Advanced Physical Therapy - Terryville - August 2019

Advanced Physical Therapy - Terryville - August 2019

AUGUST 2019

WWW.PHYSICALTHERAPYCT.COM | 860-506-4124

MEET CHARLIE ADVANCED PHYSICAL THERAPY TERRYVILLE’S UNOFFICIAL MASCOT

July and August are sometimes referred to as the dog days of summer, so I thought this would be the perfect time to introduce you to my dog, Charlie: the very unofficial mascot of Advanced Physical Therapy Terryville. If you were lucky enough to have had an appointment on national Take Your Dog to Work Day, then you might have already met him in the office. He loves to say hello to all of our patients and bask in the glory of scratches and pats. My wife, Melanie, and I have had Charlie since he was a puppy, but now he’s a dapper senior puggle (pug/beagle mix) who brings joy to everyone he meets. When Melanie and I were first married, we started our little family with Charlie because we figured having a dog would be a good way to test the waters before we had kids. Since then, he’s been with us through the highs and lows, including years on the road when Melanie and I were doing traveling physical therapy. We like to joke that he’s been to more national parks and monuments than most humans, but really, it’s probably true — I’ve got shots of Charlie at the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, and many more to prove it.

to help us with that, too. When Melanie was pregnant with our oldest son, Jack, we even went so far as to test out our swaddling technique on him. We’d lay him down on the bed and try to wrap him in a blanket, just like you’re supposed to do with an infant. Our thought was that if we could swaddle a dog, we could definitely swaddle a baby! Luckily, Charlie didn’t mind too much, and we were swaddling experts by the time Jack arrived. Having Charlie also helped us prepare for the challenges kids bring. Like 2-year-olds, dogs require near-constant supervision. We couldn’t take off on a whim anymore after getting Charlie, and he showed us how scary and exciting it can be to care for a life that’s not your own. Now that sense of responsibility is magnified with our three children: 9-year-old Jack, 8-year- old Meredith, and 5-year-old Ben. I also learned the hard way that you can never let your guard down as a pet owner (or as a parent). Once, before our kids were born, my mom called when I was getting home with Charlie. Chatting with her on the phone, I strolled into our fenced back yard and dropped Charlie’s leash, thinking he’d be fine to wander in the enclosed space while I talked. Oh, how wrong

I was. Within minutes, Charlie had caught the loop of his leash on the leg of our fire pit. When he took off running a moment later, the firepit came too. It must have looked like the thing was chasing him, because Charlie went absolutely nuts, dragging it back and forth across the yard. The total destruction was as hilarious to watch as it was awful to clean up. Charlie was fine, but that’s the day I learned that with both pets and kids, no situation is as simple as you think. That said, life with a pup is full of upsides. They set a lot of good examples for us humans, like offering unconditional love without judgment and living each day to the fullest. When I brought Charlie in to work, I was reminded of just how much five minutes with a dog can improve a person’s day, even when they’re in pain or recovering from an injury. I hope that the next time Charlie joins me at Advanced Physical Therapy Terryville, you’re there to say hello. And if you’ve got a pup at home, give them a hug tonight — The dog days of summer are the perfect excuse.

After we settled down and decided we were ready for kids, Charlie was there

Have You Heard? UnitedHealthcare is waving out-of-pocket costs for patients with low back pain for the first three visits. Call us today at 860-506-4124 to learn more!

–Jarred Parker

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WHICH WORKOUT WILL HELP YOU MEET YOUR GOALS? SWEAT SMART

With hot yoga, barre, Pilates, weightlifting, kickboxing, and more, personal fitness companies offer every workout you need to stay in shape. But sometimes, having dozens of choices can be more anxiety-inducing than having just a few. When it comes to finding the right workout to help you reach your goal, whether it’s weight loss, better balance, or more muscle, it’s best to seek advice from the experts. DROP IT LIKE A POUND When it comes to weight loss, full- body workouts, like swimming, running, and cycling, are the most effective. "The more muscles you have to incorporate, the more calories you're going to burn because those muscles all require energy in order to work," Nike Master Trainer Holly Rilinger told SELF magazine. Regardless of the activity you choose, Rilinger recommends interval training as the best method. By combining bursts of intense effort with periods

of active rest, you can keep your heart rate jumping and those calories burning. WAX ON, WAX OFF The words “balance” and “workout” are generally associated with yoga, and while it’s true that yogis are champions of standing on one foot, so are martial artists. According to an article published by the martial arts academy chain Evolve MMA, “Martial arts works out the entire body, from the base, to the upper torso, to the all-important core ... Practicing martial arts will improve your balance, which then, of course, improves the quality of your life.” By incorporating martial arts and yoga into your workout regimen, you’ll be able to perform impressive party tricks and stay on your feet if you lose your balance. DO YOU EVEN LIFT, BRO? For building muscle and increasing your strength, nothing beats weightlifting, whether you’re using

If a storm appears, seek shelter immediately and stay out of low-lying areas. When you’re in mountainous or hilly terrain, a little rain is all it takes for flash floods to occur. If you’re in a ravine when it starts raining, get out immediately. keep a whistle around your neck or in your pack. You never know what you might encounter or when you’ll need help. Hiking with kids is also a great time to teach them to recognize landmarks and be aware of their surroundings. If you have a digital camera or smartphone, show kids how to create a trail of digital breadcrumbs or pictures to help them find their way back to camp. ALWAYS STICK TOGETHER. It’s a good idea to hike with a buddy and dumbbells at home or machines at the gym. Lifting weights also helps burn fat. Speaking with SELF, Rilinger called the practice "the mother of all weight loss techniques, the highest in the workout food chain, the top of the totem pole.” Of course, the most important thing to consider when choosing a workout is whether you enjoy it enough to squeeze it into your schedule. If you resent every drop of sweat, it will undoubtedly take you longer to reach your goal than if you look forward to the challenge.

GONE CAMPING 4 THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND ON YOUR NEXT FAMILY CAMPING TRIP

While summer is winding down, families are looking to go on a few end-of-season adventures, camping trips included. Before you head out into the wilderness with your family, it’s important to be prepared. In fact, “be prepared” is the best piece of advice when it comes to braving the great outdoors. But what does being prepared entail? Here are four key tips.

2 • WWW.PHYSICALTHERAPYCT.COM TEACH FIRE SAFETY. When you build a fire, especially with kids, teach them about fire safety. This includes HAVE A FIRST-AID KIT NEARBY. A good rule of thumb is to keep one in your car at all times. You never know when you’ll need it. Kids may get a few bumps and scrapes while out hiking, or you might encounter poisonous plants, such as poison ivy or poison oak. Having quick access to cold water, soap, antiseptics (hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol), and calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can keep infections at bay.

building the fire itself. Pick a spot away from brush and overhanging branches and create a pit surrounded by rocks. Before lighting a fire, have a bucket of water and a shovel nearby so you can quickly extinguish it when ready. Finally, remember to only build a fire as big as you need. A larger fire can be difficult to manage and keep under control. KEEP AN EYE ON THE SKY. Weather can change at a moment’s notice, and sometimes, it doesn’t give notice at all. Keep a close eye on the sky and monitor the weather on a radio.

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THE BEST MEAL OF THE DAY QUICK TIPS FOR THE BEST BREAKFAST EVER

Breakfast is the meal that fuels your brain and body for the day ahead, so why not make it the best meal of the day? There are simple tweaks that can make your home-cooked breakfast the best breakfast you’ve ever had. Put away the cereal and bust out the skillet because things are about to get truly delicious. Read on! THE SILKIEST SCRAMBLED EGGS There are many methods for achieving great scrambled eggs,

but how does one create the best eggs? The secret is air. In the words of Bob Ross, you have to “beat the devil out of ’em.” Start by cracking a few eggs into a bowl (and add a pinch of salt and pepper, if desired). With a whisk, beat them until smooth. The eggs should start to look light and airy. Then, pour the eggs into a skillet set to medium-low heat . Continue to whisk for a few more seconds. Then, with a spatula, turn the eggs as they begin to curdle. They are done the instant no runny liquid remains. Quickly remove them from heat when they look just underdone and still moist. THE CRISPIEST BACON Cooking bacon can be a messy chore with a lot of cleanup. If you want to avoid this — and still end up with delicious bacon — start cooking bacon in the oven. All you need is a baking tray and a wire rack that fits in the tray. Start by heating your oven to 350 F. While it heats, line the tray with foil, insert the rack, and lay the bacon over

the rack. Cook the bacon for about 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it after about the 10-minute mark to check for your ideal doneness. If you want meatier bacon, take it out just as it starts to brown evenly. If you want crispy bacon, give it a few more minutes. Using this method, the bacon is perfectly cooked, and you have no grease splatters to clean up! THE FLUFFIEST PANCAKES Say goodbye to packaged pancake mix, because if you want the best results, you need to start from scratch. The recipe you’ll want to use comes from The Kitchn. The recipe is Lofty Buttermilk Pancakes. Take care to note that the yolks and whites of the eggs are incorporated separately into the batter; the result is an incredibly fluffy pancake. Here’s another secret: This method of separating the yolk and whites can be applied to almost any pancake recipe. Just be sure to follow the Lofty Buttermilk Pancake recipe method for consistent results.

SUMMERTIME GAZPACHO

TAKE A BREAK!

Inspired by CookieAndKate.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

• 2 1/2 lbs ripe tomatoes; cored, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 small cucumber; peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 red bell pepper; cored, seeded, and sliced into ribbons • 1 small Vidalia onion, peeled and cubed • 1/4 cup basil leaves • 1 clove garlic, peeled • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp sherry vinegar • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Place a blender and medium mixing bowl on your workstation. 2. Divide the tomato chunks, cucumber pieces, and bell pepper slices evenly between blender and bowl. Place entire onion in blender. 3. Add basil, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper to blender. Blend on low, gradually raising speed to high until smooth, about 2 minutes. 4. Add blender contents to bowl and mix until just broken up, about 10–20 seconds. 5. Let mixture sit in fridge for a minimum of 2 hours. Transfer to bowls and serve.

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860-506-4124 | www.PhysicalTherapyCT.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

311 Main Street Terryville, CT 06786

1. COVER TITLE 1. MEET CHARLIE, OUR UNOFFICIAL MASCOT INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2. FIND THE RIGHT WORKOUT FOR YOU STAY SAFE WHILE CAMPING 3. QUICK TIPS FOR THE BEST BREAKFAST EVER SUMMERTIME GAZPACHO 4. WHY YOU SHOULD PLAY PICKLEBALL

THE INCREDIBLE RISE OF PICKLEBALL

A SPORT FOR ALL AGES BECOMES A CRAZE AMONG OLDER ADULTS

You’ve probably heard of pickleball, especially given its rising popularity in the United States and Canada, but you may be wondering what the big deal is about this relatively new fad. Pickleball is an awesome, low-impact sport that people of all ages can enjoy. It’s great exercise and great fun, and it’s the perfect game for family get-togethers.

In addition to being a fun form of exercise, pickleball also offers older adults the chance to socialize with their peers. Leagues often lead to long-term friendships. Courts are small, and each game consists of only four players, making it easy to engage in some casual conversation or playful, competitive banter between points. If you’ve never picked up a paddle, consider joining a league or buying a set for your next family outing. You can introduce your grandkids to a fun new sport — and then school them for the bulk of an afternoon.

Pickleball originated on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1965. It was the creation of three fathers — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — who needed to come up with something to keep the little ones entertained and out of their hair. Soon, however, it became popular among the adults, and they ended up spending more time on the court than their children. “Frankly,” McCallum says, “the kids got pushed out.” Since its early days, pickleball has transformed from an ad-hoc game to a full-fledged sport, complete with official rules, equipment, and leagues. Despite the more formal structure in place today,

pickleball is incredibly easy to pick up and play. Investing in some paddles and balls won’t cost more than $100, and you can easily convert a tennis or badminton court for pickleball. One of the appeals of pickleball for older adults is that it is not excessively strenuous. It also doesn’t have the steep learning curve and high barrier to entry that sports like tennis or golf do. Due to the nature of a pickleball, which contains strategically placed holes similar to those of a whiffle ball, the game is much more about finesse than pure power or athleticism. While you can definitely hone your skills with practice, you’ll start having fun from day one.

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