New Jersey Institute of Balance - December 2018

New Jersey Institute of Balance - December 2018

DEC 2018

BULLETIN

This month, we’re taking over the commentary from Dr. Russo for a very special reason. As the new employees at NJIB’s Bayonne location, we’ve been cultivating the passion we have for helping others. We’ve spent months learning about you, so now, we want to formally introduce ourselves! Malia Kamai and Carol Sangi Begin at Our Bayonne Location I’ve been fortunate enough to work in many fields of physical therapy since I graduated from New York University in 1982. I’ve used play to help children feel normal, I’ve helped the elderly find pain relief, and I’ve rehabilitated patients with devastating injuries. I was even responsible for the management of a clinic’s procedures and policies. But what I enjoy most about this career is the opportunity to work with people, regardless of their age or injury. Having a hand in their recovery gives me a feeling of satisfaction that managing a clinic never could. This passion only spurred me to take on a new position as a staff physical therapist at NJIB’s Bayonne location. As a local resident, I’ve always felt a pull toward helping others in my community. I’m an active member in a local women’s group that does fundraising and volunteering at local organizations, I crochet for local charity groups, and my home is always open to any person in need. We’ve welcomed in friends, family, and our children’s friends, even after our two kids moved out. The love in our home also extends to our numerous animals, including the gaggle of pugs, birds, rodents, and fish we’ve loved and our current pet, Kitty. Caring for others isn’t just something I do for my day job. It’s a passion I have 24/7. I’m so grateful that I now get to extend that compassion to my community with the help of a dedicated team. Introducing New Dedicated Experts Caring For Pets and Patients: Carol Sangi

for wellness with helping others, because every day, I educate patients about their body and its intricacies.

I’ve been a licensed physical therapy assistant for the past 10 years, and I’d like to earn my master’s degree one day. I also hope to earn my cupping and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization certificate, so I can continue to help as many patients as possible. My patients continually amaze me, and they encourage me to be the best version of myself. I even began running four years ago because of a patient. He came to my clinic with the goal of bouncing back to run a half marathon. We knew we could make it happen, and I’m proud to say we got that patient running again. I was so inspired by his persistence that I ran a half marathon for his charity group. Since then, I’ve ran multiple 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons. I even ran in the New York City Marathon two years ago! What started as a way to connect with this patient turned into a personal hobby. When I’m not assisting my patients, running all over town, or pushing myself in CrossFit, I’m usually connecting with my friends and their children. I love watching my friends become parents, and I’m excited to see what’s in store for us this holiday season. Thank you to all of our patients for the opportunity to serve my community, and I can’t wait to see how Carol, Dr. Russo, myself, and our dedicated staff can help you. If you are living with pain, we’d love to help. Physical therapy isn’t just the job we chose to do; it’s a calling we’re proud to be dedicated to. Let us show you!

Maternal Passion Turns Into Career: Malia Kamai

–Carol Sangi and Malia Kamai

I’ve always been drawn to helping others, so physical therapy felt like a natural transition. It was a way that I could combine an enthusiasm

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Healthy Food Faux Pas

Misleading Ingredients You Should Avoid

quantities. Unfortunately, most prepackaged salads do not limit dressing portions. A pool of ranch dressing over lettuce will limit the benefits you’ll get from the healthy greens. Additionally, nuts, cheeses, and seeds can be healthy and tasty on your salad, but they should also be eaten in moderation. Dinnertime Deception Your California roll may be hiding more than you think. Sushi is usually rolled in sugar-loaded and carbohydrate-heavy white rice. Aside from the white rice, the more intricate rolls often include toppings and condiments best savored in moderation. If you think you can avoid fried and greasy options by ordering a veggie burger, think again. These meat alternatives often contain another unhealthy dose of rice and are fried or baked in processed oils. While this information may send you into a panic about finding healthy foods, remember to stick to natural, low-additive foods, monitor your portion sizes, and create homemade alternatives to

Instagram models and fitness specialists flood social media feeds with nutrition tips and tricks, but amid the blur of muscled selfies and misguided dieting advertisements, it’s hard to determine what is actually healthy. Arm yourself with the following knowledge about tricky food ingredients, and always question diet fads blasted on social media. Devious Drinks There’s actually no scientific evidence to suggest “performance-enhancing” drinks will make you a better athlete. If you drink sports drinks regularly, you’re actually filling your body with unnecessary sugars and additives. Furthermore, common fruit juices contain a lot of sugar, and skim or fat-free milk contains additives that eliminate the full feeling whole milk provides you. Sneaky Snacks Food marketing labels use the latest diet trends to twist consumers into thinking they’re making smart choices simply because something is labeled “organic” or “low-fat.” Next time you’re shopping for a quick snack, be mindful when grabbing trail mix, yogurt, granola, microwave popcorn, or protein bars. These items are often falsely advertised as healthy options, and while they may contain some nutrients, most people don’t adhere to the listed serving size. When you eat more than recommended, you could be offsetting the nutritional benefits. Lettuce Liars Yes, even salads can be misleading when it comes to dieting. Salad dressing is a yummy way to make a salad more exciting, but it should be doled out in limited Patient Success Story “I came to Physical Therapy because of arm wrestling. When I first started out, I had no mobility in my arm. Lifting items was also a problem. If I were to compare myself to back then, I’ve had a big change. I couldn’t be happier with the results. All in all, it was a great experience, and I would recommend NJIB to everyone.” –Brandon M.

some of your favorites. You don’t have to compromise on taste to get the most nutrition out of your meals. Try cooking your favorite foods from scratch and avoid the consequences of misleading ingredients.

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What Physical Therapy Can Do For Your Carpal Tunnel Give Yourself a Hand

At the three-, six-, and 12-month marks, both groups reported an overall improved state at equal rates.

If you can barely clutch your coffee mug, shoot off an email, or press a button without tingling, numbness, or weakness zipping through your hand or wrist, you may be living with carpal tunnel syndrome. The pain and limited movement caused by carpal tunnel can be exhausting and troublesome, and the numerous treatments available can still leave a patient suffering. Braces, therapy, and surgeries all promise healing options, but what’s the best choice? Turns out, it just might be your body’s strength. Researchers are discovering that physical therapy might be the easiest, safest, and most effective option to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. According to a study published in the March 2017 Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, participating in physical therapy was found to be just as effective as surgery at mitigating the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome. The study followed 50 women who took part in manual physical therapy, where the therapist only used their hands for each 30-minute session. Another 50 women underwent surgery for their carpal tunnel.

On the surface, the study’s focus on women appears to be a downfall. However, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with carpal tunnel than men. Further studies should be conducted with men, but this is promising for those looking to work through pain and gain strength without going under the knife. If this seems too good to be true, consider this: According to an article by WebMD highlighting this study, carpal tunnel surgery fails for 25 percent of patients, and half of those people must undergo surgery again. Try physical therapy to bypass expensive and potentially dangerous surgery options. Even if it doesn’t work for you, therapy will make your body stronger for other treatment options. Surgery should be a last resort, not the premier choice for pain relief.

Learn how NJIB can help you with your carpal tunnel pain by visiting www.njib.org .

After one month, the women who opted for the therapy reported better wrist and hand function compared to those who had undergone surgery.

Roasted Delicata Squash With Almonds

HAVE A LAUGH!

Ingredients

•

3 delicata squash (about 1 pound each), halved and seeded 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or smoked paprika Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

•

1/4 cup roasted almonds, preferably Marcona, coarsely chopped

• •

• •

1 teaspoon agave nectar

Chopped fresh chives, to garnish

•

Directions

1. Heat an oven to 350 F. 2. On a workspace, brush cut sides of squash with olive oil and season cavity with salt, pepper, and Aleppo or paprika. 3. Place squash cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes. 4. Remove squash from oven, let cool for 5 minutes, and top with crushed almonds, chives, and a drizzle of oil and agave nectar. 5. Serve immediately.

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INSIDE This Issue

Meet Malia and Carol

Misleading Foods to Avoid

Patient Success Story

Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel

Roasted Delicata Squash With Almonds

Events With Holiday Spirit

December in Northern New Jersey

Help Others and Get in the Spirit This Season

NorthernNew Jersey has plenty of opportunities for you to help others or enjoy a little self-carewith your family this holiday season. Here are just a fewof the events you can check out!

three sessions is required. Learnmore or register at tinyurl.com/y9hkxbgz . HOPE 10 - The Final Hope Concert When: Sunday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank Admission: $50–$500 Enjoy world-class entertainment and help the community one last time at HOPE 10 - The Final Hope Concert, benefiting the Parker Family Health Center and POAC Autism Services. Held semiannually since 2003, the HOPE concerts have raised funds for local charities and nonprofits in northern New Jersey and will feature musicians such as Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi. Though still unannounced, this year’s lineup for the final concert is sure to impress. For more information or ticketing options, visit TheBaise.org/Events/Hope-10-Final-Hope-Concert .

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Training When: Tuesday, Dec. 11 andThursday, Dec. 13 from 5–9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 15 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Where: Essex County College, Newark Admission: Free The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free income tax preparation support to community members who can’t afford the services of an accounting professional. Training sessions will help volunteers learn more about the program and their responsibilities. Volunteers don’t have to be accounting experts; they just have to be good-natured individuals with a sense of organization. Attendance at all

Annual Hot Chocolate Hike Weekend When: Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Where: Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary Admission: $8 Relax with a warm cup of cocoa and enjoy winter wildlife at the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary! Dress appropriately for a winter hike, as hiking guides encourage you to look for signs of wildlife on a snowy forest adventure. After Jack Frost nips your nose, pop into the historic Stone House for a cup of hot cocoa and a roaring fire. This event is intended for participants ages 2 and up. Learnmore at HartshornArboretum.org .

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