CornerStone PT & Wellness Center - December 2020

CornerStone PT & Wellness Center - December 2020

DECEMBER 2020

CORNERSTONE Monthly

77 Brant Avenue, Suite 101, Clark, NJ 07066

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CornerstonePTNJ.com

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732.499.4540

Cornerstone PT Patients

A STOCKING FULL OF SOCKS

THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT MY WHOLE FAMILY DREADS

VIP Referral Patient of the Month!

LISA KENNEDY

The best compliment we can receive is to have one of our patients refer a friend or family member to our practice. If you refer someone and we are able to take them as a patient, both you and the person who was referred will be entered to Win a $25 gift card! It’s just our way of saying

Imagine opening your Christmas stocking or the biggest present under the tree and finding the same thing every year: a bag full of athletic socks. That’s the threat that my family dangles over my head every Christmas and birthday, and they’ve followed through with it more than once. At this point, the socks have become an ongoing joke. The issue is that I’m hard to shop for. I don’t usually want or need anything, but that’s never a good answer when my wife and kids ask me what I want for Christmas. In response, they’ve taken to throwing out a line that goes all the way back to when I was a kid and wouldn’t cooperate with my parents or grandparents: “If you don’t tell us what you want, you’ll get socks!” These days I have a huge drawer stuffed full of running socks. I’m too old to grow out of my clothes, so they just keep piling up year after year. It’s gotten to the point where I find it funny instead of annoying. I’ve embraced my identity as the sock guy. Running socks still don’t excite me, but I’m getting into wearing fun and funky dress socks to work. I have one pair with fish and rubber duckies on them and another that looks like a football field. I’ve even turned the joke around on my kids a few times and given them socks when I don’t know what they want for Christmas. None of us need more running socks, so the gift always gets the same groans.

giving and receiving gifts isn’t the main point of the holiday. Maybe it sounds cliche, but my favorite thing about Christmas is spending time with my family and friends. I’m a simple guy — I don’t need much stuff! (And I definitely don’t need more socks.) But I do need my loved ones around me for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. This year we won’t be able to have our typical big family Christmas or our usual New Year’s Eve party. There will only be five of us around the Christmas dinner table: my wife, our kids, me, and my mother- in-law, who lives just around the corner. Still, I’m sure it will be a delicious feast. My mother-in-law is Italian and she makes incredible stuffed shells, lasagna, spicy sausage, meatballs, breads, pastries, and desserts for every holiday. Our celebration will be smaller this year, but that doesn’t change how I feel about Christmas. I’m still looking forward to it, socks and all, and I know the sacrifices we’re making are worth it to keep each other safe. Hopefully the pandemic calms down soon, and we can all go back to normal next year!

Thank You!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season,

The real reason I never have a list in mind for Christmas isn’t that I secretly want socks, though. It’s that for me,

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How to Eat During the Holidays

“Before coming to Cornerstone, I couldn’t run without pain in my right ankle. I also experienced a good amount of swelling. Now I can play an entire game of soccer without pain. Thank you Dave and everyone at Cornerstone.”

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– Kelly D.

Have you ever stood on a scale at the end of the holiday season and wondered how the extra pounds crept on? It’s no secret that a sugar cookie here, a slice of pie there, and a few glasses of eggnog in between can lead to a few pounds gained. When you’re surrounded by Christmas goodies, how can you resist? Luckily, there are a few ways you can protect your waistline this holiday season without completely cutting out your favorite treats. BE CHOOSY When you see a regular buffet of your favorite holiday treats, don’t immediately start scarfing down everything that looks remotely tasty and sweet. First, scope out the food — without a plate — so you won’t be tempted to start eating without really looking. Then, find the treats that are your absolute favorites and choose one or two of them to eat. You don’t have to give up sweets during the holidays; instead, eat with discretion. DON’T GO HUNGRY To ensure that you don’t overeat at a party or buy junk food that you don’t need when shopping, eat a healthy snack before going out. Before you head out to a party, eat a snack chock-full of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and unsaturated fats. Apple slices with peanut butter work, as well as lean meats and cheeses. If you’re headed to the grocery store, eating a filling snack before you go will make you less likely to impulsively scoop up those sugary cookies and pastries in the bakery. DRINK RESPONSIBLY (AND JUDICIOUSLY) If you drink alcohol, keep in mind that each drink will probably be somewhere between 150–225 calories. A glass of eggnog can have as many as 500 calories. Alcohol decreases your self-control when you’re eating, while also increasing your appetite. Make sure that if you’re drinking, you’re not doing so on an empty stomach. And to decrease the number of high-calorie drinks that you consume, drink a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages. The holidays are a minefield for any healthy diet. But with the right tools, you can ensure that by Jan. 2, your waistline won’t be worse for wear.

“I am very pleased with the care I received at Cornerstone. The staff is very knowledgeable and pleasant. Tyler is excellent. I have recommended Cornerstone to my family and friends.”

–Loureen W.

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GIVE YOUR RECOVERY A BOOST With Products From PJ’s New Company, TrueRoots!

When David opened Cornerstone Physical Therapy Health & Wellness Center 15 years ago, he embarked on a battle against the odds. Starting a small business takes as much effort and endurance as climbing a mountain, and that’s why we’re so proud that our very own physical therapy assistant of six years, PJ Chinjen, has taken up the entrepreneurship mantle! PJ’s brand-new company is called TrueRoots, and it sells cannabidiol (CBD) products made from high-quality, organic, American-grown hemp. A lot of misunderstandings about CBD exist, but PJ is working hard to clear them up, and we’re here to help. The most important thing you should know is that CBD is not the same as THC. THC is something totally different, and it’s typically derived from the marijuana plant, not the hemp plant. Unlike THC, CBD is nonaddictive and nonpsychoactive. You won’t get a high from using it. Instead, it has natural therapeutic properties that will have a positive effect on your rehabilitation and recovery.

chronic pain, and researchers are uncovering more benefits every day. CBD does this by activating specific receptors in our bodies that boost our endocannabinoid system (ECS) and help our bodily functions run more smoothly. CBD also inhibits the breakdown of anandamide, a neurotransmitter known as the “bliss molecule.” This helps our natural happiness stick around. Our team has seen the positive effects of CBD right here in our clinic. We understand the body’s healing processes and believe that when combined with other natural interventions, like exercise and therapeutic massage, CBD can offer our patients relief from chronic conditions like arthritis and bursitis. It’s a great natural alternative to potentially harmful prescription medication. We believe in PJ’s products so much that we’ve partnered up with TrueRoots to sell them. You can now find CBD oils, gummies, topical creams, and more right here in our clinic. You don’t need a prescription to purchase these products, and PJ and our team will be happy to help you decide if they’re right for you.

To learn more about TrueRoots, call our clinic today at 732.499.4540 or ask to see the products next time you come in.

Harvard Medical School points to studies that show CBD can help manage anxiety, insomnia, and

FESTIVE APPLE CIDER

If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lemon • 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves

• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe.

2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours.

3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!

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77 Brant Avenue, Suite 101 Clark, NJ 07066

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INSIDE This Issue

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David’s Worst Christmas Present Ever

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Testimonials

How to Eat (Responsibly) During the Holidays

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PJ Started a Business! Read Up on TrueRoots

Festive Apple Cider

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Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed

A Driver’s Guide to Safe Holiday Travels

On Sept. 24, 2019, more than 2.5 million people passed through TSA checkpoints at airports across America. On the same date this year, those

Amazon, and you can find a basic kit with things like jumper cables, ponchos, rope, batteries, pliers, zip ties, and a first-aid kit at pretty much any Walmart or sporting goods store. You could even save a life by adding a few more essentials to your kit, like a blanket, snacks, and an extra cellphone charger.

terminals saw just 826,316 travelers — a nearly 70% drop. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Americans have been

thinking twice about air travel, and this holiday, millions of would-be flyers will set out on road trips instead. Road tripping is a great way to avoid contact with a lot of people, but it can also be dangerous, especially in winter weather. Fortunately, you can take several steps to keep your family safe. Getting your car checked before you go, for example, can save you a lot of hassle on the road, as can investing in a set of snow tires. It’s also smart to take precautions such as letting a friend or family member know your route, predicted arrival time, and where you plan to stop for gas along the way.

At this point, you’re almost a safety black belt. But to take your kit to the next level for winter driving, there are three more little-known items you should stash in your trunk: a shovel, a bag of sand or cat litter, and an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid. If you get stuck in a snowbank, the shovel will help you dig your way out without risking frostbitten fingers. The sand or cat litter will boost your traction if you sprinkle it around your wheels in an icy spot, and the extra wiper fluid will make all the difference if you run out during a snowstorm.

Once you’re prepared, crank up the Christmas carols and get driving!

Apart from that, one of the best things you can do is pack an emergency kit. AAA sells premade kits through outlets like

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