Methow Valley Health & Wellness 2016

Methow Valley

Health & Wellness 2016 – 17

Saving the

rural clinic Fitness helps with

recovery ‘Alternative’ gains FREE H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S 2 0 1 6 – 1 7

acceptance 1

Dean Quigley, MD General Surgery

Anton McCourtie, MD General Surgery

Robert Johansen, PA-C Family Medicine

Ivan Maeda, MD Family Medicine

Greg Fisk, PA-C Family Medicine

David Bradford, MD OB/GYN

Gayle Grubich, Nurse Practitioner Family Medicine

529 Jasmine St - Omak, WA 98841 - 509.826.1600

P. Bruce Meyers, MD OB/GYN

Delores Dolgner Nurse Practitioner Family Medicine

Regular Hours Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Walk in clinic hours

Your FRIENDS FOR LIFE! - www.mvhealth.org Operating Room

24 hours a day - 7 days a week Dr. Staffed Emergency Room

Obstetrics

810 Jasmine St - Omak, WA 98841

509.826.1760

Methow Valley

Health & Wellness

Editor’s note Health care means all kinds of things to all kinds of people, from

TA B L E O F CO N T E N T S

traditional mainstream providers to alternative options that many

2016 – 17

Methow Valley residents find effective.

Don Nelson, publisher/editor Darla Hussey, design Sheila Ward & Tyson Kellie, advertising associates Dana Sphar, ad design & production Rebecca Vaughan, office manager

The array of choices in the valley — or nearby — includes doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, first responders, specialists, dentists, naturopaths, spas, social service agencies, therapists, hypnothera-

Two clinics, one safety net for community health

4

pists, counselors, masseuses, herbalists, chiropractors, ophthalmologists, optometrists, pharmacists and insurance providers.

That’s probably not an exhaustive list, but the point is that we

CONTRIBUTORS

have options and in a rural community that’s not something we

Ashley Lodato Sam Liebl Sarah Schrock

‘Alternative’ moves toward mainstream

should take for granted in the constantly shifting world of health care. Our two local medical clinics (which faced the possibility of closure when their owner/doctors retired) are now owned by larger

A publication of the Methow Valley News

8

organizations that have a commitment to the community, as have many other organizations and health-related businesses.

P.O. Box 97, Twisp, WA 98856 509.997.7011 • 509.997.3277 fax editor@methowvalleynews.com www.methowvalleynews.com

You’ll find many other resources among our advertisers in Health & Wellness 2016-17, and we encourage you to keep it around as a valuable reference.

Don Nelson

Find us on Facebook

Staying active best way to stay healthy

12

Publisher/Editor

C OVER PHOTO BY STEVE M ITCHELL

NORTH GLOVER HEALING CENTER Committed to your health and well-being 

Loosen your muscles 



Balance your meridians

Release your tension  Understand your mind





CALL 911

Aero Methow RESCUE SERVICE

TWISP

Mobilize your joints 



Heal your gut

Serving the Methow Valley with Advanced Life Support since 1968

Change your patterns  Attune your body

Unwind your dura

214 Glover St. North - Twisp, WA • northgloverhealing.com M E T H O W VA L L E Y H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S 2 0 1 6 – 1 7

997-4013

Gaylen Willett Insurance since 2003

Personal One-On-One Service at no charge for your review Medicare & Rx Plans Critical Care w/ Home Health & Nursing Home Benefits (509) 679-4619 (cell/office) (509) 682-4617 (fax) gaylenwillettinsurance@gmail.com 3

Two clinics, one safety net for community health New ownership assures continued care with more resources A SH L E Y L ODAT O

I

F you’ve visited your Methow Valley primary care physician in the past year or so (as well you should have, at least for a routine checkup), you’ve probably

noticed some changes.

Your clinic has a new name, for starters. No longer The Country Clinic or Methow Valley Family Practice, your clinic is now either Methow Valley Clinic (MVC) in Winthrop or Family Health Centers Twisp Medical Clinic (TMC).

The name changes reflect the new owners; Confluence Health bought The Country Clinic from Dr. Ann Diamond and Family Health Centers purchased Methow Valley Family Practice from Dr. Joe Jensen. What do these ownership changes mean for the community?

They mean that Methow Valley residents will still get access to

“an exceptional group of providers who are absolutely focused on community and public health,” says Diamond, who still practices family medicine at the clinic that she founded in 2000 along with several other practitioners.

Dr. Allison Fitzgerald, the physician at Twisp Medical Clinic, echoes this sentiment. “The team I work with is incredible,” she says, referring to the Certifıed Nurse Midwife and Nurse Practitioners who staff TMC. “The providers have such a great attitude toward patient care.”

Diamond points out that the collaboration between the medical professionals at the two clinics is

an asset to the community. “The cross-pollination between the two clinics is excellent,” she says.

“We have providers with national standings in policy development and primary care. We all know each other and we have the strength of friendships to support our work. There are so many threads among physicians and providers in the Methow Valley. It feels like one large safety net for the health of the community.”

Going electronic While access to continued highquality medical care seems assured under the new ownership of the two clinics, that access comes

The Methow Valley Clinic and the Family Health Centers Twisp Medical Clinic are now owned by larger organizations . PHOTOS BY A SHLEY L ODATO

4

M E T H O W VA L L E Y

at a small price — the loss of an independent clinic’s nimbleness and, well, independence. Doctors at both clinics point to the process of transitioning patients from paper records to electronic records (called “abstracting”) as something that patients will initially notice.

Abstracting is cumbersome, and many (if not most) patient records at the clinics still remain in paper form, so when patients show up for their fırst appointments under the new ownership, it is as if they are new patients from a records perspective.

Still, “patients are being incredibly forgiving as we learn the new systems and deal with the transition,” says Diamond. “It takes a long time to ensure that patient records accurately represent their medical history.”

Fitzgerald says the same thing.

“I knew the electronic system from my previous job, but it took us about six months for us all to be really effıcient with it,” she says. Fitzgerald also had diffıculty

fınding someone who could wade through the abstracting process (for a while she roped in her daughter, who was home from college for the summer) but fınally found someone whose husband is a retired chiropractor and who was familiar and comfortable with medical lingo.

“It’s not just data entry,” Fitzgerald says. “You’re entering results from last tests, last screenings, consultation notes from specialists. Even a highly competent person can only abstract about eight to 15 records per day.”

In the long run, however, with electronic records the clinics should become more effıcient around health care maintenance, such as routine screenings and immunizations, says Fitzgerald.

Additionally, patients at both clinics will have online access to their medical records through MyChart (Winthrop) and Patient Portal (Twisp, which can help them take an active role in understanding their medical care.

A history lesson • Family Health Centers (FHC) was established in 1985 with a primary mission to provide high-quality health care services for all residents of Okanogan County. FHC offers a diverse range of primary and preventive health care services such as adult and child medical care, dental care, obstetrics, lab, WIC (Women, Infants & Children), and pharmacy. FHC has locations in Bridgeport, Omak, Okanogan, Brewster, Oroville, Tonasket and Twisp.

“These are all pieces of the transition,” says Diamond of the abstraction process and the other systems that are being implemented. “We’re working on making it as seamless as possible, but we’re all just getting used to the new systems and the slower movement

THE SHŌVE HOUSE Providing Quality Care for Life

Phone number & 24 hour crisis Line: 509-826-6191 Toll Free: 866-826-6191 www.okbhc.org

“Providing safe and sober housing for our community”

• Established on July 21, 2013, Confluence Health is an affiliation between Wenatchee Valley Medical Center and Central Washington Hospital. With over 350 physicians and mid-level practitioners, Confluence Health provides primary care to area residents and also draws patients from throughout the region for specialty care.

Confluence Health’s mission is to improve patients’ health by providing safe, high-quality care in a compassionate and costeffective manner.

of a large organization.” Diamond gives an example of a medical student who recently spent time at the MVC in an educational capacity. “In the past we would do a background check, introduce that person to our systems, and have them sign a confıdentiality

William E. Wicheta, M.D. James M. Britt, M.D. Michael V. McAllister, M.D. Lynnelle K. Newell, M.D.

1009 Koala Drive · Omak, WA 98841

Richard E. Roberts, O.D.

509.826.8444 · Fax 509.826.8564 · www.theshovehouse.org

Okanogan Valley Office 717 Okoma Drive, Omak (509) 826-1191 or 1-800-738-8272 Wenatchee Office 933 Red Apple Road, Wenatchee (509) 662-7143 or 1-800-572-9425 eyeandearclinic.com Ask us about the “Beautiful Skin Medical Spa” located in our Wenatchee Clinic

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S 2 0 1 6 – 1 7

5

agreement,” she says. “Now that process takes a month instead of a week.”

Understanding anatomy can be helpful. PHOTO BY A SHLEY L ODATO

Denise Heatley, LMP

Mount Gardner

MASSAGE (509)341-4228

202 White Avenue Winthrop Fitness Building License # MA00011919

6

End of an era Why would thriving independent clinics give up their autonomy to the bureaucracy of large organizations? The writing was on the wall, says Diamond, who has in the past referred to herself and Dr. Jensen as “dinosaurs” in health care, as some of the last owners of independent clinics in the country.

“This is the end of an era,” she says. “There are so many regulations and so many changes in health care administration. You basically are punished for seeing Medicare patients because you're increasingly penalized if you don't make the adjustments Medicare requires . Billing is diffıcult with most insurance companies. You have to fıght for your patients’ access to medication, for their right to see specialists. You’re dealing with so much paperwork and administration that you have to hire extra staff just to manage the things that need to be tracked.”

A larger organization, such as Confluence Health or Family Health Centers, centralizes these functions. “It’s an economy of scale,” says Diamond. “They have the resources to manage the administrative aspect of a clinic.”

Diamond points out that independent doctors on the verge of retirement might hang in there for a couple of years and just pay the penalties, but for independents with years of practice ahead of

them it’s just not feasible. “That’s why the independents are throwing in the towel,” she says.

But they’re not throwing in the towel on providing medical care to Methow Valley residents, Diamond reminds us. They’re simply joining forces with organizations that have the capacity to provide administrative functions. The medical services offered by the clinics and the spirit of cooperation that has characterized these two groups of providers remain strong.

Collaborative spirit Nowhere is this spirit of collaboration evidenced more clearly than at the annual sports physical examinations in August at Liberty Bell Junior/Senior High School.

Diamond and other providers began offering the sports physicals in 1998, when it became clear that not every student could afford the cost of the physical examination required to play school sports.

“Every year we ask the medical community to volunteer and this year every single provider at both clinics who was available that weekend showed up,” says Diamond of the 2016 sports physicals. Retired physicians who work elsewhere participated and Aero Methow Rescue Service staff volunteered to do intake. All who showed up did so to support the young athletes. “It was a community-wide cooperative event,” says Diamond, with all medical professionals donating their time to the effort.

Fifty low-cost sports physicals

(a $10 per athlete donation is suggested) each year might not seem signifıcant, but consider the ramifıcations. First, Fitzgerald notes, “Playing sports is an incredibly healthy activity and the sports physical is the fırst step in the process of maintaining fıtness through sports.”

Second, Diamond says, those $10 requested donations have over the years added up to thousands of dollars in college scholarships offered by the Methow Valley Education Fund, which is the recipient of the donations. Fitzgerald also points out that “Kids need things that interest them in order to stay out of trouble. After-school activities like sports keep a lot of kids busy and engaged. Sports give them opportunities to challenge themselves individually and as members of a team.”

Fitzgerald acknowledges that the sports physical alone is not the ideal way to get teens into health care. “You need to be able to talk to them about other things in addition to head trauma and joint injuries,” she says. “Sex, drugs, mood swings, alcohol — all those things are important to address with teens, and you don’t do that in the sports physical.” But as a means of protecting youth athletes before they go out on the fıeld, the sports physical is hard to beat. And to have this service offered to young athletes essentially for free is quite remarkable. “It was pretty fun to be a part of, too,” says Fitzgerald.

That Methow Valley residents appreciate having skilled medical

General & Cosmetic Dentistry ~ John T. O’Keefe, DDS • Providing quality, compassionate care in a fun loving environment • State of the art office utilizing digital x-rays • Oral surgery, including wisdom teeth extractions • Replace missing teeth, beautifully! We offer surgical placement of dental implants in our office • Our office is certified. Call us for a FREE Invisalign consultation.

115 Glover Street, Twisp

997-7533

www.sawtoothdentalcare.com M E T H O W VA L L E Y

care available right their own towns is clear. Diamond notes that when she opened The Country Clinic in 2000, she saw eight patients the fırst day; when she sold the clinic earlier this year there were 10,000 charts. Dr. Jensen ran a successful practice in Twisp for more than 20 years (after purchasing the clinic from legendary local doctor William Henry, who

practiced there for 30 years).

The Methow Valley has a tradition of quality local health care, and medical staff at both clinics say that under Confluence Health and Family Health Centers, Methow Valley residents can expect this tradition to continue.

Fitzgerald sums it up nicely: “We’re all here to meet the needs of the patient.”

•

Free your body. Enjoy your life.

Jason Rumohr, LMP CHP

Hellerwork Structural Integration 105 Norfolk Rd - Winthrop (509) 341-4050 Jasonrumohr.com #MA17981

Paper medical history records are increasingly being replaced by electronic versions. PHOTO BY A SHLEY L ODATO

24/7 Emergency Care with ERx Physicians

High-Quality Radiology Imaging High High-Quality On-Site Family Practice Clinic On-Site Gynecology & Women’s Health Swing Beds for Extended Care General and Orthopedic Surgery ‘Baby Friendly’ Designated Labor & Delivery

Our family cares about yours!

TWISP MEDICAL CLINIC Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm Closed for lunch 1pm - 2pm (509) 997-2011

& TWISP DENTAL CLINIC Friday – Saturday Thursday – Friday 7am – 6pm Closed for Lunch 12pm - 1pm (509) 997-0922

Family Health Centers offers a diverse range of primary and preventive health care services including adult and child medical care, dental care, obstetrics, lab, WIC, and pharmacy. Walk-ins welcome.

507 Hospital Way, Brewster 509.689.2517 www.threerivershospital.net H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S 2 0 1 6 – 1 7

7

‘Alternative’ moves toward mainstream Wide variety of treatments create a growing demand

BY SA M LIEBL

A

T the T intersection of Glover Street and Twisp Avenue, where tourists often slow for a stop sign that does not exist, the hand-painted logo for North Glover Healing Center invites passers-by downhill to a quiet, private space.

Licensed massage practitioners Elaine Marquez and Michael Pritchard purchased the lot and small house just north of Glover Street in 2008 and opened in 2009 with the intention of offering a variety of healing practices under one roof. With growing demand for therapies such as acupuncture, massage, body work, herbalism and psychology, the business has been a success for patients and practitioners alike.

While many refer to the services offered at the center as “alternative” medicine, Pritchard believes that may no longer be the right word to describe non-medical approaches to healing.

“For a lot of us in the valley, we feel that these therapies are legitimate and should be included with other, more medical, procedures,” said Pritchard. “For instance, we see people who have had knee replacements or are recovering postsurgery. So we frequently work in conjunction with medical doctors, rather than as an alternative.”

This shift in perceptions regarding unconventional therapies has coincided with the arrival of new valley residents who expect to 8

stay more active later in life. They often come from the Seattle area, and may be accustomed to getting acupuncture or seeing an herbalist, said Marquez. The center has responded by offering yoga, massage and physical therapy, among other practices.

Massage is popular While there is an array of therapies available at the center, massage stands out as the treatment for which most people walk in the door. Seven licensed massage practitioners rent space and offer treatment at the center. Yet demand is so great that, according to Marquez and Pritchard, they do not compete with each other. To the contrary, they cooperate to offer the best care possible for each patient.

“We are not competing with each other because we each offer something unique,” said Pritchard.

“We each know our own strengths, so we are happy to refer patients to each other.

“For instance, I might have someone dealing with joint injuries and so am doing more orthopedic massage. But that person may also be suffering from a headache, so I can refer them to someone who is more adept at cranio-sacral massage.”

In tandem with this variety, the center also tries to offer affordability. Four out of the seven massage therapists accept insurance, and most have a sliding pay scale to make sessions available to people with all incomes.

“We don’t want to be available only to people with money,” said Pritchard.

To that end, Rebecca Nowka joined the center’s roster of massage practitioners in July to make therapy more available to people paying with insurance, according

to Marquez.

Pritchard admits, however, that the center has been influenced by the same changes in the nationwide health system that have affected medical doctors.

While more people in the Methow Valley have gotten insurance since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, “insurance companies have responded by making people jump through more hoops to get care,” said Pritchard.

“Insurance

companies can now dictate how much massage a patient can The services of acupuncturist Chaya Kudla are in high demand. PHOTO BY SAM L IEBL get, rather than their doctor making that and naturopathic doctor, while her decision.” mother was a psychotherapist and Nonetheless, many people are holistic lay midwife. This upbringseeking and receiving massage ing “carried me further and had therapy at the center, so much so that the therapists were all booked more impact than I would have expected,” she said. at least two weeks out in late In 2005, Kudla graduated with August. a master’s degree in acupuncture Looking for options and Chinese medicine from Bastyr For Chaya Kudla, who offers University. She has continued her acupuncture, Chinese herbal education since then, and now medicine and nutritional therapy offers nutritional therapy to her at the center, demand is such that clients, as well. new appointments are being made After graduating from Bastyr, two months in advance.

Kudla practiced on the west side Kudla grew up in a family of the Cascades before moving to in which alternative medicine the Methow in 2011. “I moved out was approached as the primary here because I love the Methow,” method of healing. Her father said Kudla. “I was nervous about was a licensed acupuncturist starting a practice because it is M E T H O W VA L L E Y

MEDIATION & FACILITATION SERVICES I can help:

• Resolve disputes both professionally and personally • Move meetings forward in a productive manner

Common Sense S O L U T I O N S

Chris Stern • Groups with differing viewpoints meet and have a constructive 509-996-2554 discussion loghead@methownet.com www.solutionsbycommonsense.com

Naturopathic physician Dr. Sierra Breitbeil — with son Soren Strauss and Milo — provides primary care and other services. PHOTO BY SAM L IEBL

so small. But I have had no issues from a fınancial perspective.”

Pritchard and Marquez invited Kudla to practice at the center, and in 2012 she relocated her business, Twisp River Wellness, to the site.

Like Pritchard, Kudla fınds that people are looking for options beyond conventional medicine in the valley and that there is plenty of demand for her approach to

healing.

“I get everything from the common cold to sprained ankles,” Kudla said. “And I also get challenging cases that haven’t gotten anywhere with conventional treatment, people that are looking for relief but have not found relief anywhere else. And in some ways that makes me work harder and be more of an investigator.”

Skilled Nursing Care, Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy along with Jerry Tretwold Administrator Wendy Hernandez, R.N. Director of Nursing

Respite Care, Audiology & Podiatry Services (509) 689-2546 • Brewster

Spectrum Eye Care Vitamins / Personal Care / Local, Organic Produce Natural Foods / Herbs / Unique Gifts Friendly, Knowledgeable Customer Service (509) 826-1445 • 1 North Main • PO Box 4217 • Omak, WA www.mainstreetmarketomak.com H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S 2 0 1 6 – 1 7

Nathan L. Scott, OD

Board Certified, American Board of Optometry

126 East Johnson Street P.O. Box 3100 Chelan, WA 98816

509.682.2708 FAX 509.682.2713 PAGER 509.860.0113 www.spectrumeyecarechelan.com 9

Chinese medicine dates back thousands of years. Kudla’s study of this tradition grounds both the acupuncture and the herbal therapies that she offers. It differs signifıcantly from Western medicine in important respects.

For instance, inflammation is seen in Chinese medicine as the body’s attempt to bring itself back in balance. “We want to support the body so that it doesn’t further injure itself with inflammation, but from a Chinese standpoint, we would not want to apply cold because that can cause stagnation,” Kudla explained.

The concept of balance is crucial to acupuncture, which involves the insertion of thin needles at particular points on the body and may also include cupping, where suction is applied using heated cups.

These procedures, “enable the body to fınd balance, the state of equilibrium that it wants,” said Kudla.

In conjunction with these therapies, Kudla also offers traditional Chinese herbal formulas. These

may contain a dozen or more herbs which are grown and prepared in China before being tested and turned into medicine in the United States.

The power of herbs Locally grown herbs offer healing at the center, too. They are the mainstay for herbalist Robin Baire, who has lived in the valley for 35 years, practiced clinical herbalism for over two decades, and, like Kudla, has offered healing out of an offıce within the Center for four years.

Like so many others living in the Methow, Baire works a variety of jobs beyond just her healing practice. “It’s hard to support yourself off sick people,” she said. But she fınds an advantage in being able to relate to the lifestyle of many of her patients. “We live in a place where we are hard on our bodies.”

As with Kudla, Baire fınds herself offering care to many of her clients after they have sought other options.

“The thing about herbalism in the

Methow,” said Baire, ”is that many people who are receptive to using herbs will try to treat themselves for a while before seeking my help.

But that’s the wonderful thing about using the medicine growing in your yard — you don’t need a prescription. You can buy tea for a few dollars or gather your own herbs and take care of yourself.”

Baire has witnessed a shift not just in the quantity of people seeking alternative therapies, but also in type of maladies with which people come to her. “People used to ask for more cold and flu remedies. But that has shifted now to more adrenal issues. This is because people seem to be dealing with more stress, more trauma, more post-traumatic stress syndrome,” she said.

Valley residents have especially needed help healing with the tragic fıres that burned so much of the Methow during the past two years.

Baire, who lives up Texas Creek, lost her house to the 2014 fıre. Marquez recalled that locals came in

Methow Valley Physical Therapy

305 Methow Valley Hwy, Twisp • (509) 997-4851

Lake Chelan Physical Therapy

Providing Physical Therapy 123 Johnson Ave., Chelan • (509) 682-4713 throughout Connie Miller, PT • Shaun Seibel, PT Okanogan Charmaine Minnis, PT • Julie S-Buttelo, PTA County

Reflexology Promote well being, alleviate stress, physical pain, anxiety and fatigue. Help your mind, body and spirit work together.

Lucinda Tear

509-996-3566 or 206-550-3666 lucinda@lucindatear.com www.reflexologyandsalves.com

10

for massage the day after the evacuation of Twisp was lifted. Pritchard noticed the resulting stress in his clients, and credits the diverse offerings, including psychology, at the center with being well-suited to the impacts that the disasters have had on locals’ health.

“Last year with fıres, we have seen people seeking massage to relieve stress. They could also benefıt from the clinical psychology offered here. We get to spend enough time with our patients to get to know them,” said Pritchard. “Our bottom line is that we want our clients to get the best care they can.”

Collaborative approach Upstream of Twisp in Winthrop, area residents can fınd an open-minded and collaborative approach to medicine at Methow Valley Wellness Center, where Dr. Sierra Breitbeil has practiced naturopathic medicine for almost 20 years. Breitbeil studied this holistic form of medicine at Bastyr University and prior to that

Dr. Joshua Schkrohowsky

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

Winthrop Office

505 B. Highway 20, Winthrop, WA

(509) 682-2511

LakeChelanHospital.com

Your Family. Your Health.

Ulrich’s Pharmacy

Prescriptions, Over the Counter Medications, Gifts and more!

Serving the Methow Valley for 49 years!

509-997-2191

423 E. Methow Valley Hwy,Twisp

Store Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9-6 Pharmacy Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-1 M E T H O W VA L L E Y

studied biology at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Methow Valley Wellness Breitbeil opened her Winthrop practice in 1997, As an ND (naturopathic doctor), she has full standing as a physician, and she rejects any notion that her practice is an alternative form of medicine. “I am a dedicated primary care physician in a rural place. I am very open minded, and I do not discount natural ways of healing,� she said.

Like other health practitioners in the valley, Breitbeil has felt pressured by the current health insurance system, but she remains upbeat about her role as a healer in the valley. “I became a physician because I believed the environment needs support, and we need to take care of our bodies if we are going to be able to do that,� she said. “After 20 years of practicing medicine in this valley, I feel so empowered and feel that this community is so empowered.�

•

Michael Pritchard and other practitioners at the North Glover Healing Center in Twisp have full schedules.

PHOTO BY SAM L IEBL

Mr./Mrs. Newspaper Reader Anytown, USA now

Methow Valley News Read weekly for the latest on what’s going on in the valley ReďŹ lls: annually

$33 per year in Okano gan County $44 per year outsi de Okanogan County $55 per year outsi de WA state Dr. J. Doe

Time to get your Time to get your hearing checked? to get your hearing checked?

Time toTime get your hearing checked? hearing If you are frustrated with a hearing problem, or your current

checked? the combination of professional care and advanced technology.

Dr. J. Doe

Dr. Doug Moomaw, Doctor of Audiology and staff Hanna, Kristin, Kynne & JoAnn

Our

Guarantee

If, for any reason you are not satisfied with your hearing aids, we’ll offer you a 100% refund within 60 days of the date of purchase. Plain and simple. No fine print.

No questions asked.

www. methowvalleynews .com

news opinion arts sports community H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S 2 0 1 6 – 1 7

If you are frustrated with a hearing problem, or your current hearing aids,we encourage you to find out what is possible through the combination of professional care and advanced technology.

Moomaw Hearing Center, Inc.

Toll Free 1-888-898-HEAR

(4327)

Wenatchee Omak Omak • 509-422-3100

• 5 W. Central Ave. 665-3100 422-3100

Insurance and L&ICentral accepted Ave. - 0% financing available 1556 N. Wenatchee Ave, Suite D 5 W. Grand Coulee • 509-631-3004 • 406 Burdin Blvd.

Between Grocery Outlet and ShariÂ’s Restaurant

and accepted - 0% financing available Just WestInsurance of the Main St. L&I Stoplight

Insurance and L&I accepted - 0% financing available

Insurance and L&I accepted - 0% financing available Toll Free 1-888-898-HEAR (4327)

Toll Free 1-888-898-HEAR (4327)

Toll Free 1-888-898-HEAR (4327)

Insurance and L&I accepted - 0% financing available

Insurance and L&I accepted - 0% financing available

Hanna Moomaw, HIS 11

Regular physical activity can help prevent sports-related injuries. PHOTO BY A SHLEY L ODATO

Staying active is the best way to stay healthy Rates of injury and recovery are linked to your overall fitness

BY SA R A H SCHROCK

I

F you are sitting while reading this, you might consider standing up, or better yet try squatting.

12

Are you standing or squatting now? Good, because if so, you are one step closer to full body health.

Despite the nation’s obsession with health and fıtness, the modern information age has produced a generation of sitters who spend the bulk of our day at a desk, staring at a screen. The vast majority of us are not moving our bodies enough in holistic ways and will fınd ourselves in the physical therapy offıce, doctor’s offıce, chiropractor or massage therapist for treatment for aches and pains

at some time or another.

Recent headlines have revealed that teens have an increased risk of neck strains and weakened hand muscles from excessive texting on smart phones, but the damage is being seen even younger. A 2015 Australian study conducted by physiotherapist Leon Straker at Curtin University concluded that toddlers who use touch screens such as iPads appear to move their upper bodies less and develop poorer spinal posture than their counterparts who were exposed to play with regular toys, suggesting

weakened mobility in the upper body as a result of touch screen use.

The net effect of inactivity at any age can result in imbalances, weaknesses, and poor body mechanics that lead to sports injuries.

Even fıtness fanatics who work out regularly are prone to injury because the modern American lifestyle still lends itself to less overall mobility.

Learning the mechanics Jenna Kokes, physical therapist and owner of Winthrop Physical M E T H O W VA L L E Y

Therapy, points out when an infant begins the process of learning to move, he or she naturally develops proper mechanics and strength, but our modern comforts and lifestyles move us further away from whole body movements to more sitting. Sitting is the leading cause of back pain, which afflicts nearly two-thirds of Americans, according to the American Physical Therapy Association.

Americans spend more time in cars than walking, as our ancestors did, especially in rural and suburban communities like the Methow Valley where cars are essential. Even less-obvious actions have their toll. Take for instance the most universal of all bodily functions, waste disposal.

Kokes points out, “life stops at the toilet.” Our ancestors and most of the world squat multiple times per day. But the porcelain throne in the western home has led to weakness in the hips and

back that are not seen in cultures who still squat to do their business. According to Kokes, everyone should be able to squat in an upright posture, with a straight spine, and if you watch a toddler he or she does this effortlessly.

That is, until potty training ensues and the child is trained to sit.

Learning proper body mechanics and building strength are keys to recovery for back pain sufferers. However, according to Kokes, there is a necessary cognitive element to recovery too. Back pain sufferers have an elevated fear of re-injury, therefore building confıdence through physical therapy is a vital component.

Recurring problems At one time or another, most of us will have a tweak or pinch in our back that, with a little time and rest, resolves itself. However, these tweaks and twinges often lead to recurrent problems that over time result in long-term problems including fear of movement.

Therefore, with any injury, but especially back pain, it should be evaluated earlier than later to start a process of treatment.

Kokes advises that the sooner you can be evaluated for an injury, the better results for healing.

Physical therapists (PTs) are trained to assess injuries to the musculoskeletal system including soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, muscles and nerves, as well as screening for any underlying medical conditions that may be the cause of pain.

Most insurance carriers require a referral for PT, so it’s best to check with your provider before making an appointment. When an underlying medical condition out of the scope of a PT is suspected, Washington state law requires a PT to recommend referral to a physician for care.

The Methow Institute of Sports Traumatology in Winthrop offers specialized orthopedic care in sports medicine by Joshua

Schkrohowsky, MD, an orthopedic surgeon. Trained at Johns Hopkins University in medicine, Schkrohowsky completed his residency in orthopedics at the University of Pittsburgh followed by an international fellowship in sports medicine in Innsbruck, Austria, before moving to north central Washington.

Schkrohowsky evaluates any injury for operative and non-operative care in both his Winthrop and Chelan locations regardless if the origin is sportsrelated. Whether care requires surgery or not, the goal of sports medicine is restoring proper mobility and a proper evaluation is the fırst step.

Returning to action The goal of sports rehab is to “return to sport.” A patient who undergoes rehabilitation needs to be strong enough to perform the sport without pain and fear of re-injury before they can be cleared to return to the fıeld, track

Methow Valley News Find us on

Facebook follow us on www.methowvalleynews.com H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S 2 0 1 6 – 1 7

World ClAss CAre

Fitness for everyBodY

Jenna Kokes, PT, dPT, oCs Pete dickinson, PT, Ms, sCs lisa sawyer, PT

state-of-the-Art equipment Yoga and Fitness Classes Personal Training

Quick return to sport

Fall Classes Coming soon!

509-996-8234 www.winthroppt.com At the Winthrop Bridge

13

or court.

Injury to major joints such as the knee, hip, shoulder and ankle accrue the brunt of abuse by athletes. Athletes in particular are prone to overuse of certain muscles and joints related to repetitive movements. A common injury to the knee is the tearing of ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) which is often seen in those who engage in high-impact movements like basketball and skiing, where twisting and impact can occur simultaneously.

ACL injury is so common in downhill skiers that a rehab protocol known as the Vail Sports Test developed for skiers is now the industry standard for “return to sport” for all ACL injuries and repairs.

Whether a sports injury requires surgery or not, the road to rehabilitation takes a similar path. Initial trauma to joints and muscles require a period of seven to 14 days for inflammation to decrease. A PT can prescribe therapies such as

ice or compression while a physician can prescribe medication to assist with pain and swelling if necessary.

Keeping joints loose during this period is important and a PT or physician will suggest proper movements of the injured tissue during this phase of recovery.

Once the inflammation is controlled, pain should decrease and the process of restoring mobility and strength begin through specifıc exercises or stretches. As strength increases, dynamic activities that involve multiple muscle groups and joints are added to the routine until a normal range of motion is achieved. Hydration and good nutrition are important to good recovery.

Despite the fact that Americans in general are less active than our evolutionary ancestors, we are living longer. According to Schkrohowsky, longevity leads to injuries related to compounding abuse on joints and muscles, and older patients often develop compensating

injuries, tendonitis, or arthritis as a result of long-term use.

Halting the decline New research shows that the deconditioning (muscle loss) of the body that occurs with age can be halted or even reversed through strength training.

According to College of Sports Medicine, weight training for seniors should include light weights twice per week. Strength training should begin at age 35 to curb the onset of muscle loss, protect bone health and maintain body composition that begins to decline in middle age. Combining strength work with 150 minutes of moderate exercise (a half-hour, five times a week) as recommended by the American Heart Association is a recipe to keep you moving well into your golden years with less risk of injury or heart disease.

Of course, overall health and wellness are important for injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Take Care of Your Whole Self, Naturally

The Silver Sage Spa

SPA SERVICES Facials, Body Wraps

AUTO ACCIDENT REHABILITATION We bill most insurances, including L & I

MASSAGE SERVICES

Including Cranial Sacral and Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Smoking, diabetes, obesity and other chronic illnesses related to diet and lifestyle can increase the risk of injury or prevent full recovery to tissues.

Complementary care in sports medicine can include chiropractic care and massage. Chiropractic care aids in the release of muscle tension through proper alignment of joints and muscles. Similarly, massage can release muscle tension and remove metabolic waste products through increasing the flow of blood and lymph to or from injured tissue. Specialized lymphatic massage removes excess swelling from an injured tissue that can impede repair and thus accelerate in the healing process.

No matter where you seek relief from you aches and pains, you’ll be better off if you keep moving and get proper evaluation and treatment early on. So, stand up and move if haven’t already, and most importantly, as Jenna Kokes, advises, “be strong.”

•

Stand out and be noticed

Proudly offering Aveda, Onesta and Thermafuse products

670 Riverside Drive, Omak • 1-509-846-1000 • www.silversagespa.webs.com

HYPNOTHERAPY AND MASSAGE CASCADES Kyle Northcott, M-S CHt., L.M.P

Hypnotherapy is an effective technique to increase self-confidence and awareness, let go of selflimiting behaviors, and more successfully align intentions with actions to achieve your goals.

MENTION THIS AD AND GET $15 OFF 1ST MASSAGE 14

Medical Support Hypnotherapist Certified in Medical Massage 509-996-2027 • 104 North Glover, Suite 203 - Twisp hypnosagecascades@gmail.com • www.hypnotherapymassagecascades.com L.M.P MA Lic. 0022316

Advertise in the Methow Valley News in print or online 509.997-7011 www. methowvalleynews. com M E T H O W VA L L E Y

Health & Wellness 2016 Directory

Central Washington Sleep Diagnostic Center

Dental Care

Silver Sage Spa ..................................................... 14

Ear/Eye Health

Common Sense Solutions.........................9

Emergency Services

Methow Valley Wellness Center .........16 North Glover Healing Center...................3 Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare......5

Health & Nutrition Products

Lake Chelan Community Hospital................................10

Health Insurance/Medicare

Ulrich’s Pharmacy.............................................10

Eye & Ear Clinic .................................................... 5 Moomaw Hearing Center .......................... 11 Spectrum Eye Care ...........................................9

Specializing in Pediatric & Adult Sleep Medicine

Eric Haeger, MD

Board Certified Sleep Medicine

Now Offering N E W Alternatives to CPAP Therapy! Call one of our Sleep Labs for your appointment today!

Aero Methow Rescue ......................................3 Three Rivers Hospital ......................................7 Main Street Market............................................9 Gaylen Willett Insurance.............................3

Hellerwork

Jason Rumohr ........................................................7

Home Health Care

Wenatchee ~ Moses Lake ~ Brewster (509)663-1578 (509)663-1578 (509)689-0100 www.cwsleepcenter.com

Frontier Home Health & Hospice ...............................................................9

Hospital/Clinic

Confluence Health ..........................................16 Family Health Centers ....................................7 Lake Chelan Community Hospital................................10 Mid-Valley Hospital ...........................................2 Three Rivers Hospital ......................................7 739 Haussler Road, Suite B • Omak, WA 98841 • 509-826-7452 Our mission is to enhance a person’s ability to maintain a life of independence and choice.

Massage Services, Cont.

Family Health Centers ....................................7 Sawtooth Dental Care ....................................6

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy & Massage Cascades .................................. 14

Massage Services

Mount Gardner Massage .............................6 North Glover Healing Center.................. 3

Mediation/Facilitation Services Mental Health/Wellness

Orthopedics/Sports Medicine

Pharmacy

Physical Therapy

Lake Chelan Physical Therapy.............10 Methow Valley Physical Therapy .......10 Winthrop Physical Therapy .................... 13

Reflexology

Lucinda Tear Reflexology..........................10 North Glover Healing Center...................3

Senior Health/Services

Aging and Adult Care...................................15 Regency Pacific Harmony House ......9

Sleep Diagnostics

Central WA Sleep Diagnostic Center ........................................15

Social Services

Room One ...............................................................16

Spa Services

Silver Sage Spa ..................................................... 14

In-Home Care Options • Home-Delivered Meals Medical Equipment • Family Caregiver Support

Serving Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Lincoln and Okanogan Counties

1-800-572-4459

aaccw.org

PHOTO BY A SHLEY L ODATO

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S 2 0 1 6 – 1 7

15

powerfully advocating for the health and well-being of all people living in the Methow Valley.

Dr. Sierra Breitbeil, ND Naturopathic Physican 996-3970 • drsierra.com Sharon Cohen, MFA, RYT Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction 449-2594 • sharoncohenmbsr@gmail.com

mental Health Services Food Access and Nutrition Reproductive Health Family Support Domestic Violence Services Aging Adult Support one Stop Social Services Monday - Friday, 9-4

Room One (509) 997-2050 | 315 Lincoln Street | PO Box 222 Twisp, WA 98856 | www.roomone.org

Susan Peterson, MS Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate 341-4487 • suepetersonms.com Jason Rumohr, LMP, CHP Certified Hellerwork Practitioner 341-4050 • jasonrumohr.com Please contact individual practitioners regarding insurance coverage.

Located at the Winthrop Professional Center (across from Little Star Montessori School)

Methow Valley Clinic 1116 WA-20 | Winthrop, WA

Methow Valley News Publisher of these fine publications - available for free throughout the valley & region.

(509) 997-7011 methowvalleynews.com

Pediatrician

Ann Diamond MD

Leesa Linck MD

Michael Tuggy MD

Accepting New Patients

Phoebe Hershenow ARNP

Danielle Micheletti PA-C

509.996.8180

Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.