Physical Therapy Doctor - January 2019

Physical Therapy Doctor - January 2019

theptdoctor.com

718.747.2019

Hours of Operation: M 8-4pm | T 8-7pm | W 9-2pm | Th 8-7pm | F 8-4pm | Sat 9-12pm

January 2019

ON THE MOVE

My Goal for Positivity RESOLVED TO BE HAPPY

And just like that, we’re rolling into the new year! It seems like just yesterday I was making plans for 2018. Time really does fly when you’re having fun. I’m sure many of our readers have New Year’s resolutions they are putting in motion, and I wish you the best of luck! If you want to get the jump on those more exercise-oriented goals, but pain is holding you back, well … you know who to call!

and healthy, but the truth is I wouldn’t wish the experience on anyone, no matter their age.

So I’m not being hyperbolic when I say it means the world to me that our staff and patients alike lend their support to this fundraising event every year. Both as a survivor and someone who’s had other relatives face battles with cancer, every step we take toward finding a cure is a good one. But Relay For Life is especially important because it puts the focus on fun, hope, and positive action.

As for me, I have a personal and professional resolution this year, and they’re one and the same: more positivity. I’m a big believer that a

happy staff makes for happy patients, so as we begin the new year, I’m looking for more opportunities for both our team and our community to get out and laugh together. Of course, my mind immediately gravitated toward the Relay for Life. If you recall our newsletters from the spring of last year, we put out the call for anyone who wanted to walk with us during this incredible charity event. The group we got to show up,

This brings me back to my resolution for this year. While treating a nurse who worked at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, we got to talking about her work with cancer patients. She told me she’s seen firsthand that, as she says, “hope does help.”

“It’s an amazing feeling to get to share some laughs with the people you work with every day.”

Those words stuck with me, and as I thought about it, the more I realized this was true for our work as well. Often, the more positive patients we treat are the ones who stick to their exercises and become more independent. In other words, positivity does aid recovery. So that’s my resolution this year. More smiles, more laughs, more positivity. I’ve already got the date of this year’s Relay for Life marked on my calendar — June 1, if you’re interested. So, needless to say, I am wishing you a very happy new year!

dubbed “Team Fearless” by the MC, had a blast. As a competitive person, it was so fun to see my staff, fellow therapists, and even a few patients get passionate about the races and tug of war competitions. It’s an amazing feeling to get to share some laughs with the people you work with every day. Better still, Relay For Life is a charity that I hold very near and dear to my heart. For those who don’t know, I am a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed when I was just 19 years old. Thankfully, they caught it early. Still, it took many surgeries, and it was a scary time for me and my family. Statistically, I’m lucky to have gotten it while I was young

–Dr. Robert Morea 718.747.2019 ▪ THEPTDOCTOR.COM ▪ 1

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MOM R E A L L Y D O E S K N OW B E S T 3 WIVES’ TALES PROVEN TRUE

HEARTBURN MEANS A HAIRY BABY It’s hard to list wives’ tales without bringing up one about pregnancy. Many are solely based on intuition, but a few that sound odd are legitimate. In 2007, a study done by Johns Hopkins attempted to debunk the myth that heartburn during pregnancy would mean a hairy baby at birth. Instead of proving it wrong, they found that 82 percent of women with severe heartburn during pregnancy gave birth to hairy babies. Turns out the hormones that cause heartburn in pregnant women also affect fetal hair growth. JOINT PAIN PREDICTS THE WEATHER Did you ever look at your mom with skepticism when she would predict rain because her knees hurt? If so, you might owe your mom an apology, because there is a scientific connection. The drop in barometric pressure that’s common during storm weather causes pain in arthritic joints.

“Make a face like that, and it’ll stay that way forever.” You may have heard something like this from Mom’s book of wisdom. Maybe you never disputed the idea that mother knows best. But as you grew up, it slowly became clear that hair doesn’t grow back faster and thicker if you shave it, cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis, and gum doesn’t stay in your stomach for months after you swallow it. After a whirlwind of wives’ tales over the years, many common claims have been put under scrutiny. Wives’ tales have been known as pseudoscience and blind intuition, but even as many were disproved, some surprisingly proved to hold weight. Here are three wives’ tales that have proven to be true. GARLIC CURES COLDS For decades, moms have professed the healing properties of garlic, suggesting it can cure colds and help the body fight sickness. It turns out they were absolutely right. Garlic has antiviral properties that strengthen the immune system and nutrients that help combat illnesses. The effects of garlic can actually be more effective than over-the-counter flu medications. Some studies show that regular consumption of raw garlic lessens the likelihood of getting a cold, so if you feel a tickle in your throat, try a clove before you open the medicine cabinet.

SUCCE S S S TOR I E S !

Hear What Our Clients Are Saying!

“For several years, I have been living with lower back pain. In the morning, I would get out of bed and feel serious discomfort and pain in my lower back and on my left side. Also, after a day of golf, my back would be sore, and the tightness and soreness would continue into the following day.”

“Back pain… 90% improved”

“I seriously thought of going to a spine surgeon to address what was originally diagnosed as a herniated disc.”

“I attended one of Dr. Robert Morea’s seminars and was persuaded to try his therapy approach. I have realized significant improvement in a span of two months. Dr. Michael Banome, my therapist, provided an excellent program. He is a skilled therapy doctor who exhibits an intimate knowledge of the body and delivered a sound approach to improving my condition. His massage therapy coupled with his recommended exercises was the right solution to my problem.” “I would say that I’m 90 percent improved. The tightness and soreness in the morning are gone, and I experience only slight tightness after a day of golf. Great job! Thanks.” – T.G.

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Sudoku Train Your Brain With

3 COMMON CAUSES OF ROTATOR CUFF ISSUES

And How We Can Help!

Since NBA fans are right in the thick of the 2018–2019 season, the chances of hearing about athletic injuries or watching them happen out on the court is significantly heightened. Some of the most common injuries among ball players are rotator cuff tendonitis and tears. Although basketball doesn’t tend to generate the number of injuries doctors see in football players, the repetitive motions associated with the sport often cause the body to break down more quickly in specific areas. Basketball players in particular are prone to injury due to frequent overhead arm motions when shooting, passing, or rebounding. For those of us who didn’t quite make the Knicks team, shoulder injuries still pose a very real threat. Here are three of the most common causes of rotator cuff issues in everyday life. 1. REACHING As you take down your holiday decorations around the house, you constantly lift your arms above your head. Whether you’re taking the star off your tree, removing the stockings from your mantel, or climbing up ladders to take down twinkly lights, the repetitive movement in your shoulder socket can cause it to become irritated. 2. DRESSING Shoulder injuries can also stem from tasks as simple as getting dressed in the morning. Lifting your arms up to fix your hair or to slide a shirt over your head are often overlooked but can be problematic motions for your rotator cuffs. Additionally, reaching behind your back to loop a belt or clip a bra are movements that are somewhat unnatural to your shoulder and can cause pain as well. 3. DRIVING While it may surprise you, the motions associated with driving are also some of the common causes of rotator cuff issues. Spinning your wheel, stretching for the radio, and reaching into the backseat can also lead to loads of trouble. Our team is very familiar with injuries to the shoulder, and we’ve found that successful treatment for rotator cuff impingement and tendonitis involves a hands-on approach followed by specific exercises performed properly. This should leave you with less pain, less inflammation, better motion, improved strength, and prevent the pain from ever returning. If you notice habitual pain in your shoulder area, please don’t hesitate to give our office a call!

Recipe of the Month:

Inspired by Bon Appétit

CITRUS AND AVOCADO SALAD

Winter is the height of citrus season, so it’s a perfect time to experiment with oranges and lemons. Roasting the fruits concentrates their flavor and makes the skins edible, creating a blast of flavor for this winter salad.

INGREDIENTS

•

1 blood, cara cara, or navel orange, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded 1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8-inch thick and deseeded 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• • • • • •

1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 bunch arugula

•

1/2 cup fresh mint leaves 1 avocado, cut into wedges Salt and pepper, to taste

•

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss citrus slices with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast citrus until lightly charred and caramelized, about 10–15 minutes. Let cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine onion and lemon juice. Season with salt and let sit for 5 minutes. 4. Add citrus, arugula, and mint to onion mixture. Drizzle with remaining oil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss thoroughly. 5. Add avocado, combing very gently to not crush avocado.

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718.747.2019

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INSIDE

Robert’s New Year’s Resolution 3 Wives’ Tales That Are True Hear From Our Clients Citrus and Avocado Salad 3 Common Causes of

Rotator Cuff Issues Are You Taking Your Longevity Vitamins?

Live Long and Prosper How Longevity Vitamins Can Help You Live a Healthier, Longer Life red fruits and is a powerful antioxidant. In fact, many longevity vitamins are found in fruits and vegetables, but we often don’t eat enough of these foods. “Survival vitamins” are even more critical to your health, and the symptoms are noticeable when you’re deficient. For instance, the main symptom of vitamin C deficiency is scurvy, which causes weakness, soreness, and a number of skin issues, including bruising. It usually takes about a month of vitamin C deficiency before symptoms show. Vitamin K deficiency, on the other hand, can be tougher to diagnose. Vitamin K is essential in forming blood clots. When your body doesn’t get enough vitamin K, excessive bleeding can occur. The vitamin is also needed to produce an enzyme that promotes better blood flow. Over time, low vitamin K levels in the body increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. If you want to live a healthier and longer life, make sure your diet includes these longevity vitamins and minerals. They can give you a significant advantage when paired with a healthy diet and exercise so you can enjoy many more years with your loved ones.

New research suggests that you aren’t getting the key vitamins and minerals you need to live a longer, healthier life.

A 10-year study published in October 2018 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences identified several “longevity vitamins” as necessary to living a healthier, longer life. These are vitamins and minerals that can keep chronic diseases such as heart disease, certain types of cancer, and dementia at bay. Researchers classified the following as “longevity vitamins”: vitamin D, vitamin K, carotenoids (alpha carotene and beta carotene), astaxanthin, ergothioneine, pyrroloquinoline quinone, quinine, taurine, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene.

Some of these vitamins and minerals may sound familiar. Lycopene, for example, is another carotenoid. It’s found in tomatoes and other

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