Marron Wellness Center - March/April 2018

Marron Wellness Center - March/April 2018

The

Chiropractic Physical Therapy Acupuncture K-Laser Spinal Decompression

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MARCH/APRIL 2018

The Power of Empathy

Empathy may be the most important asset to a doctor. It’s one thing to know how to heal an injury, but quite another to know how it feels. You can learn how to treat a herniated disk from a textbook, but no amount of reading can show you the pain your patients are actually experiencing. That’s why I’m glad I came into the world of physical therapy from the patient side. Why I Became a Therapist

As a kid, I was always active in sports, which meant getting a lot of injuries. During basketball season of my sophomore year, I needed the help of a physical therapist for the first time. I was playing forward and I went for a fast break down the court. That’s when my leg went out from under me.

“My history with sports injuries made it easy for me to relate to the athletes I treated. I understood both their pain and their drive to recover.”

love of athletics. I studied hard and played hard, earning my doctorate while finding the time to stay active. My history

I hadn’t been fouled; my knee had subluxed. I experienced these minor dislocations of my kneecap growing up, and all the running had made the issue worse. When it gave out, it gave out hard. I hit the ground in agony and had to limp off the court. I knew if I wanted to keep playing the sport I loved, I needed medical help. So, I went to a physical therapy clinic and began the long rehab process. That’s when I first learned the value of a great therapist. They not only helped me overcome my injury, they helped me understand it. When anything goes wrong with your body, it can be a scary thing. Having the knowledge of the root cause of my injury, and how to prevent it from recurring, was a great comfort. With my therapist’s help, I got back to playing basketball. Of course, I’ve always been a believer in giving your all on the court, so my days of sports injuries were far from over. I was in and out of the clinic for a few years, and the profession really grew on me. After I graduated high school, I went straight into a PT education program. I’d always known I wanted to work in a field where I could help people. After my time rehabilitating my knee, I saw that physical therapy offered to combine my compassion with my

with sports injuries made it easy for me to relate to the athletes I treated. I understood both their pain and their drive to recover.

Recently, I had another empathy-building experience. I’d just gotten done playing some competitive basketball when I threw out my back. Turns out I had a herniated disk, something that I’ve helped many patients recover from but had never experienced myself. This made for some interesting moments in the wellness center as I went through the rehabilitation process right beside my patients. This brought my mind back to the importance of being able to empathize with people in my line of work. Sure, you can be compassionate to someone without knowing what their injury feels like. But I’ve found patients really appreciate it when you have firsthand experience of what they’re going through. I remember what it was like to be a patient. I remember how much of a difference it made to understand the problem I was experiencing and being given the knowledge to fix it. That’s why I strive to not only heal, but to educate. I’m so fortunate to have found a clinic that shares that philosophy with me.

–Dr. Joshi

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THE IMPORTANCE OF SPRING CLEANING YOUR UTILITY ROOM Don’t Forget to Clean the Heart of Your Home

In addition to changing the air filter, it’s important to schedule a routine inspection of your home’s HVAC system. This includes an inspection of the appliances themselves and any connecting ducts. Dust, dander, and mold can accumulate in the ducts and spread throughout the home, which can lead to health issues, including respiratory problems. A routine inspection will identify potential problems in your HVAC system. On top of that, you can get these systems professionally cleaned and maintained. These are simple steps that will keep your home’s air systems running smoothly for years to come. Plus, you’ll be ready for the summer months ahead!

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR AIR FILTER?

• Homes with minimal foot traffic (single or double occupancy) and no pets or allergies: six to 12 months. • Family homes (three or more occupants) with no pets or allergies: three to six months. • Family homes with at least one pet or minor allergies: two to three months. • Family homes with multiple pets or allergies: one to two months.

HOW TO USE HEAT AND ICE TREATMENT CORRECTLY

Avoid Further Injury

ICE After an acute injury, it’s important to treat the area with a bag of ice, an ice pack, an ice massage, or any other cooling method for no longer than 20 minutes. Icing will decrease blood flow to the area, which will then decrease any swelling your injury may have caused. The ice will also create a numbing sensation around the area, helping to reduce pain and even prevent muscle spasms. BOTH When you have a chronic injury, you can apply both treatments to ensure you don’t make the injury worse. For example, if you’re about to work out, you should use heat on the area. Warmth will increase blood flow and flexibility. After your workout, icing it for a few minutes can decrease the likelihood of swelling and pain you might experience later. Using heat or cooling treatments can reduce your chances of injuring yourself even further. Knowing when you should and shouldn’t apply the different methods can help your injury heal faster and prevent continuing pain.

If you’ve ever been injured, then you’ve contemplated either applying heat or something cold to treat your ailment. Like many people, you might not know which one to go with. While both can be beneficial, the correct choice depends on what type of injury you have and when you’re applying treatment. An acute injury requires a different method of treatment than a chronic one. HEAT Heat is used to treat chronic injuries because it can help with sore muscles or joint pain. When heat is applied to the area in question, it causes your blood vessels to grow bigger as it raises your skin temperature. Heating pads, hot wet towels, or moist hot packs are ways to safely treat chronic injuries. Remember, contact should be no longer than 20 minutes and you should never apply heat treatments while you’re sleeping.

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How to Avoid Back Pain WHEN GARDENING

Gardening is certainly not a contact sport, but it can be surprisingly hard on the body, especially in terms of causing lower back pain. Because gardening involves a lot of bending, it can require you to sit or stand in awkward positions, which can strain your back. However, there are some things you can do to reduce stress on your back and make gardening a blissful experience. STRETCH To warm up, lay down on your back and pull your knees together to your chest. Keep your ankles together and lower both knees gently to one side, then the other. Then, move your knees back to your chest and gently move your knee toward the shoulder on the

same side. Then, move your knee toward the opposite shoulder and repeat with your other leg. Finally, stand up and do 3–6 backbends. Place your palms near the base of your spine, and bend backward. Your palms will ensure that you don’t bend back too far. AVOID PAIN To avoid back pain, try not to garden for more than 30 minutes at a time. Every five minutes or so, make sure to stand up and perform a couple of backbends. Also, try to avoid standing and bending forward at the waist. Instead, try resting both knees on a pad and supporting yourself with one hand, making sure to keep the neck at a normal position and the spine as straight as possible. If you need to do some

heavy lifting, make sure to lift with your legs, not your back! If your back pain progresses to aching, tingling, or numbness in the buttocks or legs, stop gardening immediately. REMEDIES If you’re still experiencing back pain after gardening, use a hot or cold compress for relief. If there is swelling, make sure to use a cold compress. Sometimes over-the- counter medication like ibuprofen and Tylenol can help, but don’t take more than the recommended dosage. Finally, if your pain lasts more than four weeks, visit your physical therapist for specialized treatment.

Zesty Zucchini Enchiladas Sudoku For a lighter take on enchiladas, go carb-free by swapping tortillas for zucchini!

Ingredients

•

4 large zucchinis

•

2 teaspoons chili powder

•

1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee

•

3 cups cooked, shredded chicken

•

1 large onion, chopped

•

2 cups shredded cheese

•

2 cloves garlic, minced

• Directions 1. Heat oven to 350 F. In a large skillet, heat oil. Add onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt to taste. Stir to combine. Add chicken and 1 cup enchilada sauce. 2. Use vegetable peeler to thinly slice zucchini. Lay out three slices, slightly overlapping, and spoon chicken mixture on top. Roll the zucchini “tortilla” and place on baking sheet. Repeat until all zucchini and chicken is used. 3. Cover the enchiladas with remaining sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 20 minutes, and enjoy! 2 teaspoons cumin

Adapted from delish.com.

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Introductory Chiropractic Package (Value of $270) Receive a full chiropractic examination, up to two X-rays, and your first treatment. Mention the newsletter and receive $10 off! $79.00

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Marron Wellness Center 179 Avenue at the Common #5 Shrewsberry, NJ 07702 732-542-1272 www.marronwellness.com

Inside The Need for Empathy in Therapy

PAGE 1

Spring Clean Your Utility Room

Heat vs. Ice Treatment

PAGE 2

Gardening: A Dangerous Non-Contact ‘Sport’

Go Carb-Free for Dinner

PAGE 3

The 3 Best Places to See Beautiful Flowers

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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 frommid-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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