Observer
Health Matters JULY 2020
BRAIN FOOD Food for thought, food for sight, food for circulation ... Of course, certain foods promote certain aspects of your health. Curiously, many of them resemble the certain parts of the human body they help. Pages 8 to 9.
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Community Health AdventHealth for Centers promotes Patel Children earns top ranking in U.S.
Courtesy photo
Dr. Roshni Patel
Community Health Centers Inc. promoted Dr. Roshni Patel to associate medical director. Patel joined Community Health Centers in 2015 as a pediatrician and has held the title of chief of pediatrics since October 2018. Patel is a graduate of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and completed her residency in 2012 at Orlando Health’s Arnold Palmer and Winnie Palmer hospitals. Patel has contributed to the growth of Community Health Centers’ pediatric department and numerous quality initiatives, policy and procedure developments, and accreditation readiness. She will continue to provide health care as associate medical director. Patel also will continue her role as chief of pediatrics, leading the pediatric department to improve the lives of children and the community. Community Health Centers Inc., a federally qualified health center, provides primary health care services to insured, uninsured, underinsured and underserved children and adults within Central Florida. It provides care to nearly 70,000 patients each year in the Apopka, Bithlo, Clermont, Forest City, Four Corners, Groveland, Lake Ellenor, Leesburg, Meadow Woods, Pine Hills, Tavares and Winter Garden communities.
U.S. News & World Report ranked AdventHealth for Children as one of the top neonatology programs in the country in the 2020-21 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. AdventHealth for Children ranked No. 32 nationally and best for neonatology in Florida. The 14th annual Best Children’s Hospitals rankings recognize the top 50 pediatric facilities across the country in 10 pediatric specialties: cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery, neonatology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology and lung surgery, and urology. “AdventHealth for Children is committed to providing worldclass, whole-person care for children and their families close to home in Central Florida,” said Dr. Rajan Wadhawan, senior executive officer of AdventHealth for Children and a board-certified neonatologist. “Ranking among the top 50 programs for newborn care for the third consecutive year is a recognition of that commitment. Our incredible team of talented physicians, nurses, other staff and volunteers — who care for more than 2,000 babies in our neonatal intensive care units each year — continue to demonstrate their compassion and unmatched skill year after year.” U.S. News introduced the Best Children’s Hospitals rankings in 2007 to help families of children with rare or life-threatening illnesses find the best medical care available. For more information, visit Best Children’s Hospitals for the full rankings and use #BestHospitals on Facebook and Twitter.
COVID-19 creates demand for assistance The Salvation Army of Orlando Social Services Department reported an influx of applications for assistance with rent, mortgage and utility payments. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, nearly 70% of applicants are applying for the first time. “What our numbers are showing is that this pandemic has had a widespread impact on all residents,” said Capt. Ken Chapman, area commander of The Salvation Army in Orange and Osceola counties. “With the limitations brought by COVID, we are doing all that we can with all that we have to serve this community.” The Salvation Army of Orlando has three campuses actively providing relief for COVID-19: the Orlando campus, the Osceola campus and the Adult Rehabilitation Center. Shelter, meals, clothing, showers, emergency financial assistance, and spiritual and emotional care are the services currently available to residents in Orange and Osceola counties.
AdventHealth honors ‘White Coats for Black Lives’
AdventHealth physicians, nurses and other team members across Central Florida took bended knee together in solidarity with other health care professionals across the nation for a moment of silent reflection as part of the White Coats for Black Lives campaign. The movement is centered on combatting higher rates of disease among black communities, higher barriers of entry to the health care industry for black individuals, lower rates of black medical students and the fear among black individuals to seek care.
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Hospital officials, DeSantis address COVID-19 case increase As the number of positive cases continues to rise, local health care leaders say Orange County’s hospital system is not overburdened. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Despite the number of COVID-19 cases growing statewide, Orange County physicians say the median age is skewing younger and hospital capacity is not currently a concern in Central Florida. During a press conference at Orlando Health Tuesday, June 23, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke with the physicians about their perspective on the rise in positive case numbers. DeSantis said the median age of positive cases in Orange and Seminole counties has dropped to 32. Some of that, he said, could be attributed to more widespread testing compared with the testing that occurred in March. “In March, testing was really limited to people symptomatic and those 65 and older,” DeSantis said. “Now we’re in a situation where if you identify a potential cluster, you can just go test people and we have the capacity to do it. I do think that that infrastructure is very important to have in terms of the testing.” Despite the fact that there is more testing, he added, the test results still are coming in with a higher positivity rate than before. Orlando Health physicians believe that is due in part to more social interaction and widespread transmission.
“The community needs to think about what the risk really is,” said Dr. George Ralls, an Orlando Health physician. “Where we’re letting our guard down are the pool parties or social gatherings or the places we’re not thinking about social transmission. … Our testing is much, much broader than it was during the first wave. What we’ve seen in our percent positive rates looks exactly like what we’re seeing in the community. It really has to do with the fact that there’s been more widespread community transmission.” DeSantis and Orlando Health staff also addressed concerns regarding hospital capacity and other factors that may be contributing to rising COVID-19 numbers. Ralls confirmed that hospital census has increased in the last month as patients begin to return for elective surgeries and health care they had delayed when the pandemic began. A normal hospital capacity lies in the neighborhood of 85 to 90%, said Dr. Sunil Desai, another Orlando Health physician. Many hospitals were running at about 60% capacity during the shutdown, but Orlando Health has seen “pent-up demand with elective surgeries and care,” Desai said. “Not only do we have capacity to take care of all our community
Epidemiologist Dr. Vincent Hsu is AdventHealth’s infection control officer.
and patients, but we have not even tapped into the surge capability should we ever need that,” Desai said. “That’s 30% to 40% bed capacity above our base.” Desai added that while the COVID-19 population now is skewing younger — between ages 30 and 55, he said — the acuity of symptoms presented also has changed. “The acuity is less — a lot less folks requiring mechanical ventilation or the severe presentations of COVID-19,” Desai said. “We’re not seeing as much of that. I think we are beginning to understand how to treat this disease, recognizing it in a better fashion and modifying as we go the various treatment regimens.” Doctors at AdventHealth agreed. During AdventHealth’s morning briefing Thursday, June 25, Dr. Vincent Hsu, an epidemiologist and AdventHealth’s infection control officer, and Dr. Eduardo Oliveira, executive medical director of critical care, spoke about the increase in COVID-19
“We are unfortunately at an all-time high with respect to hospitalizations, but we are well-prepared to handle this. We are not in crisis mode. We want to do what we can in the community to keep these cases as low as possible.” — Dr. Vincent Hsu, an epidemiologist and AdventHealth’s infection control officer
cases in Florida, the impact on the community and the latest in science. Although COVID infection numbers are rising in Florida, the death rate is not, suggesting health professionals may be getting a better handle on the treatment. “We have more availability of treatments now, and we’ve learned more advanced ways of treating those patients,” Oliveira said. “The younger population tends to be more resilient. They have less co-morbidities, other illnesses or diseases that tend to make the virus more lethal.” Both doctors emphasized that wearing masks, practicing social distancing and making smart decisions regarding personal and community health are essential. “As the number of cases increase in the community, we are seeing that also in our hospitals,” Hsu said. “We are unfortunately at an all-time high with respect to hospitalizations, but we are wellprepared to handle this. We are not in crisis mode.”
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Protecting our most vulnerable AMY QUESINBERRY COMMUNITY EDITOR
When the COVID-19 pandemic started spreading throughout the United States in March, older adults were deemed more susceptible, and nursing homes and assisted-living facilities immediately created protective measures for their communities. Non-essential visitors were restricted from entering the facilities, group activities and dininghall meals were canceled, outings were halted, residents were issued masks and encouraged to stay in their apartments as much as possible, and staff members were trained on new protocols. Facilities have been following guidelines issued by the state of Florida and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Leaders educated their teams, residents and families on the new practices and have kept everyone involved up to date on changes. Many put additional protocols into place in an effort to minimize the spread of the virus. “To our knowledge, Sonata Senior Living (was) among the first provider in the state to proactively, and at its own cost, contract with vendors to test 100% of its staff and residents,” said Shelley Esden, chief operating officer of Sonata Senior Living, which operates Sonata West and Serenades in Winter Garden. “This (was) happening despite the fact that there have been zero reports of any resident or staff member exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 and with residents
and staff following applicable guidelines such as staff members and residents having their temperatures taken multiple times throughout the day to monitor for any symptoms,” Esden said. To combat the spread of the virus, the Florida Department of Health issued an emergency order prohibiting visitation to nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and other long-term care facilities except during compassionatecare situations or for the purposes of health care or legal services. The CDC issued the same restrictions and recommended restriction of all volunteers and non-essential health care personnel, especially those who care for residents in multiple facilities. “I am very proud of the community’s ability to execute proactive testing and implement all necessary and CDC recommended precautions to mitigate the spread of this virus,” Esden said. Early access to testing kept the virus from spreading in the facility, said Maria Oliva, chief operating officer of Pathway to Living, which owns and manages Azpira at Windermere. “With a significant shortage of tests all around, early on, we were really diligent in trying to figure out how can we do that, how can we access this resource,” Oliva said. “We leveraged relationships, local labs, and we were able to forge a relationship with a private lab that we contract with to do testing on our team members and our residents. We’ve been doing testing since the beginning or middle of April.
In West Orange, nursing homes and assisted-living facilities acted early to prevent large outbreaks. Their diligence continues to this day.
File photo
Last month, Health Central Park in Winter Garden resident Petra Arroyo Mendez celebrated her 101st birthday. Family members celebrated with her on opposite sides of glass to ensure residents would remain safe.
“That’s been critical and crucial to keeping our community COVID-free,” she said. “We took on an approach early on — how to impact our teams and how to impact our families,” she said. Like most assisted-living facilities, Azpira found a way to keep its residents engaging in activities. One way is having them create individual projects that are all parts of something bigger. “If a resident is making an art piece, it’s not just for that resident — but it becomes part of a much larger project,” Oliva said. “It’s purposeful.” On June 16, Gov. DeSantis issued a new executive order requiring that all staff working in health communities get tested every two weeks effective July 7.
“Those communities and health care settings who have been doing this all along, like Sonata West and Serenades West Orange, are ahead of the game and have already identified potential asymptomatic carriers, quarantined them and prevented outbreaks,” Esden said. “They have been COVID-free for weeks and must simply maintain the status quo.” To keep families in touch with their loved ones, Sonata Safe Connect appointments can be made for a family-window connection or a video chat. A visitation tent for families is being set up. At Inspired Living at Ocoee, team members are working hard to protect residents and associates while, at the same time, understanding what their needs are during the pandemic isolation.
“It will take years to understand the impact of restricted visitation on the mental and physical wellbeing of senior living residents,” the Ocoee facility’s website said. Staff at the company’s St. Petersburg facility came up with an idea that allows residents to safely experience the comforting feeling of touch. The team built the company’s first hug booth, a combination of a plastic sheet and long gloves that gives families the opportunity to embrace without fear of spreading the virus. As the country continues to reopen, many facilities, including Inspired Living, have been examining ways to give residents chances to interact with each other from a distance until Phase 3 can be initiated in the state. They are adding flexible dining options, organizing masked parades and window visits, and offering creativity carts and daily activity sheets. “We’ll continue with infection control,” Oliva said. “We’ll continue to do group programs, small-group programming with social distancing. … We’re looking at our dining program with more disposable, safer sanitation. … As soon as we get the green light, we will move forward with those. We have a reopen recovery plan.” The state announced its detailed three-phase reopening plan at the end of April, and senior communities were told they can welcome visitors in the third phase. The date of this phase has not been determined.
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Your Story Is Just Beginning
The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll in every aspect of life, and the psychological impacts have been overwhelming for many. TROY HERRING
ZOOM FATIGUE
When the coronavirus pandemic overtook the United States in March, no one knew what the tolls would be on society. Since then, much has happened. The country has seen financial hardships, political unrest and, of course, fear associated with COVID-19. And all those stressors have led to anxieties that might not have been there for some people, said Rachel Russell, a licensed mental health counselor at Hope Counseling Clinic in Winter Garden. Russell — who specializes in a variety of psychological foci such as anxiety and trauma — said she has seen a rise in anxiety levels of both clients and the community in general. Something as simple as being around others in a home has led to anxieties, she said. “Parents who have to stay home with their kids now who would generally work ... maybe they loved the opportunity to stay home with their kids, but not in this way where there is no other option for anything else and it’s 24/7,” Russell said. “And couples weren’t meant to be together 24/7 and to work from home. We were meant to have some balance where we have friendships outside of our marriage.” With many being stuck at home for months, Russell said she had seen people facing this issue, and often, there is a series of signs when things begin to go sour. The stress of being around someone for so long can lead to people being short with one another, becoming easily irritable and just having the feeling of being stuck. However, there are some ways to work through it. “Some things that can really help with that is recognizing, ‘OK, we really need to get those serotonin levels in our brains up,’” Russell said. “For me, if I just need to run into the store because I need to get a sweater, I end up maybe spending a halfhour just walking around Mar-
With many now using digital communication hubs such as Zoom to communicate with their family and jobs, there is a disconnect that exists and it can lead to what is now being termed as “Zoom fatigue.” Radloff compared it to the difference between calling and texting, as the latter creates a disconnect where tone and speech patterns are missed and can be misinterpreted. Communicating faceto-face is how we’ve been programmed, he said. “It’s estimated that 80% of what we communicate is done non-verbally,” Radloff said. “If you have six different people on the screen and you’re trying to read their faces but you can’t see their postures, what they are doing with their hands or what’s going on around them, that can ... take away that very important element of how we are wired to interact and communicate.” That said, both Radloff and Russell agreed that for the time being, communication is key to keeping yourself in better mental health. “We’re being creative because we need to be, so I’d rather they being doing that than not be doing anything,” Russell said. “It’s not as fulfilling as being in a room full of people or being one-on-one with people — even if they are surface-level conversations, they fill a need for us. Zoom … FaceTime, it can be more draining than it can fill us, but it does fill us a little bit, so we need to do that.”
“… couples weren’t meant to be together 24/7 and to work from home. We were meant to have some balance where we have friendships outside of our marriage.” — Rachel Russell, Hope Counseling Clinic in Winter Garden
shalls — being around the energy of other people — looking at different things that are meant to make me feel good. “And when we’re not able to do that, I think it drains us,” she said. “So we have to do purposeful things of what we call selfcare — going out and taking a walk, taking time to get together with a friend.” Another thing that can really help is to simply talk out how you’re feeling with those around you, said Jesse Radloff, a licensed mental health counselor at Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital. “There’s a number of things — one of the easiest, hopefully, for most people — is if you live with people sit down and have an honest and empathic discussion among everyone who lives together to set some kind of boundaries,” Radloff said. “Explain what your needs are and come to a consensus so you can still have some sense of your space.”
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STRIKING RESEMBLANCE Looking for the right food to tackle a specific part of the body? Sometimes, a food’s shape reveals its benefits.
WALNUTS: THE BRAIN
Individuals looking to snack on some brain food might want to grab a bag of walnuts on their next grocery run. Once the shell is removed, walnuts resemble the brain, which they also benefit. “If you look closely at these nuts, you will notice that they look like tiny versions of our brains,” Appelsies said. “They are rich in omega-3 fats and contain high amounts of antioxidants. Eating walnuts may improve brain health and prevent heart disease and cancer. They are great on their own as a snack, added to salads, baked goods or tossed in pasta dishes.” Cooper added that omega-3 fats can help with memory and also are important for brain development throughout life.
ERIC GUTIERREZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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verybody knows a key aspect to a healthy body is a nutritious, wellbalanced diet. It’s no secret certain foods contain nutrients that are beneficial to certain parts of the body. But is there a way to know what body part will benefit from a certain type of food just by looking at it? For some foods, the answer is: yes. There are quite a few varieties of foods that look just like body parts they help, and there’s an even larger list of possibilities of how those foods can be prepared. “(Depending on) the food, you might be able to find one thing that supports the health of that body part (it looks like), but really, the food has many nutrients and can be supportive of health in a variety of ways,” said Lisa Cooper, a registered dietician at Orlando Health’s Center for Health Improvement in Horizon West. “It’s not just one food, but it’s a variety of foods and the nutrient mix you get.” Chef Gary Appelsies, director of healthy eating at the YMCA of Central Florida, said because families are finding themselves at home more because of the coronavirus pandemic, they can use the time to learn about healthy foods. “With kids and parents home these days, we can take this as a little learning opportunity,” Appelsies said. “You might even have these (food) items in your pantry or fridge (that resemble a body part they help). Take them out and see if your kids can tell you what body part these represent, and talk to them about the benefits they have for your body.”
BEANS: DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND KIDNEYS
Legumes, such as beans, peas, chickpeas, soy beans and lentils, are packed with fiber and nutrients that benefit the digestive system. Cooper said black beans are good for the colon and kidney beans can help promote healthy kidneys. “Black beans, when they’re still in the pods, they look like the intestines,” Cooper said. “The reason I thought this was a good match is because they’re high in fiber, and fiber, as it gets digested, keeps your colon healthy and promotes colon health altogether. … It provides food for the good bacteria in our colon. “Kidney beans (are) helpful for kidneys,” Cooper added. “Healthy kidneys filter out waste that the body makes when they’re breaking down proteins. Plant-based proteins, like from legumes and kidney beans, decrease the amount of protein lost in urine, and they lower the acid load on the kidneys. So really, plantbased proteins are less harsh on kidneys and they actually recommend more plant-based protein for people who have kidney disease.” In addition to benefiting the digestive system, Cooper said nuts and legumes also can benefit the immune system. Some nuts and legumes are shaped like lymph nodes, which play an important part in the immune system. Foods that contain zinc, vitamin C and vitamin A provide nutrients that support a healthy immune system, and nuts and beans are high in zinc.
THE LUNGS: POMEGRANATES
A glass of pomegranate juice could help someone breathe a little easier. The nutrients in pomegranates benefit the lungs, and the seeds inside the fruit even look like the air sacs in lungs call alveoli. “If you cut a pomegranate in half from top to the bottom and you look at it, it looks like … the lungs with the little alveoli in there,” Cooper said. “Pomegranates (are good for) lung health because the nutrients in pomegranates are protective against lung cancer. They’re high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, folate, copper and resveratrol, so it’s a mix of nutrients.”
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JULY 2020
THE HEART: TOMATOES
THE EYES: CARROTS AND SWEET POTATOES It’s commonly known that eating carrots can be good for one’s eyes. They’re high in vitamins and nutrients that can help improve eye function. Carrots aren’t the only vegetables that are good for the eyes; sweet potatoes are beneficia,l as well. If both vegetables are cut a certain way, they can even look like an eye. “If you slice a carrot into round circles, you will notice that it resembles an eye,” Appelsies said. “Carrots are most notably known for helping you see better. Science shows that the Vitamin A in carrots may improve eye function. They are also good sources of beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants.”
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Although many think tomatoes are vegetables, they’re actually a fruit. Rich in antioxidants, tomatoes can help promote a healthy heart, Cooper said. “If you cut a tomato in half, it kind of looks like the chambers of the heart,” Cooper said. “Tomatoes are high in vitamin C and lycopene, which are strong antioxidants that help with inflammation and can actually help with lowering blood pressure.”
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Trend on two wheels As cabin fever continues, many are seeking solace in a popular outdoor activity — riding bicycles. TROY HERRING SPORTS EDITOR
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s the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt normalcy, West Orange residents have been lucky that their community is home to some of the best biking in Central Florida. The local industry has enjoyed an increase in business since March, and shops such as David’s World Cycle are excited to introduce new customers to the activity. “(There’s) a lot of new faces,” Marketing Director Ray Kennedy said. “Just in general, the excitement around biking has been bigger than we have ever seen it the past few months, which is awesome. Of course, there is the COVID side, as well — it’s been tough for all of us — but the biking makes up for a portion of what we’re missing out on by getting outside.” With so many new people looking to get into riding, shops such as David’s and Winter Garden Wheel Works have become the first stepping stone into the world of biking. And with that responsibility comes getting new riders the information they need on all things biking.
Tyler Junkins works on a bike’s handlebars in the shop at Winter Garden Wheel Works.
FINDING THE RIGHT BIKE
The first question most bike shops get is the most sensible one: “What bike is best for me?” The answer to that question revolves around what kind of riding a customer wants to do, said Winter Garden Wheel Works co-owner Dennis Jones. “That’ll kind of narrow us down to a category of cruising with the family, or ‘Something I want to take to the beach,’ ‘I want something fast and light,’” he said. “So there (are) all these different avenues we can go down — different types of bikes. So typically, we will want to find out what type of riding they want to do first and then steer them to the right bike.” Through the last few months, cruiser-style bikes have been among the most popular. These are made for those looking for a leisurely ride. “The typical person who comes through the doors doesn’t want to ride 100 miles; they just want to ride the local trail — the West Orange Trail, in our case — or they just want to ride around the neighborhood,” Kennedy said. “All of those things are accomplished by the cruiser bike or a hybrid bike. … For most riders, you don’t need to get too fancy with it — you just need something that’ll fit you well and is fun to ride. As a result, you’ll end up riding it more often.” MAINTENANCE
Once you choose your bike, often there are some extra things folks at Wheel Works and David’s suggest. Safety-related items such as helmets always are suggested for any rider — no matter their experience — while something as simple as a water bottle that attaches to your bike can help you
Photos by Troy Herring
Wess Irons works on a bike during a busy day at Winter Garden Wheelworks in downtown Winter Garden.
“… the excitement around biking has been bigger than we have ever seen it the past few months, which is awesome. Of course, there is the COVID side, as well — it’s been tough for all of us — but the biking makes up for a portion of what we’re missing out on by getting outside.” — Ray Kennedy, David’s World Cycle
keep hydrated in Florida’s steamy weather. There are also bells, horns and lights that can be used when riding the streets and trails. These are important, but the upkeep of a bike is just as key, Jones said. Accessories such as a flat-tire pack are incredibly useful, while chain lubricant is vital to keeping your bike rolling. Among the many maintenance aspects of a bike, Kennedy suggests, is checking tire pressure, which will help the ride quality more than anything. “If they’re over-inflated, you are going to have a rough ride; if they’re under-inflated, you’re going to be working too hard on the pedals,” Kennedy said. “Finding that correct tire pressure before you leave for your ride is a super important thing to remember.”
QUICK TIPS & SETTING GOALS
Both Jones and Kennedy are cycling veterans and have accumulated a number of tips and notes to help customers get the most out of their cycling experience. For Jones, one of the main tips he has taken from his time in the industry goes back to maintenance — specifically getting a professional to look at it, because you never know what could be wrong with a bike. “No matter where you got the bike or if you haven’t ridden it in a while or anything like that, I always caution people to have it checked by a professional before you head out,” Jones said. “I’ve done the mistake where we have had bikes come in for service and somebody says, ‘Oh, it’s making a little bit of noise,’ and you want to take it out
for a test ride — the handlebar is loose, the seat is loose, the wheel is loose. You never know what may be underneath, so you just don’t want to grab somebody’s bike and go take off on it.” Other things such as group rides and racing are fun ways to get deeper into the sport. Kennedy has two tips he often suggests for beginners looking to set goals. “Just starting out — for most riders — I tell people usually just to get on your bike and set a goal of riding once or twice this week, after work, around the neighborhood,” Kennedy said. “The second step that I do suggest … is tracking mileage — it’s really motivating for a lot of guests I talk to, and to myself. That’s an awesome carrot to dangle and push (yourself).”
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Melinda McCann is the owner of PhysioFix, a new fitness center in Dr. Phillips that utilizes electric muscle-stimulation training.
PhysioFix opened earlier this year at the Dellagio Town Center in Dr. Phillips.
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A new fitness center in Dr. Phillips utilizes exercise technology that’s a little shocking — literally. PhysioFix at the Dellagio Town Center offers electric musclestimulation training, also known as EMS training — a high-intensity, full-body workout that uses low-frequency electric impulses to stimulate muscles. The fitness center utilizes an EMS suit and other devices that can cover and target most of the body’s major muscle groups or specific muscles, depending on the workout. PhysioFix opened its doors in February and is located at 8014 Via Dellagio Way, Suite 230, Orlando. “People are afraid when they hear electricity (is involved),” said PhysioFix owner Melinda McCann, a certified EMS personal trainer. “They don’t understand that this is how your body works. Your body sends electrical signals to the muscles in order for muscles to contract, and this is the same thing. We’re just enhancing it … so it’s not like we’re doing something that’s unnatural.” EMS training offers many benefits compared to traditional workouts at a standard gym. Exercise through EMS training is low-impact and joint-friendly, so individuals with limitations related to joint pain can still enjoy a full workout. Additionally, because of the intensity of it and the fact that multiple muscle groups can be stimulated at once, a 20-minute workout through EMS training is the equivalent of a three-hour workout utilizing traditional exercise methods. Because of this intensity, EMS training for muscle workouts is only recommended for a maximum of twice a week. “It’s 80% of the muscles that are (being worked) at the same time,” McCann said. “When you go to the gym, you do legs, then
IF YOU GO PHYSIOFIX
8014 Via Dellagio Way, Suite 230, Orlando PHONE: (407) 701-6145 WEBSITE: physiofixfitness.com HOURS: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, by appointment only
Courtesy photos
PhysioFix utilizes this body suit for its electric muscle-stimulation training. The suit is equipped with EMS technology that stimulates various muscle groups during a workout.
you do arms, then you do abs. Here, you’re in (an EMS) suit … and everything is on the whole time. … It’s only twice a week because it’s a really hard workout. You cannot do it more than twice per week because your muscles are so exhausted that you need at least 48 hours to recover.” Although EMS training wasn’t approved by the FDA until 2019, the training method has been popular for decades in Europe, Asia, South America and about 60 different countries across the globe. McCann was inspired to open her business and offer the training method in West Orange after she tried EMS training herself in her home country of Slovenia a few years ago. “I tried it in Europe three years ago, and I just fell in love,” McCann said. “I don’t have much time, I hurt myself in the gym, and I want to be fit. I’ve said, ‘I want to be a fit grandma one day.’ That’s my goal.” PhysioFix offers a variety of packages for those interested in EMS training. Packages offer once- or twice-per-week workouts in a 10-day block session that must be scheduled within a two-month, three-month or sixmonth period. “I believe everyone should invest in themselves,” McCann said. “If you think wellness is expensive, try illness.”
HEALTH MATTERS
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GOOD
VIBES With vibrational sound therapy, spa therapists at Four Seasons Resort Orlando use custom Himalayan singing bowls and more to create a restorative experience for guests.
Courtesy photos
Vibrational sound therapy connects sound with relaxation and natural cleansing.
DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR
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or many, sound and music serve both as an outlet of expression and a form of relaxation. Vibrational sound therapy takes the connection between sound and relaxation a step further. Sound therapy — which involves the use of Himalayan singing bowls — has been used for centuries to assist with healing and provide a natural way of cleansing negative energy and emotions. The treatment is available locally at The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando, which first introduced it to resort guests last summer. And as the resort reopens this month following a closure due to COVID-19, staff is ready to bring back the “good vibes.” Stephany Collins, master spa therapist at the resort, compares the treatment to tuning an instrument. It works to “tune” the body and improve functionality. “Sound therapy works through the ears first and then to the brain to quiet your mind and bring about a meditative state that allows your body to truly relax, feel weightless and induce a dream-like state,” she said. “The vibration is soothing and stimulates your nervous system to ‘let go’ and allow true relaxation. As your muscle tension melts away, your circulation is increased, and your body is allowed a muchneeded pause to make space for your body’s vital systems to get into rhythm.” Vibrational sound therapy features special bowls, mallets and cushions made by artisans in Nepal. The Himalayan sound bowls used are made out of bell metal “with traces of seven sacred metals that align with each planet,” Collins said. The bowls are
VIBRATIONAL SOUND THERAPY placed on cushions and gently set on and around the body, while the mallets are used to create the vibrations. Tingsha bells, which emit a clear, harmonic tone, are used to begin the treatment. The sound is meant to clear the air and bring mental focus to the sound. Derek Hofmann, senior director of the spa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando, said staff is always looking for new offerings to introduce for guests’ well-being. “This service has been very popular since its introduction,” Hofmann said. “We’ve seen couples book and rebook, guests book in the evening to help them sleep better, and we’ve had some groups schedule group vibrational ‘sound baths’ for their attendees.” Hofmann added that the bowls,
together with spa therapists, make an intuitive team. Therapists focus on trouble spots based on the feedback the bowls provide, he said, and each bowl has its own sound character. “We can audibly hear a change in the energy exchange that passes between the bowl and your body and work to clear any areas of stagnant stress, muscular adhesion or chakra imbalance,” Hofmann said. Other benefits of sound therapy include an increase in energy, creativity and motivation; removal of toxins; stimulation of circulation; overall stress reduction and deep relaxation. Plus, spa-goers at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando have access to indoor and outdoor relaxation lounges, a locker room with an outdoor whirlpool and a solarium room with memoryfoam loungers.
While a traditional massage comprises pressure and movement, the pressure in sound therapy is light and flowing with the movement of the bowls — even though the guests are lying still, Hofmann said. “Your body will feel massaged, but in a deeper, yet gentler way,” he said. “You’ll finish your treatment with a very refreshed, renewed sense of well-being and energy. Additionally, this treatment can heighten feelings that reside below the surface. We have seen guests’ experiences range from euphoric and uplifting to cathartic and emotional. It really is an individualized experience for every guest.”
This special treatment has been around for centuries, and it has been offered at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando for about a year. Vibrational sound therapy exists as an avenue for participants to achieve a refreshing, peaceful state through the sound and vibrations of Himalayan singing bowls. The unique therapy is offered as a 50-minute treatment for $190 or an 80-minute treatment for $275. Guests can reserve the treatment by calling (407) 313-6160. The Four Seasons Resort Orlando also offers a Florida resident rate for overnight stays at $359 per night. This includes parking for one car. To book your stay, call (407) 313-4900.
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How Delayin g Care Can Increas e Your Risks
ADVERTORIAL
CONTRIBUTED BY Orlando Health Josef George Thundiyil, MD, Emergency Medicine, and Marianna L. Sisk, DO, Family Medicine
any of us are more focused on our health now, perhaps more than we have been in a long time. We are staying at home and flattening the curve. We are wearing masks in public settings and observing social distancing guidelines. Health and medical safety extend beyond our risks for COVID-19, however. There is so much more to address beyond the coronavirus, and delaying care for any issue can be detrimental to our health. Whether it’s going to the emergency room when you have chest pain or taking care of annual screenings, avoiding delays in your healthcare can improve your recovery. WHAT WAITING DOES In the emergency room, we’ve seen many people delay seeking care so much during this time that they often get very sick, making for dangerous and unnecessary situations. Instead of an appendix just being appendicitis, it’s now a ruptured appendix. People coming in with underlying heart problems like congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema have progressed to severe levels. Or those who have infections now don’t simply have infections that are easy to treat with antibiotics. Instead, they are going into full-on sepsis, which is a severe form of an infection that gets in the bloodstream. At our primary care offices, patients are telling us they’re skipping cancer screenings. But it’s important to avoid doing this. Waiting two or three months on that mammogram could mean a major change to how undiagnosed breast cancer might develop. And some cancers can be more aggressive than others. Just three months can make a significant difference.
PATIENT CONCERNS We understand the concern from the standpoint of patients. What a lot of people are thinking is, “Does the benefit of me coming into the hospital outweigh the risk of me getting a severe infection?” We have the same concerns as you do. We don’t want you to get sick. We don’t want you to spread COVID-19 in our community. We have processes in place to help minimize that risk of transmission to you. Another concern patients may have is, “What if I go to the emergency room and I sit in the waiting room for a long time, and I’m waiting around a bunch of other patients?” Right now, we are doing our absolute best to minimize any time in the waiting room. We’re getting people back right away to a room that’s been freshly decontaminated. If you have to wait, you already will be masked, and we are making sure there is enough space between everyone. HOW YOU ARE PROTECTED What people may not understand is we have precautions in place in our ERs to help protect patients as well as us healthcare providers. We’re adequately supplied with personal protective equipment. When you come to see us, we provide you with the mask. Not only are we at lower risk for giving anything to you, you’re at lower risk for transmitting anything to us.
Secondly, the number of patients who actually have COVID-19 and are coming to our ERs is very small. Those who are even suspected of having it are placed in negative-airflow rooms, It’s also important to address all your chronic conditions, espe- where the air is vented to an outside environment. That way you cially during times like this. Don’t put off taking care of your dia- don’t have to worry about being in a room next to somebody who betes or your high blood pressure. These are high-risk factors for might have the illness and being cross contaminated with the air them. ER_ObserverMedia_Halfpg_PRESS.pdf 1 5/5/20 PM heartORHE-0204 disease, the number one cause of death in the United States.2:15surrounding
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MAINTAINING YOUR HEALTH WITH VIRTUAL VISITS Overall, it’s important to focus on your health at all times. Think about your health beyond COVID-19. Don’t put off preventive cancer screens, mammograms, colonoscopies or pap smears. Remember that much of the care we offer can be addressed through virtual visits. Touching base is important. From your home, you can utilize virtual visits to talk with your doctor or specialist about new issues that may be bothering you or what you can do to continue managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
For more information about our continued focus on safety and options available, including virtual appointments, visit OrlandoHealth.com.
EVER READY
DON’T DELAY. Orlando Health wants to remind you to make your
overall health a priority. If you experience symptoms
that require immediate attention our emergency rooms are open and ready to provide care.
OrlandoHealth.com/ER
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Whether in the hospital or the practice offices, we are sanitizing more. Every room is thoroughly cleaned between patients with alcohol and bleach wipes. In the ER, we also can use special ultraviolet lights to decontaminate a treatment room and further minimize possible risks.
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