October is breast cancer awareness month! Our Auburn Family PT staff have been showing their support by sporting their pink!

According to www.nationalbreastcancer.org

• One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
  
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
  
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
  
• Each year it is estimated that over 252,710 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,500 will die.
• Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,470 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 460 will die each year.
• On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.
• Over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today

Ways you can help:

Shop at https://www.choosehope.com/category/breast-cancer-pink to support cancer research and show your support!

By donating at https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, your donation will help provide a mammogram to a woman in need. Many women cannot afford their annual mammogram, and your support is the only way for these women to get the important screenings they need.

Visit https://ww5.komen.org/Donate/Donate.html to make a secure donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Over the past 5 years, more than 80 cents of every dollar spent by Susan G. Komen have gone directly towards research, community-based health programs, education and advocacy programs to support its mission of saving lives and ending breast cancer.

Family Physical Therapy would like to wish a very happy birthday to our Auburn Clinic's office coordinator, Barbie. Happy Birthday!!!!

Family Physical Therapy is excited to introduce the newest member of our team, Lexi Theuring. Lexi is a bright new physical therapist, who started with us at the end of June. She recently graduated from Emory University with her doctorate in physical therapy. Lexi grew up playing soccer and basketball, which kindled her interest in sport's medicine and exercise science. She decided to go to Sac State, where she got a degree in kinesiology. She enjoys treating sports injuries, and pediatrics. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her nieces and nephews, hiking and traveling.

When asked for a quote that she loves, Lexi replied "Your focus determines your reality"

This week, our staff enjoyed a baby shower lunch in honor of our physical therapist, Kristen Carmichael! Kirsten will be transitioning onto maternity leave as she eagerly awaits the upcoming arrival of her baby boy in just a few weeks! We are all very excited to meet this little guy!

Family Physical Therapy would like to congratulate our physical therapist Ila and her husband Nick on the recent birth of their son!

A message from Ila:
"Thank you all so much for your support, kind thoughts and well wishes during my pregnancy. Our baby boy has arrived, and he is doing great. He is 2 weeks old now and has been such a joy already. Keep exercising, I'll be back soon!"

Today we got together to celebrate the accomplishments of our wonderful PT aide, Jaycie. We are both saddened and proud to announce that tomorrow will be Jaycie's last day in the clinic. Jaycie will be leaving to begin the rigorous journey of getting her doctorate in physical therapy, and we couldn't be more proud of her hard work and determination. 

Football season will not be the same this year without our number 1 Patriots fan!

We all wish Jaycie the best of luck in her new academic adventures!  

Also, check out this awesome cake baked by one of our patients! It is truly all things Jaycie with cats, frisbees and Patriots!

Last week our Roseville clinic staff came together for a delicious lunch to celebrate the upcoming arrival of our physical therapist, Ila Suplizio's baby boy. Ila will be out on maternity leave for the next few months, but we look forward to her return to the clinic, as well as welcoming her new baby! 

For many families local to the Roseville and Rocklin area, today marks the exciting first day of summer vacation. The weather is warming up, and many parents are seeking out ways to keep their kids entertained, active, cool and happy this summer! One of the best ways for both adults and children to stay active and cool outdoors during our hot summer months is by swimming!

 
Our area is home to many popular swimming spots. Locally, we have access to great indoor options such as Mike Shellito Indoor Pool, and Roseville Aquatics Center. Many local gyms such as Lifetime Fitness and California Family Fitness have family friendly pools. We have access to great nature spots such as Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine for outdoor natural swimming.
 
The most important part of swimming is that you stay safe! Today we are going to talk about some of the great health benefits to swimming, as well as some tips on safety for your families.

1. Staying Cool: It is no secret that we get some scorching hot summer days here in Northern California. The heat often makes it difficult for children to get out and play, and adults to get the physical exercise they need. Swimming provides a way to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise, and feel good while doing it!
 
2. Mental Benefits: We know our mental health is very important, and can change daily depending on environmental and personal events. Swimming.org suggests "Swimming for just half an hour three times a week can lower stress levels, raise mood, lower incidences of depression and anxiety and improve sleep patterns."  In an article by MedicalNewsToday, it was suggested that even 20 minutes of physical exercise per day can help reduce stress!
 
3. Adaptability (Injury, disability, and pregnancy):  We will start this suggestion with the caveat that in order to keep yourself safe,  you should always consult your health care provider before starting a new exercise routine, especially if you are injured, disabled, or pregnant! If you are cleared by your health care provider, swimming can be a great way to get some physical activity!
 
The Dementia Friendly Swimming Project has some great info on the benefits of swimming on individuals with dementia.
 
 Water gently supports your body, and can be a great way to get exercise for individuals who are recovering from injury, have pain related to arthritis, or mobility difficulties from other conditions or pregnancy.
 
4. Physical Benefits: The NHS recommends adults get at least 120 of aerobic exercise per week to maintain a healthy cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system! This can also be achieved with more vigorous exercise or strength training. Children 5-18 should be getting 60 minutes of exercise per day! This can be difficult on hot summer days, but swimming is a great way to achieve this goal!

1. Sun Protection: We gathered some great info from skincancer.org on the importance of sun protection.

Sunscreen: Choosing the right sunscreen can be very confusing. There are so many types! Here is a link to SkinCancer.org's explanation on the use of sunscreen and choosing the right SPF.  Also, if you are swimming at the ocean, please consider using a coral reef-safe sunscreen.

A special note on babies: Skincancer.org recommends keeping babies under 6 months out of the sun, as their skin is still too sensitive for proper sunscreen.  Cover their skin with clothing and choose a brimmed hat and eye protection.
Once a baby reaches 6 months, a broad-spectrum SPF shoulder be applied to uncovered areas at least 30 minutes before going outside, and reapplied after 2 hours or swimming.

Eyes: Regardless of your age, its important that you protect your eyes! Here is a link to information about the importance of sunglasses for children and babies.

• Wear sunglasses year-round whenever you are out in the sun. Sunglasses should block 99-100 percent of both UVA and UVB light.
• Wear a hat with at least a 3-inch brim. Hats can block as much as half of all UVB rays from your eyes and eyelids.
• Finally, whenever you are outside, seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM, when sunlight is the most intense.

Clothing: There are all types of clothing that provide Ultraviolet Protection Factor. Many swimsuits are now made out of this, and are a great option to keep children's skin safe! Click here for more info.

2. Take a swim lesson! If you do not feel confident with yours or your child's swimming skills, please consider taking a professional lesson. A swim lesson can be a fun way to build swimming skills and confidence at all ages! There are many local options for adults and children to build their swimming skills.

3. A note on children: According to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburg, while swimming is a great activity for kids, drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death in children. It is so important that we exercise caution when we have children around water! Here are some great tips from their website: These rules are great for children and adults.

• Always ensure that there is adult supervision when children are swimming.
• Never leave a child alone in or near the water.
• Never swim alone. Teach kids to use the buddy system.
• Make sure children swim in supervised or designated areas.
• Never let a child swim during a storm or when there is lightening.
• Never use water wings and pool toys as life jackets.
• Make sure children know the depth of the water.
• Don’t let kids dive or jump into water that is less than 9-feet deep.
• Don’t chew gum or eat while swimming, diving or playing in the water.
• Keep a first aid kit, phone and emergency numbers near the water.
• Learn CPR.
• Have each child aged four and older complete a swimming program.
• Enforce all pool rules, including no running, pushing people in or dunking other swimmers.
• Be sure to remove all toys from the water after everyone is done swimming, so they don’t tempt small children to enter the water when an adult is not around.
• At the ocean, be careful of underwater currents and the wave action. Never run and dive into the waves head first.
• Don't swim in rivers, where fast-moving water is extremely dangerous and currents are hard to gauge.
• Don't overdo it when swimming. Build up your endurance slowly.

If you are thinking about starting swimming or water aerobics, please consult with your physical therapist or health care provider. Not all exercise activities are appropriate for everyone, and its important you take the necessary steps to keep yourself safe.

Family Physical Therapy would like to wish our wonderful physical therapy assistant, Allison, a very happy birthday!!!! 

Over the past year, the staff at Family Physical Therapy has enjoyed Taylor's bright smile and incredibly caring heart in our clinic as she worked with physical Therapist, Ila Suplizio, during her last year of chemo treatments.  

This week, we are so excited to have Taylor as our superstar patient! Her brave and courageous spirit have inspired the entire staff at Family Physical Therapy, and today we are overjoyed to be able to give her this special shoutout...

Because this week...Taylor finished her LAST chemotherapy treatment! 

"I always feel so lucky to get to meet so many awesome kids through my job. Every once in a while, you meet a patient who really changes you. Taylor has been that person for me. She has not only reminded me why I absolutely love doing what I do, but she has inspired my life in so many ways. I feel so grateful to have met her, and to be able to call this little girl my friend! Seeing her smile can just brighten up my day!!! I am so excited for her to begin this new chapter in her life, and I can't wait to see what amazing things she chooses to do in the future!" -Ila Suplizio, PT, DPT, MFDc

​Taylor's giving heart has touched the hearts of so many people in our community. If you live in the Rocklin area, you may have been lucky enough to taste some of her famous cups of lemonade at her fundraiser lemonade stands she hosts during the summer!

This past weekend, Ila and Jaycie were very excited to join Taylor at her End of Treatment party, where they celebrated Taylor's last day of treatment! 

We had a great time seeing Taylor laughing and having water balloon fights with her friends! 

We would like to thank Taylor's family for sharing her story with us, and our entire community! She has inspired so many people with her loving and caring personality.

Taylor is continuing her community involvement! If you would like to see more about her
upcoming adventures, check out her Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/Taylorleesbutterflies/

1. Check out our previous blog post HERE, to learn more about funding and fundraising for pediatric cancer research. 

2. Follow Taylor Lee's Butterflies HERE, to keep up with upcoming fundraising efforts and community events. 

3. Keep up with current research and consider donating to UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

4. Check out Campaign One At A Time, St. Baldrick's Foundation, and our favorite clothing line Catch Some Air.