A Parent's Guide to Spring Family Outdoors Time

A Parent’s Guide to Spring Family Outdoors Time

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The warmth has finally arrived. So while the weather is still moderate before summer sets in, it’s time to take advantage of some family time outside. There are plenty of activities you can engage in with these last few weeks of spring, but how about trying something new?

Here are a few ideas for some spring family outdoor time.

Mini-Golfing

While your littlest family members might not quite be up for a round of golf on a full-on course, a miniature golf course might be just the ticket to not only gear them up for a future on the links, but also to get the whole family outside for an hour or two. Not only does it give them the opportunity to hone some skills with aim and precision, but it keeps your blood flowing from the walking (and the adrenaline rush of anticipation for that big round-winning putt).

Gamifying Chores

With spring comes plenty of opportunities for cleaning and other chores. But how do you get your youngest family members excited about getting these tasks accomplished? It’s all about gamification. Need the car to get washed? Make it a contest between two of your children to see who can get their half of the car cleanest. Need to get your garden planted? Have your kids make their own markers for the garden and then set a regular time each week to check on and track the progress of their plants. It’s all about finding fun ways to teach your children good habits they can take into adulthood.

Kite-Flying

Why not take advantage of our very windy state? Flying a kite is a great way to engage your whole family in a deceptively active pastime. Find a field or park where you can avoid trees and power lines and give it a go. You can even make it a bit competitive, if you like. It’s estimated that you burn about 100 calories from kite-flying for approximately 22 minutes, so even the parents can get a little bit of a workout out of the deal.

Farmer’s Markets

Getting some outdoors time in doesn’t just have to be about exercise. In fact, there are other ways you can instill some positive habits in your kids during the springtime. It’s a prime time, in fact, to bring the family to a farmer’s market or two. Use the opportunity to take in some fresh air and teach your children how to pick out fruits and vegetables and get them excited about eating healthily. If they get to pick out their own, they’re more apt to giving them a try when you serve them later.

8 Joint-Friendly Foods to Strengthen Your Mobility

8 Joint-Friendly Foods to Strengthen Your Mobility

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On the hunt for ways to eat healthier and keep your joints operating in tip-top shape? There are plenty of delicious and versatile foods to add a joint-healthy spin to your daily diet. We’ve compiled some awesome options for you—take a look.

Berries

Berries are a great source of antioxidants with inflammation-fighting properties. You have plenty of options to choose from, and they taste great with a variety of foods or as a snack by themselves. Try them in yogurt or smoothies, or use them to add extra flavor to cereals.

Red Apples

Red apples are sweet and crunchy treats that get their reddish color from anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants found among the healthiest properties of drinks such as green tea, cocoa and red wine. They are actually known to be often twice as powerful an antioxidant as Vitamin C and can be easily spotted due to the bright red-orange or blue-violet color they give a fruit or vegetable that contains them. Add red apples and Dijon mustard to your next turkey sandwich for an easy lunch.

Nuts

What food serves as an amazing source of protein, vitamin E, calcium, zinc and magnesium? The answer—nuts. Not only will they help combat your arthritis, they’re great for your heart and a must for anyone looking to lose weight. Give pistachios, almonds or walnuts a try.

Oily Fish

If you love fish, you’re in luck. Certain types of fish are filled with Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids excel at fighting off inflammation. Salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring are excellent Omega-3-rich fish. It’s recommended to eat three to four ounces of fish a couple times a week, especially if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Orange Vegetables

Carrots, butternut squash and sweet potatoes—they’re rich with vitamin A and beta-carotene, and they help keep inflammation at bay. Combine the three in a pan, top with olive oil (plus your spices of choice) and lightly brown them in a 400-degree oven. Now you have a tasty side dish or afternoon snack.

Leafy Greens

Leafy veggies such as kale and spinach have antioxidants that help slow the progress of arthritis and relieve arthritis-related pain. Broccoli and Brussels sprouts are also good green veggies to consider.

Onions

Onions are a good source for quercetin, which was found to decrease arthritis symptoms in mice, according to this 2006 study. While that doesn’t mean it will act as effectively as a treatment in humans, adding onions to your meals won’t hurt. They’re great with burgers, steak or served up sauteed on their own.

Food Oils

Extra virgin olive oil immediately comes to mind. Not only is it good for your heart, but it also contains substances that act similarly to non-steroid-based, anti-inflammatory medicines. While olive oil is a popular choice, you should also consider avocado, safflower oil and even walnut oil. Walnut oil actually has 10 times more omega-3 than olive oil.

Gratitude at Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving Note from Orthopedic Institute

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Thanksgiving has become a tradition in which many individuals get together with their family and friends, enjoy a break from their busy schedule, and eat turkey. However, many of us have a hard time taking a moment to merely sit and be grateful. In between the appointments, activities, family gatherings, and delicious food, we may fail to reflect on the blessings in our lives.

So here at Orthopedic Institute, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude. We recognize our good fortune: we are so grateful that we live and work in a community like Sioux Falls where we enjoy a clean city with a low crime rate, a low unemployment rate, a good cost of living and wonderful neighbors. In our line of work, we see many people who have terrible injuries who seem to find ways to appreciate even the smallest things. One of the things we find our patients are most grateful for is their ability to drive. These are the types of small things that we try not to take for granted.

We have been honored to have so many of you choose Orthopedic Institute for your care. We want to wish everyone a very happy, blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas with lots of family, friends, food, gratitude.

Would you like to see an expert at Orthopedic Institute? Feel free to request an appointment or keep in touch on our website at orthopedicinstitutesf.com or give us a call at 605-331-5890. Follow us on Facebook!

The Right Fit: Choosing Running Shoes

The Right Fit: Choosing the Perfect Running Shoes

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With the warm weather coming soon, the sidewalks and pathways will be packed with runners. But before you head to your next run, it’s important to make sure you have the right shoes.

Check out our tips on how to choose the right shoes to support your feet while running. 

What’s the difference?

Sure, picking out your everyday shoes might be more about the look than the function. And depending on how much you value comfort, that might outrank style for you. But when it comes to running shoes, there’s a big difference. Most importantly, pick shoes that offer enough space to accommodate the width of your foot. Think about how your mom tested your shoes out when you were school shopping – account for one thumb-width between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe. (And women should consider squared or rounded toes, rather than pointed ones.)

What arch is best?

First, you must determine what type of foot, or more specifically what type of arch you have: low, medium, or high. You should always measure your arch height when you’re standing to avoid an inaccurate measurement. Arch height will determine the shape of the shoe needed, also known as the “last”. The last of the shoe is the amount of curve on the bottom of the shoe. Shoes are built on a straight, semi-curved, or curved last. Identifying your foot type can also help you figure out how much cushioning or support you will need.

Don’t skimp on analyzing the arch of your foot when it comes to picking out running shoes. Even the way you run has an affect on which type of shoe to select. Inspect the shoe you’ve been running in for the following:

  • Wear primarily around the ball of the foot and secondarily the heel is often indicative of a flat-arched foot. This is usually a more mobile foot, also referred to as a pronated foot. This foot has the potential to allow too much motion and needs a more supportive shoe that offers better motion control and stability.
  • Wear primarily along the outer edge of the shoot usually hints at a high-arched foot. This is usually a more rigid, stable foot, also called a supinated foot. This type of foot needs more cushioning inherent in the shoe to provide for better absorption of shock to prevent injuries to the feet and legs.

If all else fails and your wear pattern isn’t speaking to you, another way to tell is by having a running analysis done by a trained professional. (And the pros at Orthopedic Institute can certainly help you identify your desirable arch as well.)

What about the price?

That price tag can be a little scary – but the saying is true: “You get what you pay for.” Buying the cheapest running shoes you can find will likely mean you’ll need to replace them sooner or you’ll suffer the consequences from the poor support. Investing a little more traditionally ensures you’re getting the best quality materials and construction. Don’t worry – you won’t have to drop $200 on a pair of shoes. Good athletic trainers (running shoes) run anywhere from $80-150. 

Tell Your State Legislators To Not Change or Adjust IM17 Patient Choice

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HB (House Bill) 1067 dubbed “The Sanford Choice Bill” is scheduled to be heard by the House Commerce Committee on Wednesday, February 3 at 10:00 a.m. We would ask that you consider calling & emailing our state legislators to let them know that the people of South Dakota do not want the legislature to “change or adjust IM17 Patient Choice.” It is crucial that the committee members hear our voices and are inundated with emails and/or calls throughout the weekend—asking them to oppose HB1067 “The Sanford Choice Bill.”

  • 62% of South Dakotans voted for the right to have Patient Choice when they approved Initiative Measure 17 on November 4, 2014.
  • It’s not right that the Legislature is considering overriding the will of the people of South Dakota.
  • Initiative Measure 17 gives patient’s choice. HB1067 gives Insurance providers, such as Sanford Health Plan, the choice to exclude patients from the doctors they might want to see.
  • The people of South Dakota that voted for the bill are smart and were not tricked into voting for Initiative Measure 17.
  • The people of South Dakota voted for the right to have the choice to choose their physician, hospital, chiropractor, dentist or other health care provider. HB1067 threatens this right that was approved by 62% of the population of South Dakota.
  • All payers in the state, with the exception of Sanford, are complying with IM17, and have been since it was approved by nearly 62% of the voters.
  • This bill would allow insurance providers, like Sanford Health Plans, to have only one health plan that includes all providers—and, you can bet it will be the most expensive, simply because they want patients to use their physicians and their facilities.
  • IM 17 is being misrepresented and they claim that the bill requires that all doctors be included in plans regardless of cost. This is not true. Insurance plans can set their fees at the levels they want, but cannot exclude a doctor who is qualified and willing to accept those fees.
  • Is it the will of the people or the will of one corporate entity that would best look out for the interest of South Dakotans?Thank you for your support and consideration to ask our state legislators to OPPOSE HB1067, “THE SANFORD CHOICE BILL”.To find the legislators in your district (area) please go to: http://legis.sd.gov/Le…/Who_Are_My_Legislators/default.aspx

Here are the e-mail addresses of the legislators that are on this committee:

  • rep.rounds@state.sd.us
  • rep.schoenbeck@state.sd.us
  • rep.novstrup@state.sd.us
  • rep.wiik@state.sd.us
  • rep.willadsen@state.sd.us
  • rep.beal@state.sd.us
  • rep.stalzer@state.sd.us
  • rep.hawley@state.sd.us
  • rep.wollmann@state.sd.us
  • rep.kirschman@state.sd.us
  • rep.zikmund@state.sd.us
  • rep.steinhauer@state.sd.us
  • rep.harrison@state.sd.us

Thank You for Voting Orthopedic Institute “The Local Best”

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Congratulations goes out to Orthopedic Institute’s Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy departments for being voted THE LOCAL BEST 2015-16!

Our physical therapists, all of whom have advanced training are:

The Occupational Therapy clinic at Orthopedic Institute specializes in upper extremity evaluation and treatment.  Our therapists are able to provide care for each patient’s individual needs.  Our occupational therapists have master level degrees in occupational therapy along with clinic study and years of experience.

  • Nationally certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
  • Licensed by the state of South Dakota
  • Certified in use of therapeutic modalities
  • Trained in the specialized area of upper extremity rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions
  • Find out more:  Hand Therapy or Occupational Therapists

 

 

Orthopedic Institute Teaming Up with Two Great Partners to Offer Wellness Screening

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November 2nd from 4-8PM
November 7th from 8AM-12PM
at GreatLIFE Woodlake

  • 30-minute screening
  • $25 – pay by cash, check or credit card at the time of your screening

GreatLIFE members may have the fee charged to their account. If you have DAKOTACARE coverage you may use your Flex Spending Account.

 

Functional Movement Screening provided by Orthopedic Institute:

  • One-on-one consultation with a physical therapist/athletic trainer to assess quality of movement and injury risk

Biometric Health Screening provided by DAKOTACARE Health Coaches:

  • Lab testing (total cholesterol, LDL & HDL, triglycerides, cardiac risk ratio, blood glucose)
  • Blood pressure
  • Body composition (body mass index and waist circumference)
  • Personal/family health history
  • Lifestyle review
  • One-on-one consultation with a nurse

Limited space available.
Sign up at GreatLIFE
Woodlake today!

At your screening, enter to win a GreatLIFE Massage,
Personal Training Session, or XLBT Wireless Headphones!

For more information or to sign up contact:

GreatLIFE Woodlake Athletic Club

4600 S Tennis Lane

Sioux Falls, SD 57106

605.361.0445

Orthopedic Institute Earns ACR Accreditation

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Congratulations to our imaging team at  Orthopedic Institute.   They have been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). MRI is a noninvasive medical test that utilizes magnetic fields to produce anatomical images of internal body parts to help physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 36,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

Orthopedic Institute/ D1 Groundbreaking

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Announcing (weather permitting this time),  the groundbreaking of our new D1 Sports training facility! Along with our other partners, we will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, June 25th, 2015 at 4:30 p.m.

Location: NW corner of 69th and Southeastern.

AGENDA
Welcome………………………………………………………………Tom Simmons, Master of Ceremonies
Past Chairman
Board of Directors, Sioux Falls Development Foundation
Remarks:
Council Member Southeast District
City of Sioux Falls………………………………………………………………………..Honorable Rick Kiley

Treasurer
Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce……………………………………………………….Tyler Haahr

Senior Principal
Legacy Development and Consulting Co………………………………………………………Norm Drake

CEO
GreatLife……………………………………………………………………………………………………….Tom Walsh

Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist
Orthopedic Institute
OI-D1 Sports Training of Sioux Falls, LLC……………………………..Keith Baumgarten, M.D.

CEO
Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital (Midwest Family Care)………………………….Blake Curd, MD.

CEO/President
Sioux Falls Storm……………………………………………………………………………………..Todd Tryon

The Groundbreaking

Closing Comments—Tom Simmons

Orthopedic Institute Veterans Taking Care of Veterans

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Lisa TidemannAt Orthopedic Institute, we are proud of all of our employees, but we are especially proud and grateful this month for our employees who also serve in the military. Learn more about our Front Office Manager, Lisa Tidemann:

Lisa has been in the Air National Guard for over 26 years. She enlisted when she was 19 years old and is now an officer. Her career fields include Administration, Personnel, Intelligence and she is currently a Logistics Readiness Officer. She has been deployed overseas three times, for a total of 10 months.

OI has had the privilege of having Lisa as an Athletic Trainer, and she has been on the sidelines taking care of high school athletes since 2002.  She is now our Front Office Manager and still provides athletic training coverage as needed.

Thank you for your service, Lisa, from Orthopedic Institute.