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Make physical therapy step 1
Samar i tan pat ient recommends t reatment for pain
Virginia Trujillo has
a passion for gardening, and there’s nothing she enjoys more than a long,
happy day tending to her plants. So it was unexpected that spending a day with her grandson in her
daughter’s yard would turn into several months of pain and stress. Trujillo went home exhausted
and a little sore and woke up the next morning with numbness and tingling through her arms and
fingers. As many of us do, she put off seeking medical help, but the pain continued to worsen.
Eventually Trujillo consulted with a health care professional. She had two MRI scans and trav-
eled to Wenatchee for some nerve testing. With no conclusive results, it was recommended that she
visit a physical therapist.
A long-time employee of Samaritan, Trujillo asked that she be referred to her home clinic,
Samaritan Physical Therapy. She made an appointment to see Eric Olson, a physical therapist certi-
fied in manual diagnosis and therapy.
RELIEF FROM PAIN
Trujillo says, “After my first visit, my symptoms were gone. I went home that day feeling better than I
had in a long time.”
She maintained her course of therapy and kept every appointment and took her home care seri-
ously. Today, she is happy to report that she has not experienced another symptom.
An advocate for physical therapy first, Trujillo says, “I would have saved myself a lot of time and
pain if I would have considered therapy as a first course of action.”
She also recommends Olson to those in need of a physical therapist. “He was so caring and
compassionate. He listened to me and let me know that he was available to me if I had questions or
further concerns.”
Spring cleaning
Shine on.
Mix ¼ cup of white
vinegar with a quart of warm
water for a homemade, less-
toxic window cleaner.
Take on tripping hazards.
Clear clutter from floors and
stairways. Remove or secure
throw rugs.
Go on poison patrol.
Keep
medicines and household
chemicals in their original
bottles or containers. Store
them out of the reach of
children.
Put away every little thing.
If
kids live in or visit your home,
scan rooms for small items that
might be choking hazards.
Sound the alarm.
Install
smoke alarms on every level,
outside sleeping areas and in
bedrooms. Bonus tip: Set a
smartphone reminder to test
them monthly!
Clean sponges daily.
To help
wipe out germs, toss sponges
in the dishwasher with a
drying cycle—or microwave a
damp sponge for one minute.
Consider using paper towels to
clean countertops. They’re less
likely to spread germs.
Spi f f up for safety
Let the season
inspire a tidier and
safer home with these quick tips.
GO GREEN!
Reduce, reuse, recycle.
Learn more about how and where
to dispose of or donate items at
epa.gov/recycle
.
Sources: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; American
Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission;
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Fal l prevent ion
Steady as you go
It’s pretty common to see a toddler take a tumble,
get up and toddle on, no worse for wear. But as we
get older, falls can be a serious health risk.
One-third of people 65 and older fall each year,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). Falls, and the injuries they
cause, can severely limit a person’s independence.
But that’s not the worst of it. Some falls are
fatal. In fact, falls are the main cause of injury
deaths among older adults, reports CDC.
To help prevent falls, here are some ideas that
can reduce hazards and help you maintain your
strength, balance and vision.
● ●
Don’t go barefoot. Always wear shoes—not
slippers—both inside and outside the house.
● ●
Keep clutter to a minimum. Arrange furniture
so that there’s a clear walkway. Keep objects off
the floor and electrical cords next to the wall so
that you won’t trip over them. Remove throw
rugs or small area rugs.
● ●
On the stairs, fix loose or uneven steps. Install
sturdy handrails on both sides of the stair-
way, and keep it clutter-free. Make sure there’s
plenty of light at the top and bottom.
● ●
In the bathroom, use a nonslip mat on the tub
or shower floor. Install grab bars next to the
tub and toilet. If you’re prone to falling, use a
shower chair.
● ●
Exercise regularly to improve strength, coordi-
nation and balance.
● ●
Use a cane or walker if you’re unsteady. Have
your vision checked at least once a year, and up-
date your eyeglasses when needed.
● ●
See your doctor if you’re having trouble with
balance or dizziness.
● ●
Have your doctor review your prescription
and over-the-counter medications. Side effects
could include dizziness or sleepiness, which
could contribute to falls.
● ●
Get up slowly after sitting or lying down.
You may not need a physician referral for
Samaritan Physical Therapy! Call us directly
or stop by the office to set up an appointment,
and ask any questions regarding our
services. Insurance questions? Call 793-9605.
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THE SAMARITAN