SPOT On Chicago

Chicago Hospital Encourages Physical Therapy Over Surgery

The Times They Are A-Changin'. 

Take for example this new effort at Chicago's Swedish Covenant Hospital. Swedish has a new back pain center offering chiropractic, massage and physical therapy as precursors to invasive back procedures. Old hat you say? Keep reading. Only after these options are exhausted will they move to surgery. In fact the surgeons are on salary and earn it with or without the surgeries. 

How's that for a twist? The specialist gets paid even if they find a safer more inexpensive treatment option. How refreshing! Straight from surgeon Daniel Laich:

"I'm one of the rare neurosurgeons who spends time talking about nutrition with our patients. I tell them, 'You're changing. Your hormones are changing. Perhaps you want to get on a vitamin supplement plan that's useful.' "

Oh I bet the insurance companies LOVE this place. Here's some facts about the new back pain center at Swedish:

• $2.5 million dollar investment
• 3 neurosurgeons plus support staff
• resembles accountable care organizations
• trials of surgical strategies and devices from Europe

Check out the full article at HealthLeadersMedia and let us know what you think. Drop a comment below or shoot us a note on Twitter: @SPOTonChicago

Scariest. Chicago. Artwork. Ever.

Anyone been down around the Chicago Loop today? No? Consider yourselves lucky because if you HAD been you'd be locked in your closet in the fetal position right now and crying like a baby. 

Why? 

Well let me show you:

Oh nothing big just another lovely day in ChicagOH NO IT'S A GIANT EYEBALL!!!! 

Who would do something like this and set it loose on an unsuspecting world? A gentleman by the name of Tony Tasset used 9000 lbs of fiberglass and 9000 more lbs of steel to build this sculpture of weird, modled after his own eyeball. The bill to get this thing made apparently broke the six figure barrier.

In case this isn't sinking in let me lay it out clearly for you. Someone spent $100,000 to build a 30 ft eyeball that will eventually follow you to your house and eat your soul. We have officially derailed Chicagoland. If you plan to go see the sculpture you may want to prepare yourself by having your doctor call in a prescription for Xanax. You'll thank me later.

For the full story check out the Fast Company article. Thanks to Gizmodo for the picture. 

If you're REALLY into this kind of thing there's a YouTube video after the jump. You sadist you.

6 Tweets for Physical Therapists in Chicago

Switching things up just a bit this week I wanted to share some of my favorite tweets today. I know what you're thinking loyal readers: "What?!? That's insane Brad! It's tweets of the week not tweets of the day!!!" Well let me assure everyone, you heard me right. The world has turned upside down and today we're doing it different. Frankly there were so many great ones today they get their own blog post. Without further ado here's what caught our interest today:

#APTA commends MedPAC Report Addressing Growth of Physical Therapy Services in Physicians’ Offices. http://tinyurl.com/268en3sWed Jun 23 19:26:50 via webAPTA
APTAtweets

OTs need to ask ourselves: are we meeting the needs of the patient, or the service. If its the service - STOP! #cot2010Thu Jun 24 14:03:54 via TweetDeckClaire Hayward
EnableOT

Heard about #Barefoot Running? Tried it yet? Concerned? Intrigued? Here is our thoughts: http://ow.ly/22GCaThu Jun 24 14:10:31 via HootSuiteExcelPhysicalTherapy
ExcelPT

Severe storm rolls through Chicago, suburbs :: Chicago Sun-Times :: Photo Gallery: http://bit.ly/avxd4x via @addthisThu Jun 24 13:21:14 via webJess Brown
jessrbpt

Mashable.com announces worldwide Social Media Day, June 30th, Event in #Chicago http://bit.ly/aOExvsThu Jun 24 13:37:30 via webSteve Sipress
stevesipress

OTs need to ask ourselves: are we meeting the needs of the patient, or the service. If its the service - STOP! #cot2010Thu Jun 24 14:03:54 via TweetDeckClaire Hayward
EnableOT

Disability Activists Beat Down a Chicago Curb

Activists today held a demonstration at the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago to protest a dangerous piece of sidewalk. Apparently the curb cut is too steep for individuals with disabilities to reliably navigate without falling over. 

In the past month, a young man in a power wheelchair almost fell out of his chair as he tried to cross the Dan Ryan Expressway on-ramp on the sidewalk. The incline is too steep and does not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines for curb cut slopes, ADAPT said.

"I was utterly terrified and thought I might tip over due to the very steep incline," the man, Josue Rodriguez, said in a news release.

During the protest one man even laid down on the curb with red streamers tied around his wrists. Much to my chagrin the wrist streamers represented blood, not a tribute to 1980's professional wrestlers. Oh well. The Ultimate Warrior would have really put a cap on the protest... but I digress.

Hopefully the protest has a positive outcome but until then the sidewalk should be considered armed and dangerous and approached with extreme caution. In fact I have personally raised it to the top of the 'SPOTonChicago Most Wanted' list. Eat that... concrete!

For the full story head over to the CBS 2 Chicago site.

5 Fun Things To Do In Chicago

Looking for a good way to get out and try some new things in Chicago? 

We've got you covered this week. Thanks to our friends at @explorechicago we've got some suggestions. Let us know if you check any out... we'd love to hear about it. 

If you need more ideas hop on over to Twitter and ask them, they're full of ideas. Check out what we're talking about @spotonchicago while you're there

1. @SPOTonChicago Fiestas Puertorriquenas is June 15-20 in Humboldt Park. http://bit.ly/95f4h4Mon Jun 14 22:51:21 via HootSuiteexplorechicago
   explorechicago

2. @SPOTonChicago Vivaldi's Four Seasons will be performed in Millennium Park on Wednesday at 6:30pm. http://bit.ly/9kbEOzMon Jun 14 22:49:54 via HootSuiteexplorechicago
   explorechicago

3. @SPOTonChicago Tinariwen and Omar Faruk Tekbilek will perform in Millennium Park at 6:30pm on Thursday. http://bit.ly/cdMnbGMon Jun 14 22:44:45 via HootSuiteexplorechicago
   explorechicago

4. @SPOTonChicago There are free Millennium Park Greeter Tours at 11:30am and 1:00pm everyday. http://bit.ly/dx31RkMon Jun 14 22:43:25 via HootSuiteexplorechicago
   explorechicago

5. @SPOTonChicago The Shedd Aquarium is free this week and has extended hours. http://bit.ly/N362H http://bit.ly/97TwnbMon Jun 14 22:42:45 via HootSuiteexplorechicago
   explorechicago

SPOTonChicago in your Mailbox!

We just chopped up and sent out our first round of mailers to tell every Chicagoland rehab therapist we could find about our site. Well... the fifteen that haven't heard of it already anyway. Thanks to our support team at RehabCare we're growing like weeds and have big plans in store.

Keep your eyes peeled for more changes we've got coming including a site overhaul. Here's some things we're thinking about as we try to make the site more useful to you in the crowd. 

• How much time do you spend reading blogs per day?
• What are you using (iPhone, laptop, dekstop, etc) to access internet sites?
• What is more valuable to a Chicago rehab therapist: a network that allows you to interact with peers in Chicagoland or a blog full of created content?
• Where are you when you read these posts? Home? On the bus? Lunch? Bomb shelter?

What do YOU think? 

After all... we're here for you, not to hear ourselves talk. :)

 

5 Chicago Health Events this week

Anyone looking for some healthy new hobbies this week in Chicagoland? 

Thanks to Maya Henderson and our friends at ChicagoNow we've got 5 ideas for you. Shoot a message over to our Twitter account @SPOTonChicago if you're planning on making any of them, maybe we can send the SPOTonChicago field team! 

In all seriousness though, the life of a rehabilitation therapist can be stressful and staying healthy is an important part of staying level. Taking in new events like these are a great way to stay motivated and meet some new people in town at the same time. Consider it a personal reward for all that butt-kicking you do in life. 

Here's some details pulled straight from the original post at BreatheBodyBalance:

1. Chew Chicago 8 Weeks to Personal Revolution (8WPR): Jessica Marie, the holistic nutritionist behind Chew Chicago, is offering her 8 Weeks to a Personal Revolution program again, starting on May 11. Two times a week, a small group of Chicagoans dedicated to feeling better, eating better and looking better meet for a group training session with trainers Jose Lopez and Leigh Ann Kenow followed by a holistic nutrition consultation with Jessica Marie. Over the course of eight weeks, you'll learn to work your body in different ways and transform the way you eat! 8WPR is $499, which is about what 6 personal training session would cost at most gyms
2. Intro to Baptiste Yoga: Don't miss the Intro to Baptiste Workshop ($30) on Saturday from 2-4pm. Instructors Megan Chappel and Amanda Nora break down the foundation poses, Baptiste vinyasa philosophies, the 8 principles, meditation and more. Be prepared to sweat! Following the workshop, there's a yoga happy hour and discussion.
3. Self Workout in the Park: Self magazine takes over Grant Park on Saturday, May 15 for the 2010 Self Workout in the Park. For $20 (50% off proceeds benefit Cancers & Careers and Susan G. Komen), you get a day full of fitness classes, health and beauty freebies and chances to win cool prizes. Special guests for Chicago are Access Hollywood's Maria Menuonos and Mandy Ingber. 
4. Natasha Rizopoulos Workshops: Not into the heat? No fear, Natasha Rizopoulos hits Yogaview for a series of workshops that will expand your practice regardless of if you prefer a hatha or vinyasa style. 
5. Free Yoga Classes: If you're on a tight budget this month and can't afford to get down on any of the other workshops and special events, Lululemon Rush Walton has two great free classes this week. On Thursday, April 13, there's an aromatherapy yoga and essential oils class sponsored by BuddhaNose. For their Saturday morning class, studio of the month Exhale Spa is offering up their newest fusion workout, Core Yoga, a mix of their popular, effective Core Fusion workouts and vinyasa yoga.

Big thanks to Maya Henderson for the original post, check out her blog for more details and health news.

This week in Twitter - 4/14

Now and then some pretty interesting things get shared on Twitter believe it or not. For those that aren't at the level of Twitter geekiness that we are (we have issues... therapy pending) or just plain don't have the time to scan through the muck, here's what we found interesting this week:

ADVANCEforPT
11:44am, Apr 14 from HootSuite 

@IHtherapies We're looking for input in our Autism Awareness discussion. Voice your thoughts here: http://ow.ly/1yriY #PT#autism

YTherapySource
1:36pm, Apr 14 from TweetDeck

RT @IHtherapies: New Study! Physical Activity Boosts Student Performance and Inc. Concentration- http://ow.ly/1yqcW

DavisPTnetwork
7:02am, Apr 14 from Web

Latest PT News: Physical Therapists Report on Treatment for Shoulder Tightness.http://bit.ly/ar3Zvi

physiospot
5:01am, Apr 14 from Google

Great videos from the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbiahttp://goo.gl/fb/JvKQr

bgptbob
7:15pm, Apr 13 from Facebook

Researchers: Older women need 1-hour workouts daily to fend off flabhttp://fb.me/xuFLdtHd

DavisPTnetwork
6:16pm, Apr 13 from Web

Latest PT News: Young boy invents new way to use bubble wrap in physical therapy.http://bit.ly/cGAQM4

IHtherapies
4:23pm, Apr 13 from HootSuite

RT @Apraxia_KIDS: EEG's should be done more frequently in kids with language impairments http://tinyurl.com/y4etvo8

EasyStand
4:05pm, Apr 13 from HootSuite

My fave customer story yet! Max & his mom@obahsomah don't give up! 4 standers, 2 appeals, 1 boy stands

proud!http://ow.ly/1y4AB

ADVANCEforOT
11:45am, Apr 14 from HootSuite

Do organic foods have more nutritional benefits? New web-exclusive feature on OT Advance              

online: http://ow.ly/1yrmn

Foursquare Deals in Chicago

Foursquare is one of the more addicting things to hit smart phones in recent memory. For those unfamiliar with it, here's the quick breakdown direct from Foursquare.com: 

Foursquare is a cross between a friend-finder, a social city-guide and a game that rewards you for doing interesting things. We aim to build things to not only help you keep up with the places your friends go, but that encourage you to discover new places and challenge you to explore your neighborhood in new ways.

Basically you "check in" using your phone at different places. The rules are simple, check in enough times at any location and you become the "mayor". Once someone checks in more than you, they steal your title. You earn badges for certain things, like getting a "Gym Rat" badge for checking in at a gym 10 times in a month. If you can access the internet from your phone, you can use it.

As Foursquare gains steam we're seeing more and more local businesses using it to advertise specials. The Chicago Tourism Board even set up special locations around town. Recently FlashFiller wrote a post naming more Chicago businesses using Foursquare to offer special deals, here's their list:

• Chaise Lounge: Show that you’ve checked in on Foursquare and get 10% off on food. Show your waiter to redeem!
• Dragonfly Mandarin: Show that you’ve checked in on Foursquare and get 20% off every 6th visit! :) Show your server to redeem
• Piece: Show that you’ve checked in on Foursquare and you’re mayor and get your second pint on us! :)
• The Drawing Room at Le Passage: Show that you’ve checked in on Foursquare to the Drawing Room and get a free dessert with the purchase of an entree, small plate or drink. Show your waiter to redeem!
• David Burke’s Primehouse: Show your server that you’ve checked into David Burke’s Primehouse on foursquare and we’ll send out a complimentary chef’s choice appetizer to add to your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
• J Bar: Show your cocktail server or bartender that you’ve checked into J Bar on Foursquare, and receive 2 cocktails for the price of 1 before midnight.
• Metropolis Rotisseria & Annettes: Show that you’re mayor of Metropolis and get a free brownie!
• Meze Tapas: Show that you’ve checked-in on Foursquare and get 20% off meal with purchase of a pitcher of house sangria.
• The Food Feastivals: Show that you’ve checked in on Foursquare and get one free admission per paid $10 admission!
• The Hunt Club: Get a free shot with a foursquare check in, show to staff to redeem!
• The James Hotel Lobby Bar: Show your cocktail server or bartender that you’ve checked into The James Hotel Lobby Bar on foursquare and receive 2 cocktails for the price of 1. @ Wow Bao: Show that you’re mayor of Wow Bao on Foursquare and get a free 6-pack of bao!

While it's fun to play around with, there are definite business possibilities here for your company. Imagine if somebody checks in at the local pizza place and receives a message about your physical therapy practice next door, offering some kind of special. What if someone checked in at a trade show and received a message reminding them to stop by your booth for a contest. These are definite possibilities. It's all fun and games now but Foursquare is big business and something to watch for.

Social Media Club Chicago's January Event

It's that time of the month again. Social Media Club Chicago is throwing a bash and it's looking quite tempting from where I sit. I've never been to a SMC Chicago event but from what I understand they're a blast to go to. If you're looking for a place to hang out and network with some folks that understand where things are going online, this is the place to do it. I'm hoping to get by there myself.

Full details after the break.