Cornerstone PT - April 2018

April 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

Cornerstone PT Patients

APRIL SHOWERS CREATE COUCH POTATOES

VIP Referral Patient of the Month!

Meanwhile, my daughter has discovered the ’90s sitcom “Friends” and has been binge-watching episodes ever since. I was never a huge fan, but my wife was. It’s been fascinating to listen to them bond over the twists and turns of the plot. Each time my daughter experiences a pivotal moment for the first time, my wife has to struggle to keep herself from spoiling the ending. These shared cultural touchstones extend beyond just TV. Often, when it’s raining outside, my son will head down to the basement and work on the model train set he inherited from me. I had these HO-scale model trains from the time I was about his age. However, years in storage from my college days left them a little worse for wear. As a present to my son, we had the old model trains restored to their former glory. My mother-in-law continually takes him to an old-school hobby shop for more tracks and accessories to add to his growing collection. Our basement now has an entire miniature town, complete with farmland, police station, and multiple loops of track for the trains to zip around on. It’s quite impressive. Seeing the amount of dedication and enjoyment my son has gotten out of these models makes me glad I held on to them in the first place. So, I suppose my personal favorite rainy day activity is watching the way my kids are growing up. When we’re in the middle of softball or baseball season, my mind has to be dialed in to the moment, supporting their games and practice schedules and cheering their achievements on the field. It’s nice to have the occasional slow day, when I can stop and observe the big picture. Here’s hoping for just the right amount of rainy days, – David DeLaFuente

The De La Fuente household is almost always in motion, at least when the weather’s nice. We’ve been praying all winter for an early spring so we can get back to the sports and activities we love. While April has brought warmer weather, we still have to put up with the occasional downpour. On those rainy days, we can become regular couch potatoes. Thanks to modern streaming services, it’s easy for us to get caught up on TV shows or watch movies. “The Amazing Race” is a family favorite. Between the drama, competition, and amazing locales, it’s the perfect remedy for an otherwise cloudy day. “Amazing Race” and “Big Brother” are the only two reality shows I can stomach. I can’t speak for the wife and kids though. “The amount of dedication and enjoyment my son has gotten out of these models makes me glad I held on to them in the first place.” There’s definitely some generational gaps in what we like to watch, but I love when the kids stumble across timeless classics. The other day, my son was laughing these big, loud belly laughs from the living room. I came in to find him watching an episode of “Tom and Jerry,” just like when I was a kid. The slapstick humor combined with whimsical animation just doesn’t get old!

JENNIFER KELLY

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

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

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“I can’t say enough about

deep tissue laser therapy. I started treatment on Jan. 8, 2018. I had immediate results in my right knee. Previously, I had cortisone shots and my knee

drained. I’m doing everything to avoid knee replacement, and this is working. I strongly recommend it” –Celeste R.

FAMILY TIME IN

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Family adventures are a great way to grow closer and develop meaningful connections. But with lodging prices rising and the logistical nightmare that traveling with the entire family can be, many Americans are looking at a new option: ditching the beaches and resorts and heading to the great outdoors. Actually, we know this option isn’t new at all. Spending time outdoors with family may very well be one of the most time-honored traditions ever. Camping Lodgings and flights are expensive, so going on a family vacation can cost thousands of dollars — and that’s just for the basics! But camping only requires a tent, a fire, picnic food, and water. Rather than scarfing down fast food between flights and dealing with airport security, departure delays, and long flights, take a deep breath and roast marshmallows over the fire with the people you love. Hiking A hike with family is an easy way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. All a hike requires is a trail and a sense of adventure. The best part of hiking is that you can tailor the distance to fit your family’s needs. If you have children or grandkids who aren’t up for the challenge of an arduous daylong trek, there’s sure to be a shorter scenic trail. If nothing else, you can always turn around and backtrack the way you came. Fishing Fishing is a great way to get out and do something relaxing yet challenging. It doesn’t require a lot of skill or investment. All it takes is the willingness to learn and the desire to connect with nature. This is why fishing is the perfect activity for youngsters of all ages. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your rod and reel and head to the nearest lake or river. While these are all great stand-alone options, together they form an amazing three- headed monster for your next family outing. By combining camping with a hike to a river or lake where you can go fishing, you are sure to create lasting memories with

“Breaking my ankle was one of the most frustrating experiences in my life. It took me out of my last three weeks as a college athlete and left me hardly able to walk for months. Even after getting out of my walking boot and off crutches, I still couldn’t do daily

From left to right: David De La Fuente, PT, DPT; Recent Cornerstone Graduate: Elena Scarano, Zachary Katzman, PTA; Patrick Chinjen, PTA

activities or work out like I used to. After PT at Cornerstone, I am completely back to full strength. I can walk, run, and lift weights in the g ym thanks to the physical therapists there. They made my sessions personalized and functional to my goals. I can’t thank them enough!” –Elena Scarano

your family that will draw you closer together. Ditch the lines at the airport and the stress of travel. Unleash the possibilities of adventure in the great outdoors.

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BECAUSE OF BACK PAIN DON’T GIVE UP YOUR GARDEN

Gardening season is in full swing, and we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to discuss safe practices while tending to your plants . Maintaining a garden is a great activity for people of all ages, but as you grow older, an afternoon among the plants can lead to days of pain. Gardening requires a lot of bending, which can cause back pain if you don’t take the right precautions. Avoiding back strain while in your garden begins before you even get your hands in the dirt. Stretching to warm up your back muscles will make you a lot less stiff. An easy stretch is to lie on your back and bring both knees to your chest while lifting your head forward. A brisk walk of about five minutes can also help your body adjust to the stress of gardening. Once you’re in the weeds, so to speak, it’s important to practice proper technique. Try to avoid bending at the waist while lifting, as it puts undue strain on your lower back. Instead, bend at the knees while

maintaining good posture. And be careful not to overexert yourself. Pots and bags of soil are heavy. Toughing it out in the moment will only lead to pain later on. Take a break to stand and stretch at the first signs of strain to help limit any lingering aches. If you do tend to suffer from back pain, you can use tools designed to ease the stress you put on your body. Cushioned knee pads allow you stay comfortable and supported, and long-handled tools can allow you to garden without having to kneel or bend down excessively. A heavy-duty kneeler will allow you to leverage arm muscles when getting up, reducing the impact on your lower back and legs. Nobody should have to give up their favorite hobby because of pain or the fear of injury. As long as you’re prepared and use proper technique, you can enjoy gardening for many springs to come.

PASTAWITH TURKEY AND BROCCOLI

LOL

This simple, delicious recipe only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s also a great way to encourage kids to eat their broccoli. The next time you make pasta, leave the canned sauce in the pantry and make this instead!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper • Salt • Parmesan cheese

• 3/4 pounds pasta (shells or orecchiette) • 2 cups broccoli florets • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 pound ground turkey

DIRECTIONS

of salt. Cook while breaking up meat with a wooden spoon for 3–5 minutes. 3. Combine turkey with pasta and broccoli mixture, adding the remaining olive oil as you stir. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan cheese.

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli when pasta is 1 minute from done. Drain both and return to pot. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet

over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch

Recipe inspired by realsimple.com

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

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INSIDE This Issue

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What We Do on Rainy Days

Hear What Our Patients Are Saying

3 Awesome Ways to Create Lasting Memories

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A Guide to Pain-Free Gardening

Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli

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3 Places to View Natural Wonders

ONE-OF-A-KIND NATURESCAPES

If you’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, you might see rare magical sights — baby turtles scuttling toward water, glowing lagoons, or a shimmering sky. But when and

That’s the sight you might be treated to at Luminous Lagoon in Jamaica, where dinoflagellates, microscopic organisms in the water, lend their glow to the lagoon. These tiny organisms thrive in areas where salt water and fresh water meet, making the lagoon in springtime an ideal place to see them. Eco tip: To ensure this magical sight will remain for years to come, always go with a “pack it in, pack it out” mentality. Take all of your belongings with you when you leave and be respectful of the beautiful environment that is yours to enjoy. Northern Lights in Scandinavia One of the most elusive natural wonders, the aurora borealis, can only be seen on dark nights in the most northern parts of the world. That makes Sweden and its Scandinavian neighbors a great place to see the phenomenon. From December through April, you’ll have your best chance of seeing the northern lights. Sightings are dependent on solar activity, so it’s impossible to predict the exact timing and location, but they’re easier to see during the longer, darker nights of winter and early spring.

where do you need to be to catch these natural wonders? Sea Turtles Hatching in Hawaii On Oahu’s North Shore, head to Turtle Beach, which gets its name

from the many turtles that nest along its shores. During late spring and summer, the waves subside, allowing turtles to crawl onto the beach to lay their eggs. Baby turtles hatch at night and make their way to the water by the light of the moon. If you do head to the beach at night to see this spectacle, don’t use white light, as it can disrupt the turtles’ progress (that means no flash photography).

Eco tip: Look, but don’t touch! It’s illegal to touch a sea turtle in Hawaii.

Eco tip: Book your trip through a responsible travel company, such as those that practice a fair-trade policy.

Bioluminescent Plankton in Jamaica Imagine looking out at the water as the sky gets dark and seeing it turn a bright, glowing blue.

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