CornerStone PT & Wellness Center February 2018

CornerStone PT & Wellness Center February 2018

February 2018

CORNERSTONE Monthly

77 Brant Avenue Suite 101, Clark, NJ 07066

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www.cornerstoneptnj.com

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732.499.4540

ROMANCE AND ROLLER COASTERS

Cornerstone PT Patients

burnt out. We broke up and went our separate ways. I started college, and she became a nurse. We stayed in touch over the years, but didn’t have time for romance and roller coasters. Four years later, she came to my college graduation. I’d gathered a bunch of old friends in my dorm room, and she’d shown up for the occasion. As the night wore down, I told her how glad I was we were still friends. We started reminiscing about the old days, about that first ride on the Jet Star, and sure enough, our relationship was rekindled. Our love burned differently in this new chapter of our lives. Compared to the wildfire of our teenage romance, our second round of dating was like a carefully stoked furnace. We had far more responsibilities to balance. She was a full time nurse, and I was studying to be a physical therapy assistant, but we were also more mature. We began to see ourselves as a team, and

My first date with my future wife happened almost by accident. We’d met through our work in the fast-food industry and had a pretty large circle of mutual friends. But we were just that: friends. One day, we were all supposed to hang out at Seaside Heights and go on some rides, but almost everyone canceled at the last minute. Then, the woman who would become my wife called. “Hey, do you still want to go?” The two of us had a great time, eating carnival food and going on rides. But sparks really flew when we rode the Jet Star. For those that never got the chance to ride it, the Jet Star was a classic roller coaster, with steep drops, sharp bends, and most importantly, two seater cars. My wife sat up front, leaving me to wrap my arms around her as we rocketed around the tracks. They tell you to keep your limbs inside the vehicle at all times, after all. We screamed, hollered, and laughed during the whole ride. We got on the Jet Star as friends, but left as something more.

VIP Referral Patient of the Month!

DARLENE ALICEA

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, you and the person who was referred

a team figures things out together. We learned to communicate honestly, to make time for one another. We respected and supported each other regardless of how hectic life got.

“We screamed, hollered, and laughed during the whole ride. We got on the Jet Star as friends, but left as something more.”

Thank You! will be entered to win a $25 gift card! It’s just our way of saying

Most people probably recognize the Jet Star from the news coverage of Hurricane Sandy. The coaster’s arched spine rising out of the Atlantic was plastered

I graduated physical therapy assistant school in May, 1999. In August, I proposed, and she made me the happiest man on earth. Seventeen years after getting married, we’re still going strong. Our team’s got some new members, whom we love and support with all our heart. We still make time for one another though. The key is communication. My wife is my best friend, and though it may have its ups and downs, I hope we never get off this crazy roller coaster called love.

on TV screens around the country. My wife and I were heartbroken. I know this town lost so much to Sandy, and I don’t want to sound ungrateful. But that ride represented a lot of memories for us, and for a lot of other couples I’m sure. Seeing it rusting out in the ocean, surrounded by pieces of the shattered pier, it reminded me how much had changed since those carefree days as teenage lovers. When my wife and I first started dating, we burned fast and bright. We went on a lot of spontaneous adventures and vacations. Then, about a year and a half in, we

– David DeLaFuente

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= EDUCATION IN THE KITCHEN

WHAT YOUR CHILD CAN LEARN FROM BAKING

From left to right: Dr. David De La Fuente PT, DPT, Cornerstone Graduate Mia Lancellotti, Dr. Alin George PT, DPT, and Patrick Chinjen PTA

“Before physical therapy, I was having pain in my knee due to stiffness from surgery. Now, I am no longer stiff and my pain has diminished. Plus, I’ve increased the strength in my leg.” –Mia Lancellotti

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you’re probably wracking your brain for the perfect recipe to bake for your loved one. There’s nothing wrong with store-bought chocolate, but there’s no topping the personal touch of some homemade baked goods. If you have kids, baking alongside them can be just as rewarding as enjoying the fruits of your labor. As an added bonus, baking is a hands-on opportunity where your child can learn all sorts of important concepts. Here is a short list of some of the educational lessons hiding in your kitchen. Math Baking is a numbers game. Just take a look at any recipe, and you’ll recognize the importance of math in building a beautiful cake. Having children measure out ingredients helps them learn about fractions and ratios. You can also test your kids by doubling or halving a recipe for multiplication and division practice. With older kids, practice unit conversions by asking, for example, how many pints are in half a gallon. Following Directions Not unlike computer science, baking requires a strict order of operations. The wet and dry ingredients often need to be mixed separately and then folded together. It only takes one deviation from the instructions for a pastry to go from delicious to disgusting. Spending time in the kitchen, then, is a great way for kids to learn the importance of reading directions carefully and comprehending what they’ve just read. Cultural Understanding Cuisine is a fundamental part of every culture. Introducing your child to dishes from around the world will expand their horizons. Want your child to be a less picky eater? Involving them in the cooking process is the surest way to get them excited about trying new flavors and ingredients. Nutrition Now, you might not think that baking cookies will encourage greater nutritional awareness, but hear us out. Sugar is often buried within packaged foods. When you bake something at home, a child gets to see, firsthand, just how much sugar goes into certain sweets. Meanwhile, cooking savory dishes also allows them to learn what constitutes a balanced, healthy diet.

From left to right: Dr. David De La Fuente PT, DPT, Cornerstone Graduate Anthony Paltan, Patrick Chinjen, PTA, and Christopher DaSilva, PT, Aide

“My experience here was great. There are great people here. Before my physical therapy, I had trouble with my left ankle. I could not play soccer or make any sharp turns without pain. But after my experience, I have gotten a lot stronger and can now return to my sport.”

–Anthony Paltan

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THE ART OF MASSAGE One of the many ways we help our patients here at Cornerstone Physical Therapy Health and Wellness Center is through massage therapy. Not only does this medical treatment aid recovery from a wide variety of injuries, it also feels good. That being said, the average person may not know a whole lot about the practice and application of this rehabilitation modality. So here are some fast facts from the world of massage therapy. medical benefits, a proper massage can leave you feeling happier and healthier. The process reduces the heart rate and lowers blood pressure, rejuvenating the body in the same fashion as a full night of sleep. If you or a loved one are suffering from body aches and pains, please reach out to us. Our licensed professionals are here to help!

Massaging History It is thought that massage may actually be the oldest form of medical care. Among the pharaohs and gods depicted in ancient Egyptian tombs, archaeologists have also found depictions of masseuses. During his reign, Emperor Julius Caesar relied on massages to ease the pain and frequency of his epileptic seizures. Thankfully, you no longer need to be a pharaoh or emperor to enjoy all the benefits from a medically trained massage therapist. The Therapist It takes a lot of study and practice to become a massage therapist. The United States currently has about 300 accredited massage therapy schools and education programs. Education is paramount, as most states (including New Jersey) require massage therapists to pass an examination in order to get their license. According to an industry survey by the American Massage Therapy Association, the average student logs over 670 hours of initial training. The Benefits Over 50 percent of Americans who received a massage between 2015 and 2016 did so for medical reasons. Many of these patients were seeking pain relief, since massage releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. Beyond the

BACON-WRAPPED TATER TOT BOMBS Sure, your showoff pal can wrap a tater tot with a piece of bacon and call it “The Daniel,” but you can take it a step further. Prepare a couple batches of these savory snacks for your Super Bowl party or the next family get-together. Snag a few for yourself before they disappear!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 slices bacon, quartered • 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

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2 cups frozen tater tots, defrosted

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1 ounce sharp cheddar, cut into 1/4-inch squares

DIRECTIONS

3. Place tots seam side down on baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, using metal tongs to turn halfway through. 4. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.

1. Heat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 2. Press a cheese square into each tot, then wrap with a piece of bacon. Dredge each tot in brown sugar.

Recipe inspired by ThisGrandmaIsFun.com.

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77 Brant Avenue Suite 101 Clark, NJ 07066 732.499.4540 www.cornerstoneptnj.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

INSIDE This Issue

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Our First Date

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Patient Success

Cook Your Way to Better Grades

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Brush Up on Your Massage Knowledge

Not Sure What to Bring to the Super Bowl Party?

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The Most Romantic Destinations on Earth

THE BEST VALENTINE’S GETAWAYS TO FANTASIZE ABOUT

Valentine’s Day is for fancy dinners, heart-shaped boxes packed with subpar chocolates, and fantasizing about the magical places you and your beau would have escaped to — if only you had the PTO. So, grab a glass of bottom-shelf cab sauv, cuddle up next to your special someone, and try to make them feel bad for taking you to Chili’s instead of whisking you away to one of these picturesque fantasy lands. Udaipur, India These days, meandering through the cobblestone streets of Paris with your loved one is très passé. All the real high-rolling romantics are migrating southeast to the famous Oberoi Udaivilas hotel in western India. Set in a traditional Mewari palace, visitors will feel like royalty as they stroll around the labyrinthine gardens that surround the elaborate cream-colored structure. Travelers can relax beside one of the many glassy pools sprinkled throughout the estate, all of which are enthusiastically attended by an unparalleled service staff. Positano, Italy More than perhaps anywhere in the world, this place looks like it was lifted straight from a sappy romance novelist’s imagination. You and your partner can kick back on a balcony overlooking the entirety of this seaside town, taking in the century-old multicolored Italian architecture perched precariously on the

verdant mountainside. Too small to accommodate swarms of tourists, it’s the perfect place to while away the hours ambling from shop to shop, sampling the delicious local cuisine, and maybe taking a dip along the 300-meter beach. The Maldives From a water villa smack dab in the midst of the glassy, ultra-blue Indian Ocean, you and your main squeeze can enjoy utter seclusion. Sip champagne in the shade of a palm overlooking an otherworldly sunset or get a little more adventurous, strap on a mask, and check out the abundant aquatic wildlife. Many hotels in the area even include access to an array of boats, perfect for your own private excursion along the mild waves. Of course, you could also always just stare, dumbfounded, into the horizon, wondering how such a place could actually exist on Earth.

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