a pet takes work, but for many people, the benefits greatly outweigh the challenges. An energetic dog encourages you to leave the house and go for walks, a talkative parrot makes time spent alone less lonely, and a soft cat curled up on your lap helps alleviate a stressful day. If you can’t have a pet in your home due to lease restrictions or mobility challenges, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of being around animals. Consider volunteering at a local animal shelter. You can help care for cats, dogs, and other animals while they wait for their own forever home. There are thousands of pets in shelters across the country waiting for someone to care for them. If there’s room in your retirement plan, why not invite one into your home? You might discover both you and your new friend have something to gain.
birds can make a great addition to your home.
As long as you do not suffer from allergies, having a pet can be great for your health. The American Heart Association says pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, may be linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers found evidence to support this claim when they discovered that
BRITANI QUINDOZA
Britani Quindoza joined North County Water and Sports Therapy Center in 2014. A lifelong San Diegan, she graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Health Science in 2015. She currently serves as our front office assistant, but she’s previously worked as a physical therapy aide. Her knowledge of health, nutrition, and treatment allow her to bring a special expertise to the work she does every day. An Integral Part of Our Team For Britani, the most rewarding part of that work comes from her interactions with patients. She explains, “It’s never fun to see somebody in pain, but it’s amazing to watch them progress throughout treatment.” She also appreciates the environment created by the team. “It really is an inspiring atmosphere,” she notes. “Everyone believes in the power of physical therapy, and that enthusiasm allows us to deliver exceptional care.” When she’s not at work, Britani loves spending time with her family. She and her husband, Virgilio, have two beautiful children: 5-year-old Malakai and 2-year-old Leia. They recently moved to a new home, so there have been plenty of family game and movie nights. The new house, however, doesn’t stop them from exploring both close to home and farther afield.
Britani with her husband and family
everything San Diego has to offer.” They’re also avid campers and have already introduced their kids to the pleasures of nature. “Taking the whole family to Yosemite was a blast,” she recalls. “It’s awesome to know that we can share something we love with Malakai and Leia.” Britani is often the first face greeting our patients as they walk in the door. Her positive attitude, friendly demeanor, and passion for physical therapy are assets to our team. We’re lucky to have her on our staff. Be sure to say hi to Britani the next time you stop in.
“We like to think of ourselves as tourists in our hometown,” Britani says. “We love being outdoors, stand-up paddleboarding, and taking advantage of
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DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO IS SCHEDULED FOR JOINT-REPLACEMENT SURGERY? If you or someone you know is due to have surgery, pre-rehabilitation is recommended.
Do you want to avoid — or at least delay — joint replacement surgery? Keep reading!
What Is Pre-Rehabilitation? Pre-rehabilitation is the process of improving an individual’s functional capacity to enable him or her to withstand the stress and/or physical inactivity associated with a surgical or medical procedure. What Are The Benefits Of Pre-Rehabilitation? • Maximize your recovery. • Return to activity sooner. • Reduce risk of complications. A recent review of research in The Physician and Sportsmedicine (February 2018) found that pre- rehabilitation exercise reduced the length of postoperative hospital stays, improved knee motion, and improved the ability to get up from the chair after Each program is designed for the individual based on their unique problems and type of surgery. Each program contains the following components: • Education on what to expect after surgery. This includes activity restrictions, such as weight- bearing limitations or use of the extremity, and instructions on how to use an assistive device (cane or walker) if needed. undergoing a knee replacement. Components To Pre-Rehabilitation
• A safe, customized exercise program developed by a rehabilitation specialist for you. The goal is to maximize the body’s function without causing harm or further damage. Various types of exercise may be recommended. • Breathing exercises • Flexibility and stretching exercise • Strengthening • Cardiovascular/ aerobic • Stress reduction • Aquatic exercise How Does Aquatic Exercise Help? The buoyancy of water reduces the compressive, weight- bearing forces experienced on land, providing a safe environment to exercise before and after surgery. Further aiding in recovery, the hydrostatic pressure of water helps reduce swelling in the joints and increases blood flow to the muscles. The drag forces of water provide the resistance for strengthening. The experienced aquatic physical therapist will develop safe and effective exercises using all three of these properties of water to maximize your program. How Long Before Surgery Should I Begin? The sooner the better. Being healthier starts today. Not Sure If Pre-Rehabilitation Is Right For You? Call our office at 858-675-1133 to set up a free 15-minute consult with one of our doctors of physical therapy.
DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT — HEAR WHAT PATIENTS HAVE TO SAY.
“After dealing with knee pain for over three years with various medications, including anti- inflammatories and pain pills, my symptoms gradually got worse in July 2017. I then endured cortisone injections and Synvisc gel injections without any relief. Knee replacement was the next step. To my dismay, I had to wait seven months for the cortisone levels to get out of my system.
“I started therapy 2–3 times a week at the beginning of this year. Not knowing what to expect, I was evaluated by Ryann with the goals of gaining strength, learning the importance of posture, and gaining overall knowledge of knee rehabilitation. My surgery date was scheduled for March 1. “My surgery was a success, and I was up and out of bed and walking the halls within 90 minutes. I resumed PT the next week with Ryann and Jan, with very little pain and the help of a walker. To our surprise, I was able do my exercises with better range of motion, flexibility, and strength. Three weeks post-op, I can now walk freely around the house, including stairs, and I am using a cane for support otherwise. I have minimal swelling, I’m able to straighten my leg, and I have full range of motion! I am beyond the expectations of my doctor and physical therapists, and I have no doubt this would never have happened if I hadn’t started PT prior to surgery. I want to thank the staff at NCW&STC for their compassion and knowledge when motivating me to do what I needed to do. The hard work made my recovery so much smoother and faster than I ever could have imagined!” –Gilbert Hewitt “After about eight sessions with Jan and Ryann, I realized that although the therapy helped somewhat, surgery might be best. When I decided to schedule a total knee replacement, Ryann gave me a number of exercises to do, in addition to the existing program, in order to prepare for this surgery. “After surgery, the surgeon prescribed additional PT, and Ryann guided me through the postoperative phase (May–June 2017). Because of the additional exercises Ryann had me do, the postoperative therapy was easy, and I am well on my way to total knee recovery.” –Chris Sullivan
“During this waiting period, my pain increased, I was unable to walk any distance, I wasn’t sleeping, and I was unable to accomplish everyday tasks. I began looking for any type of relief possible — I even tried CBD ointments, oil, and vapors. With no relief, my wife suggested NCW&STC after her own success with them after major back surgery.
“I first started physical therapy at NCW&STC in Sept. 2016 after X-rays disclosed that I had “bone on bone” in my left knee. The orthopedic surgeon believed that the therapy might help the knee recover somewhat to the point that I might not need surgery.
While most physical therapists will not recommend surgery unless there is clearly no other avenue for a patient’s recovery, there are certainly a wide array of circumstances that warrant going under the knife. Following surgery, most patients should undergo a bout of rehabilitative physical therapy to steer the postoperative recovery process in a positive direction. However, recent research indicates that although rehabilitation is definitely important, it may not actually be enough to get the most out of a treatment. In addition to postoperative rehabilitation programs, many modern health care providers have begun recommending 4–8 weeks of exercise-based physical therapy before undergoing surgery. This pre-emptive therapy is sometimes called prehabilitation , and it can offer a host of benefits for surgical patients. These advantages include faster recovery times, fewer days spent in the hospital, lower incidence rates of surgical complications, less pain, higher activity levels, and general improved fitness following surgery. All these
benefits converge to bring about a happier, healthier patient who is more likely to return to doing what they love without worry.
Though the research on prehabilitation is steadily expanding, displaying benefits for all kinds of conditions, the current data shows that prehabilitation works best for the following procedures:
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Heart surgery
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Joint replacement
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Chemotherapy
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Correction of spinal disorders, particularly stenosis
In essence, prehabilitative patients are training for their surgery the same way a runner might train for a marathon. Considering the stress most surgeries put on the body, it only makes sense to adequately prepare. However, it’s important that any prehabilitative measures are carefully guided by a professional. The exercises must be rigorous enough to strengthen and prepare the patient in the short window before surgery, but it’s vital they don’t further injure or worsen the patient’s condition. If a therapist is able to maintain this delicate balance, they can motivate and guide their patient toward positive outcomes for years to come.
TAKE A BREAK
P
This simple, delicious recipe only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s also a great way to encourage kids to eat
their broccoli. The next time you make pasta, leave the canned sauce in the pantry and make this instead!
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
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3/4 pound pasta (shells or orecchiette)
1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli when pasta is 1 minute from done. Drain both and return to pot. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook while breaking up meat with a wooden spoon for 3–5 minutes. 3. Combine turkey with pasta and broccoli mixture, adding the remaining olive oil as you stir. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan cheese.
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2 cups broccoli florets
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3 tablespoons olive oil
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1 pound ground turkey
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2 cloves garlic, chopped
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1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
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Salt
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Parmesan cheese
Recipe inspired by realsimple.com
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Monday - Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (858) 675-1133 www.waterpt.com
15373 Innovation Dr #175 San Diego, CA 92128
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
April Fools’ Meets Wedding Bells
2
Do Pets Fit Into Your Retirement Plan?
Spotlight on Britani Quindoza
3
How Physical Therapy Can Prepare You for Surgery
Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli
4
Delicious Dining Destinations
NORTH COUNTY RECOMMENDS A Trio of San Diego Restaurants
SUSHI OTA 4529 Mission Bay Dr.
With a wide array of cultural traditions and access to some of the best local ingredients in the country, it’s no wonder that San Diego’s food scene is constantly on the rise. The next time you’re planning a culinary adventure, check out one of these great options.
You’ll need to book a reservation well in advance to guarantee a spot a Sushi Ota, but your planning will be rewarded with a meal you’ll never forget. Chef Ota has worked in prestigious kitchens in Tokyo and Osaka, but he made San Diego his home after tasting “the best sea urchin he had ever had.” At Sushi Ota, the seafood is fresh, the preparations are exceptional, and the service is top-notch. Be sure to order the sea urchin and any specials. Ota sources their fish
OB NOODLE HOUSE BAR 1502 2218 Cable St.
It might look like your garden-variety dive bar, but the food on offer is anything but standard. With over a dozen varieties of pho and world-class spicy garlic chicken wings on the menu, you’ll stay here for a lot longer than just one drink. The prices are affordable, and the atmosphere is perfect for a casual dinner any night of the week.
PIACERE MIO DEL SUR 16460 Paseo Del Sur, Ste. 135
“Piacere mio” is Italian for “my pleasure,” and this restaurant lives up to its name. The menu offers a variety of authentic Italian classics, from aged beef carpaccio to house-made pastas. There’s also a wood-burning oven firing out some of the best pizza in town. With a welcoming environment and options for every palate, Piacere Mio Del Sur is the rare restaurant that caters to picky eaters and foodies alike.
meticulously from top purveyors, with some items staying on the menu for one night only.
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