Greater Lansing Area Moms and Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists are pleased to announce a new ongoing monthly series – Moms of ORS! A monthly feature about some of the moms that are part of the ORS family. They will share with you what they do, what ORS location they are based out of (there are 11 locations in the Lansing and Jackson areas) and a few things about being a mom!
This week we are are sharing GLAMoms Meet a Mom Meg Palmer!
Meg is the Director of Business Development and oversees the Marketing Department. She has a background in public relations, marketing and analytics and says, “I am a giant nerd and this job marries those three things!”
Meg and her husband have an adorable and very busy 3 year old daughter who loves the trampoline, dad’s piggy back rides and as many adventures as she can fit into a day!
Meg also has another connection with ORS as a patient.
About a year and a half after having her daughter she experienced severe knee pain without injury or other obvious cause. After physician visits, specialists, imaging studies – it was recommended she try physical therapy. She went to ORS because of a prior excellent PT experience years before!
While in PT, she learned the idea that during pregnancy your pelvis shifts forward, stopping engagement of your glute muscles. And the glutes are one of the main support systems for the back and knees. So post-partum it’s common for those glutes to never fully re-engage – your body literally “forgets” how to use them. Your body stops using your glute muscles the same way as pre-pregnancy. Then postpartum your body has gone so long without using this muscle it for lack of better terms it sometimes “forgets” how and so then it has a ripple effect. Most times this presents as back pain and not the case with Meg.
It was limiting daily mom-tasks and something had to give. With the help and education provided as part of ORS Physical Therapy, Meg is stronger, keeps up with her daughter and loves every minute of it!
This was all BEFORE she started working for ORS earlier this year!
There is more to Meg’s PT story – all while going through this journey of learning healthy habits and reengaging her glutes, she recently learned she has Lupus. She is no stranger to autoimmune disorders and has childhood memories of her aunt who suffered with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA is a “sister of Lupus”). She watched as the disease progressed and soon realized this was much more than just reconditioning a muscle group and practicing healthy habits to rid herself of knee pain.
This diagnosis added a whole other layer physically and emotionally. While recently working to improve her physical activity has been for her daughter, the added level of uncertainty that comes along with this diagnosis makes it go further. It is for her future.
While the future impacts of Lupus in Meg’s life is unknown, she shares, “…I’m now determined my daughter is going to see me fight like hell for the best life possible.” it.”
Full story told, “I am that patient, the person who has benefitted from the education and way ORS has taken care of me over the years and now I am working with the personal training arm of ORS (ORS Performance). I have someone who is medically who is doing and guiding my personal training. This not only ensures I get the most efficient and effective workout (minimizing the time I have to be away from my daughter) but also ensures I stay healthy and safe while doing it.”
When her daughter asks, “mommy, why can’t you give me a piggyback ride?”
She replies, “…I cannot…..yet!”
Her daughter also asks, “you exercise (so you can) give me a piggyback ride?”
“That’s right!”
Meg – We look forward to hearing about her response when you answer, “sure, hop on!”
Thanks for sharing your story, Meg and welcome to Greater Lansing Area Moms!
Meg, please share a bit about yourself with Greater Lansing Area Moms:
I grew up in Ypsilanti, MI and went to Eastern Michigan University for undergrad before getting a job in public relations for Consumers Energy which brought me to Jackson. I’ve lived here 10 years now, and met my now husband here through the Jackson Young Professionals. We live with our 3 year old daughter near downtown enjoying all the area has to offer!
What do you enjoy about what you do? Or what do you find rewarding?
It’s hard to narrow it down! In general, amplifying the good that physical therapy and personal training does for people is so rewarding. Being a part of a locally owned company who invests in their communities at every level is motivating. I feel lucky to lead an incredible team, and I really enjoy bringing my data analytics skill set (aka nerdiness) to the company.
We know this may be a difficult question, yet we would like to know what you feel is the best part about being a mom?
Having both something that drives me to be the best version of myself, while also having it not be about me really at all – I get to channel all my energy and watch this incredible little person blossom before my eyes.
Is there a mom hack tip you would like to share?
Even if you don’t “meal prep” take the time to chop/measure/prepare what you can ahead of your week. It makes the evening craziness after work so much more enjoyable with your little!
If you are not from the Greater Lansing area, please share where you live and if we were to visit, where would you suggest we check out first!
When you’re a mom, anything more than 15 minutes away can feel like a massive undertaking balancing nap times, meal times and the weather.
That’s why I appreciate flexible options like visiting Bright Walls Jackson – 75 murals painted by world famous artists, all located within a couple blocks. It’s totally free and feels like an art museum experience without the fear of your child breaking something or being too loud. Plus if you time it right there’s tons more you can do in downtown Jackson while you’re there!
Coffee or tea or something else?
Coffee – preferably as an IV drip
What, or where are some local favorites your family enjoys?
The Falling Waters Trail (Jackson), Soup Spoon Cafe (Lansing), and Kids n Stuff Museum (Albion)
Any other questions or ideas you would like to share with Greater Lansing Area Moms?
Staying healthy and active as a mom is a new level of difficulty. But since seeking help on my journey these past 3 years I can honestly say it’s everything. Don’t be afraid to invest in what will move the needle for you. Your energy and ability to keep up with your kids are worth it.
Use this transformative time to try something new or challenge yourself in a different way. I’m slower than dirt, but I’m participating in races now so I can include my daughter and show her an exciting side of pursuing fitness. Sign up for a 5k and just experience the joy of perfect strangers cheering you on!
Meg – thank you again for sharing your perspective as a mom, a patient and as an ORS Team Member with Greater Lansing Area Moms!
We look forward to this monthly segment, Moms of ORS and hope to share both about working moms at Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists and also a peek inside the different locations in and around the Greater Lansing and surrounding areas!
ORS has 11 physical therapy clinics in mid-Michigan to care for you.
More about More about Meet a Mom Meg Palmer, Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists and GLAMoms HERE!
Reach Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists at 877-202-2175 or the social media links below.
