A Physical Therapist Won't Forget

Kudos to physical therapist Paul Gaspar, DPT for not giving up...
...for sitting ten hours listening to testimony affecting physical therapy practices in California.
...for rooting out self-serving people, wherever he finds them.
Here's one now...

SomethingaboutMary1st Mailer

Six Foods to Help You Recover More Quickly after an Injury

All-natural, whole foods are the basis of any healthy diet. In addition to providing the nutrients needed for basic health and wellness, these foods also help to fight disease, prevent infection, and even help the body repair itself after an injury.

Whether your injury was sustained through an accident or from working out, there are many foods that you can incorporate into your diet to speed recovery. Here are a few of the best foods to help you recover more quickly after an injury:

1. Pineapple - This tropical fruit contains an enzyme called bromelain that helps to fight pain and reduce inflammation in the body. Eat plenty of fresh pineapple to help heal injuries. Add pineapple to smoothies, eat it whole for breakfast or a snack, or use it as a salad topper. There are many more ways to enjoy this delicious fruit.
2. Berries - Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and goji berries are all nutritional powerhouses that are loaded with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and reverse cell damage. Berries also improve circulation and strengthen collagen. Choose fresh and whole versions of the fruit, rather than juices or frozen berries. You can add them to smoothies, muffins, breakfast cereals, granola, and more, or you can enjoy them plain as a snack.
3. Ginger - Ginger has been shown to help all kinds of ailments in the body, including fighting the flu, relieving nausea, and improving digestion. It has also been shown to reduce muscle pain. Enjoy ginger tea or snack on crystallized, candied ginger for a sweet snack. You can also add it to stir fries or soups for a more savory treat.
4. Mango - Here's another delicious tropical fruit that helps to reduce inflammation in the body. Enjoy it as you would other fruits, by adding it to smoothies, salads, or breakfast dishes. You can even get creative and turn it into a salsa or throw it into a stir fry.
5. Protein - Protein is the building block of muscles. It helps to enhance glycogen stores and to rebuild muscle tissue, speeding recovery. Choose lean sources of protein, such as fish, poultry, and beans. When choosing meats, select sources that have been grass-fed or wild caught.
6. Raw Foods - Raw foods contain living enzymes that encourage cellular regeneration and help to fight inflammation in the body. Eating foods in their raw form also ensures that nutrients are not destroyed in the cooking process, allowing your body to get the greatest benefit from them. Meats and dairy should not be consumed raw as bacteria can cause illness. However, raw fruits and vegetables should be consumed in large quantities each day for optimal health. Even some grains can be sprouted and eaten raw.

Experiment with different recipes to find ways to add more raw fruits and vegetables to your diet each day. Eating a healthy diet comprised of all-natural, whole foods will not only promote your general health and well-being, but will also help you to fight infection and promote recovery after an injury. These foods have additional properties that can help your body heal even faster. Try adding them to your diet after an injury to speed recovery.

About the Author: Bridget Sandorford is a grant researcher and writer for CulinarySchools.org. Along with her passion for whipping up recipes that incorporate “superfoods”, she recently finished research on California Culinary Schools and Culinary Arts Schools in Florida.

California and Florida Physical Therapy Bills Move Forward

Physical therapists across the United States have gotten off to a fast start in 2012, as evidenced by two bills moving forward in California and in Florida.

California Senate bill SB 924 allows consumers to go directly to a physical therapist for treatment without first going through their doctor.

Senator Curren Price's bill was approved unanimously Monday, January 30th, 2012.

The Senate bill is a compromise bill that requires a therapist to refer a patient to doctors if the therapist learns that the patient needs medical attention.

It also requires the therapist to get a doctor's approval if the therapy goes beyond 12 visits or 30 business days.

Previous versions of the bill were opposed by the politically powerful California Medical Association (CMA). The CMA has not taken a position on the new compromise bill. The bill now goes to the California State Assembly.

Also, congratulations to the Florida Physical Therapy Association (FPTA) which scored an impresive victory Tuesday, January 17, 2012 as HB 799, the physical therapy temporary license bill by Rep. Tom Goodson passed out of its first committee of reference.

HB 799 by Rep. Goodson amends chapter 486, Florida Statutes, to allow Physical Therapy graduates of accredited programs, who are waiting to take the exam after graduation, to work under a temporary license permit.

The graduate would work under the direct supervision of a physical therapist while working (in the same room) and could only function in this temporary capacity until the results of the first exam are known. A licensed physical therapist may only supervise one temporary licensee permit at a time.

If the graduate with a temporary permit passes, they can continue working under the temporary permit until the permanent license is issued. If the graduate fails the exam, the temporary license is revoked and they may not work until passing the exam.

The legislation will also grant a similar license to physical therapist assistant graduates. Again, they would work under the direct supervision of a physical therapist. Similarly, if the exam is passed, they may continue working but cannot continue if the exam is failed.

Mary Hayashi Gets Probation

As described on this blog, California Assemblymember Mary Hayashi was arrested for shoplifting on October 28th, 2011.

Hayashi received the following punishment:

1. three years probation,
2. she paid a $180 fine
3. she has been ordered to stay 150 feet away from the Nieman Marcus store where she committed her felony grand theft.

Stephanie Ong Stillman, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco District Attorney's office, says that a medical condition claimed to affect Mary Hayashi's "judgement and concentration" did not affect the judge's ruling.

"Her (medical) condition never factored into our decision," she said.

Incredibly, Mary Hayashi's medical condition, a brain tumor, has resolved spontaneously and she is able to continue with her current legislative duties serving Hayward County.

"Now that Ms. Hayashi's medical condition resulting in her arrest has been taken care of, she decided that she would resolve the case as well," Rappaport said.

"It is being treated," he added. "It's no longer affecting her concentration or her judgment."

Physical therapists living and working in California may have difficulty believing that Assemblywoman Hayashi's judgement has not and will not continue to be affected since she attempted to pass legislation permitting physician ownership of physical therapists in 2011, with over $2 million dollars in campaign donations paid by the California Medical Association and its doctors.

Read the full story at STOPPOPTS.org

POPTs Supporter Caught Shoplifting

Ethically challenged California Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D - Hayward) was arrested and bailed out of jail Thursday, October 27th on charges of felony grand theft.

Here is the full story in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Disgraced California Politican Mary Hayashi Before Her Shoplifting Arrest

Mary Hayashi attracted attention of physical therapists nationwide in 2009 when she attempted to pass pro-POPTs legislation in California making employment of physical therapists legal.

Currently in California, physical therapists are NOT legally employable by physicians but an injunction by the California Medical Association, brought by Hayashi in Summer 2011, prevents this law from being enforced until 2013.

Watch her Twitter stream to see reactions from physical therapists nationwide.

Thanks to Robert M. Bacci, PT, DPT of Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy Inc.

California POPTs Bill Dies in Senate Committee

Just moments ago, AB 783, (Mary Hayashi D-Hayward) which would override current California state law preventing medical corporations from employing physical therapists and referring patients to their own clinics, died in State Senate Committee.

Five yes votes were needed to move the bill out of Committee, and there were 3 Ayes and 2 Nos and 4 Senators didn't vote.

Aye votes were Vargas, Correa and Wyland.

No votes were Price (Chair) and Walters.

The Chair declared the bill failed to move out of committee and allowed for reconsideration at a later date.

It is unclear when the bill will be reheard, but we will keep you posted.

Thanks to all of you that sent emails to your state legislators.

Thanks to those members of the California chapter who fought this fight for all of us.