SEPTEMBER 2020
StriveHub Fab 5
FALL ALREADY?
It’s hard for me to fathom that we are less than a month away from the official start of Fall! This year the seasons officially change on September 22nd. When I parked the car today, the temperature outside was 88 degrees. The warm weather is still rolling, even as the earlier sunsets are hard to ignore. I was talking with Blake the other day about his “Fourth Grade Orientation” coming up on September 3rd. He was sort of paying attention…until I mentioned it was this week. He shot to attention and gave me a look that was equal parts stunned denial and cautious optimism. Priceless! The stunned denial was in part the realization that time flew by and his summer vacation was nearly over. It has certainly been a different summer for all of us. We didn’t travel anywhere or do all that much, yet the time seemed to fly anyway. As a family we found ourselves doing a lot more together; walks, board games, reading and movie nights have been mainstays this summer. I think the cautious optimism component was all about getting to see his friends again. His last school year, like that of most kids, ended from a distance. His school is going back to the classroom with the hopes of making
PTSMC Celebrates Clinical Excellence!
Congratulations to Tom Kirsch & Mike Krukiel - the two successfully completed a year-long program of didactic coursework, mentorship and manual therapy skills to graduate from our Orthopaedic Residency Program! We are proud to recognize their hard work to advance their clinical reasoning, hands-on skills and physical therapy orthopedic knowledge. (Read one of their PICO projects at the end of this PULSE!) This was an unprecedented year due to the pandemic, Tom and Mike handled the challenges with resiliency and success. They showed adaptability to transitioning to online learning, schedule changes and a change in program leadership. We look forward to continuing to watch them positively impact PTSMC and the physical therapy profession! From left to right: Alan Balavender, Danielle Dunn, Mike Krukiel, and Tom Kirsch.
it work. He is generally a good student, and if you asked him what his favorite subject is, he would be quick to enthusiastically answer “lunch and recess!” Some things never change! Fall is traditionally a very busy time for everyone personally and at PTSMC. For our PTSMC parents of school age children, our many PTSMC students and our Athletic Trainers the start of this school year mirrors Blake’s stunned denial and cautious optimism. The variety of modified school schedules is mind blowing. We must add “fluid” and “adaptable” to our traditional busy fall! Our current trends suggest PTSMC will continue to move closer to our original projections. I am truly grateful for all the PTSMC employees who have been and continue to be fluid, adaptable and busy. Whatever the circumstances, our aim always remains the same: to improve the quality of peoples’ lives by providing unmatched experiences, clinical excellence and lifelong relationships. I thank you for delivering on our mission. Let’s have a great fall! Alan
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“I am very impressed with the incremental improvements in strength and mobility as a result of my physical therapy sessions and home exercises. I highly recommend physical therapy (specifically PTSMC) as a part of a full recovery regiment for all people recovering from surgery or injury. I am amazed and grateful. Thank you for your expertise and care!” - Groton “Your facility is the perfect environment for someone who needs physical therapy. Every step of the way has been a very positive experience. My therapist Sean Walsh has been exceptional. Thank you.” - Waterbury “Channing (Harwood), the PT I work with, listens and responds. Additionally, he mixes up the exercises, which avoids monotony. Most satisfying and surprising is the progress I have made since beginning therapy.” - Plainville “Before I even started my sessions, my doctor faxed my prescription to the wrong place, and the office staff at PT for Life handled it quickly and efficiently. My physical therapist explains everything to me in a way so that I can understand my diagnosis and why my injury may have happened and what to do about it as far as treatment and which excercises help which tendons and muscles. So much thorough information. I feel safe here!” - Southbury “I was greeted with respect and the staff has a very thorough understanding of the how our bodies work. We talked about the issues and tried several different approaches to alleviate them. After the first week, they tried a different treatment that really worked. My only regret is that I didn't come to them earlier. I lived with back pain for over a year. I am pain free now with full mobility. I would and have recommended this group to friends, family and co-workers.” - Westbrook