Cornerstone PT - March 2018

March 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

SPRINGING BACK MY DAUGHTER DIDN’T LET INJURY SLOW HER DOWN

Cornerstone PT Patients

This is something we in the PT industry see a lot — folks dealing with sports injuries who want nothing more than to get back in the action. In these cases, honesty is always the best policy. As much as we want to maintain the optimism of our patients, the last thing they need is to push themselves too hard and make their injury worse. Whether or not my daughter’s injury would heal in time for the tournament was up in the air. There are some advantages to having a physical therapist for a dad. It just so happened that a few weeks prior, Cornerstone PT had gotten its first Class IV laser. Using this new hardware, we managed to reduce the wrist swelling substantially. Throughout her treatment, my daughter kept practicing. Her coach accommodated her, allowing her to do conditioning training with the rest of the team, as well as showing her some one-handed batting exercises. Where other 12-year-olds would see an excuse to stay home from practice, she was more driven than ever before. My daughter has never been one for taking the easy road. In fact, the reason she chose to join the team she’s on is because of the intensity of their training regimen. Joining this club meant leaving the friends she’s known and played with for years, and it also meant she’d have to give up other sports so she could train year-round. She was ready to make these sacrifices, because it meant she could grow as a player. Ultimately, the wrist healed, and she was able to play in the tournament. My wife and I could not be prouder of her drive, dedication, and maturity. More importantly, her smile when we were at the airport let me know that she is proud of herself. That’s what matters most of all.

I’ve talked a lot in this newsletter about my daughter’s involvement in softball. She’s always been a hardworking athlete, and her drive is enough to make any father proud. But this past year, and the last two months especially, her dedication has been nothing short of inspiring. The start of the 2018 softball season begins with a Presidents Day tournament in Florida. My daughter talked about this event all winter, using it to motivate her through offseason training. By January, her excitement was palpable. Then, a bat slammed into her wrist. “Where other 12-year-olds would see an excuse to stay home from practice, she was more driven than ever before.” The injury was bad enough to send her to the ER. Thankfully, the X-rays showed that there were no fractures, although the swelling and contusions were significant. Despite the pain, my daughter only cared about one thing: Was her catching hand going to be okay for the tournament?

VIP Referral Patient of the Month!

JACQUELYN BALASIA

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

– David DeLaFuente

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A RAY OF

“Having being diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis 25 years ago, I’ve had my share of pinched nerves. Most resolved by themselves in two weeks. This past October, a problem developed in my left arm and shoulder. I could not sit upright for long, I could not drive, and I could not lay flat in bed. This would not resolve by itself, so I came back to Cornerstone expecting to be told that I would need disc surgery! Pain (not just discomfort) was rated at 9.5. Dave reassured me they would do their best, and along with Gio and mostly PJ, after slightly more than two months, I am pain-free ! They are miracle workers! Kudos to Cornerstone.” –Thomas Stagich From left to right: Christopher DaSilva (PT aide), Thomas Stagich (recent Cornerstone graduate), and Patrick Chinjen (PTA)

HOPE Cornerstone Physical Therapy Health and Wellness Center is excited to announce that we now offer Deep Tissue Laser Therapy. The addition of a Class IV Lightforce therapy system to our clinic allows us to offer patients a wide range of rehabilitation options. From muscle tissue repair to pain management, this cutting-edge technology is changing the world of physical therapy for the better. It may sound like science fiction, but laser therapy is a proven method of treatment for injuries involving damaged tissue. The laser painlessly penetrates the cellular membranes of the injured area. The beams are then absorbed by your mitochondria, the powerhouses of your cells. This energizes the cells, increasing your body’s ability to heal itself on the molecular level. The results are faster treatment times, reduced scarring and inflammation, and less pain. In some cases, this noninvasive procedure can be an alternative to surgery and painkillers or work in conjunction with these treatments. Laser therapy is ideal for patients who lack the range of motion to perform standard physical therapy exercises. As flashy as this new technology sounds, it pairs surprisingly well with the long- standing philosophy of physical therapy. Like many of our oldest stretches and exercises, laser therapy promotes the body’s own healing processes. The result is a more holistic rehabilitation. The addition of our Class IV laser opens many avenues for treatment. If you suffer from a muscle-related injury or are in need of pain management and rehabilitation after a surgery, please schedule a consultation with us. Our expert therapists will help you determine if this cutting-edge treatment is the right option for you. We know that each body and injury is unique, which is why we strive to offer the widest range of rehabilitation options available. If we can’t provide the rehabilitation that is right for you, we’ll help you find the resources you need.

From left to right: Christopher Sola (recent Cornerstone graduate) and Zachary Katzman (PTA)

“My time here at Cornerstone has been really good and very helpful. When I first came here with my injury, I had trouble with my external rotation, strength, and motion. I could not reach things over my head. When I started doing exercises for it and getting it worked on by the therapists, it was better. I started getting my motion and strength back.”

–Christopher Sola

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YOU DON’T NEED TO RELY ON PAINKILLERS PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP

When you’ve been injured and are suffering from chronic pain, there are better alternatives to painkillers. One way is to seek a physical therapist. Instead of exposing yourself to addiction-inducing opioids, strengthening your body can lead to longer-lasting pain relief and is ultimately much healthier for you. Becoming increasingly dependent on opioids or other pain relievers can pose a threat to your overall health. Most people who use opioids suffer from chronic pain, so they take them often and are at a high risk for addiction. Plus, taking painkillers does not actually eliminate any of your physical problems. Opioids can rid you of the pain for a short amount of time, but once they wear off, the pain returns. This dangerous cycle solves none of your long-term problems and only encourages addictive behavior. Physical therapy won’t expose you to painkillers to that extent, nor does it simply mask the pain. A physical therapist views painkillers as very temporary place holders used to soothe pain until your body is in proper shape to fix the long-term problem. They will work with you to strengthen your body in order to move past the pain instead of hiding from it. Better yet, they will set realistic goals for your recovery and put you on the path of accomplishment — without the help of painkillers. If you’re suffering from chronic pain, and taking opioids isn’t something you want to do, talk to a physical therapist. They will be able to determine if you actually need pain medication or if your pain can be treated a better way.

BRAISED CHICKEN AND SPRING VEGETABLES

This simple and delicious one-pot recipe is perfect for a weeknight. It only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on work, but will taste like you spent all day building flavors. It’s a hearty comfort food that’s sure to delight eaters of all ages.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 large carrots, cut into sticks • 1 tablespoon sugar • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped • Salt and pepper

• 1 tablespoon olive oil • 8 small bone-in chicken thighs • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth • 12 radishes, halved

DIRECTIONS

4. Return chicken to pan, placing on top of vegetables. Gently simmer with lid on pan for 15 to 20 minutes. Finish with chives.

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. 2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Brown in pan for 6 to 7 minutes per side. 3. Remove chicken from pan and scrape off excess fat. Add broth and stir in radishes, carrots, and sugar.

Recipe inspired by Real Simple

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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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My Daughter’s Drive

Hear What Our Patients Are Saying

A Ray of Hope

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An Alternative to Painkillers

Braised Chicken and Spring Vegetables

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The 3 Best Places to See Beautiful Flowers

EARTH’S MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER DISPLAYS Spring is here, which means flora will soon be in full bloom. Flowers can be an easy pick-me-up or a great way to add color to your home, but some people take their flower obsession to the next level by planning botanical-themed vacations. Here are some of the most impressive gardens and flower displays in the world. Netherlands Holland, most famous for its tulips, always draws visitors at the first sign of spring. One of its most famous destinations, Keukenhof, located in Lisse, is among the world’s largest flower gardens. The park is 79 acres and boasts approximately 7 million flowers each year. This colorful garden is open annually from mid-March to mid-May, but mid-April is the ideal time to see the tulips. Washington, D.C. Besides the monuments and historic buildings, one of the biggest attractions in Washington, D.C. is the cherry tree blossoms. Travelers who visit the Tidal Basin during the spring can witness 3,000 trees, which were a gift from Tokyo in 1912, flaunt their beautiful pink blossoms. The best time to see the spectacle is from the end of March through the end of April.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Desert lavender, flowering cacti, pygmy poppies, and rock daisies are just a few of the many wildflowers decorating Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The various native species are often seen weaved together to form a colorful carpet over any barren patch in the park, which is located just two hours from San Diego. In addition to flowers, visitors often spot bighorn sheep. Wildflower blossoms vary in intensity each year, but they typically begin to bloom in late February or early March.

Next time you’re planning a spring trip, consider visiting one of the world’s most beautiful flower displays. No green thumb required.

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