Physical Therapy Doctor - March 2019

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718-747-2019

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

March 2019

ON THE MOVE

The madness is finally here. As a lifelong basketball fan, I enjoy watching the college tournament, though it does make me want to get back out onto the court myself. I must have been five or six years old when I made my first attempts at dribbling. Of course, I wouldn’t have stuck with the sport as long as I have were it not for my father. At the time, St. Margaret’s Church had basketball clinics every Saturday at 8 a.m. Since I had an interest, my dad signed me up, subjecting me to the worst fate a kid that age can imagine: waking up early on Saturday mornings. Every time, like clockwork, my father would wake me up to go to practice, and each time I would tell him, “I don’t want to goooo.” Thankfully, he didn’t listen to me. When I got home after each practice, I realized what a fun time I’d had and how glad I was that I’d gone. In signing me up for basketball, my dad was looking for a way to keep me and my brother active. “You can’t just sit around all day and watch the boob tube,” he’d say. But more than being a distraction from television, basketball became a formative part of my life. As I grew older, my dad didn’t have to wake me up for practices anymore; I’d do it on my own. I made lifelong friends and learned a lot about personal discipline on that court. Of course, I was also vertically challenged. I didn’t have the height or speed to be a top-tier competitor in high school, but I stuck with basketball regardless. That’s when you truly know you love a sport — when you care more about playing your heart out than you do about the score at the end of the game. My Love of Basketball A GOOD KIND OF MADNESS

To this day, I remember a game my high school team (St. Francis Prep) played against Molloy High School, the real powerhouse in the district. Our coach got our rag-tag team fired up, and we played our absolute best. I don’t recall who won, only that it was an incredibly close game from start to finish and some of the most fun I’ve had in my life.

My boys unwittingly volunteered themselves for a life sentence when they told me one day, “We like playing basketball!” Now I’m the dad waking

“That’s when you truly know you love a sport — when you care more about playing your heart out than you do about the score at the end of the game.”

his sons up to go to practice every Saturday morning — no ifs, ands, or buts. Honestly, I’m probably even more insistent than my dad was. Not only do I know the value of sticking with a sport you’re passionate about, but I also have the

knowledge that comes from being a physical therapist. Years of schooling on the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle definitely instills the importance of keeping your kids off the “boob tube.” Of course, I’ll make an exception this March. With so many great basketball games to watch on TV, you can bet my sons and I will be glued to the screen from time to time. What better way to get fired up before their next game? Whether you love basketball or any other sport, now’s a great time to get back into the swing of things. If you’re looking forward to picking up a physical activity you love but still have some stiffness left over from winter, swing by our clinic! We’re all big sports fans here and will do our part to help you get back out onto the court or field of your choice!

–Dr. Robert Morea 718-747-2019 ▪ THEPTDOCTOR.COM ▪ 1

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D O N A T E W I T H C A R E

THE RIGHT WAY TO DONATE AFTER SPRING-CLEANING

Spring is in the air, and it’s time to celebrate with another round of spring- cleaning. Banish the clutter and make room in your life for something new! Many charities see a sharp increase in donations as spring-cleaning season starts. Donating your used books, kids’ toys, and gently worn clothing allows your old items to have a second life. However, when filling that donation box, make sure you’re donating each item because it can do good and not just because you feel bad about throwing it away. Charities have a big problem with well-meaning citizens dropping off items that are better left in the trash. There are many items charities simply cannot handle. Most charities will have lists of items they can and cannot accept on their websites. Some items that you should not donate include:

• •

Tangled cords or phone chargers Any broken, damaged, or dirty items

These items may be unsafe to sell, costly to ship, or impossible to refurbish effectively. When a charity regularly receives items they cannot use, they have to spend hours of manpower sorting through things that end up in the trash anyway. This process can be expensive for organizations with already-strained resources. Some local charities spend over $1,000 a year on dumpster and trash removal fees for unusable donations. While charities will have no choice but to throw unusable donations in the trash, there are services you can use to make your spring-cleaning eco- friendly, even for items you can’t donate. For example, if you have torn or stained blue jeans, reach out to Blue Jeans Go Green. This program keeps denim out of landfills by turning it into insulation. And while Goodwill can’t take your batteries or old flip phone, you can check out Call2Recycle.org to learn how to safely recycle your e-waste.

• • • •

Expired medications

Old TVs

Cribs

Loose remote controls

• Personal care items, like soap, shampoo, or makeup • Mattresses • Carpets

Your donations can be a big help to local charities. Just don’t “donate” your garbage.

SUCCE S S S TOR I E S !

Hear What Our Clients Are Saying!

“I am 100% better!”

“I can go up and down the stairs without pain.”

“I can walk comfortably for long distances.”

“I am 100% better, thanks to Josh!”

–Joan R.

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Sudoku Train Your Brain With

A NEW HOPE FOR OSGOOD- SCHLATTER DISEASE Trusted Professionals Getting You the Treatment You Deserve A teenager’s struggle to cope with their changing body is just one of the unfortunate growing pains of life — literally. Between puberty and their ever-changing emotions, it can be easy to misdiagnose a real-life condition as something most teenagers normally experience. This is one of the inherent problems with Osgood-Schlatter disease. This painful condition can be caused by overexertion in teens, as their bodies grow more rapidly than any other age group. It is most commonly seen as an aggravating growth in the knee area that occurs near the front of the upper shin bone where it connects to the kneecap itself. Luckily, with treatment from a physical therapy specialist, it can be easily addressed to get your loved one back on the track to success. Unfortunately, before a proper diagnosis is given, it can be easy to think that something much less sinister is occurring. The symptoms normally associated with Osgood-Schlatter disease include pain that grows worse with exercise, loss of knee motion, a bony growth at the top of the shin, discomfort during mundane activities, and a loss of strength in the quadriceps — all of which could be misconstrued as symptoms of soreness or injuries related to athletic activities. Diagnosis is performed through a series of tests, including looking at the patient’s lifestyle and medical history and performing scans like MRIs or X-rays. That’s when your physical therapist can truly begin to work their magic. Alongside a specialized treatment plan put in place by your PT, sufferers of Osgood-Schlatter can expect to return to full form after treatment is complete. Physical therapy can contribute to your recovery with range of motion therapy, strength training, pain management, functional training, manual therapy, and a higher level of education about your condition. In most cases, this is all it takes to get you comfortable with your daily life again and looking forward to the activities you most enjoy. No matter how much pain or discomfort you’re experiencing, a conversation with the trusted professionals at The Physical Therapy Doctor is sure to put your mind and body at ease.

Recipe of the Month:

Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine

BEET, MINT, AND RICOTTA HUMMUS

A delicious and healthy take on the classic Levantine spread, this hummus will brighten up your March Madness snack spread.

INGREDIENTS

•

1 6-ounce beet (about the size of an adult fist), scrubbed 1 15 1/2-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

•

1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste

•

•

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

• • • •

1/3 cup tahini, well-mixed 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup ricotta cheese

• •

1/4 teaspoon ground coriander Mint leaves, poppy seeds, and olive oil, for garnish

1 garlic clove, grated

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Wrap beet tightly in foil. On a foil-lined baking sheet, roast wrapped beet until fork tender, about 60–70 minutes. 3. While beet is roasting, blend chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, ricotta, garlic, salt, pepper, and coriander until smooth. 4. Once beet is cool enough to handle, use a paper towel to remove beet skin. Trim root end and cut into small pieces. Add to blender or food processor, and blend until entire mixture is smooth. Add additional salt if desired. 5. Transfer to a shallow bowl, top with garnishes, and serve.

718-747-2019 ▪ THEPTDOCTOR.COM ▪ 3

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718-747-2019

212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360

Hours of Operation: M 8–4 | T 8–7 | W 9–2 | Th 8–7 | F 8–4 | Sat 9–12 theptdoctor.com

INSIDE

Robert Talks March Madness Why Charities Hate Spring-Cleaning Hear From Our Clients Beet, Mint, and Ricotta Hummus A Look at the Symptoms and Treatments for Osgood-Schlatter Disease Family Activities for St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Family-Friendly Activities EXPLORING IRISH CULTURE Another way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your family is to sit down and read about Irish culture with your kids. Learn where the legend of the leprechaun came from or read other stories from Irish folklore. You can also watch videos of Irish dance performances and encourage the kids to make their own. There’s also fascinating history on St. Patrick and why he became the patron of the holiday that your family members can research together. If you have Irish roots, tell your kids about your heritage. WATCH IRISH MOVIES For a relaxing activity, settle down in front of the TV for a movie night filled with films related to Irish culture. Try “The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns,” “Song of the Sea,” “The Luck of the Irish,” or “The Secret of Kells.” MAKE AN IMPACT Teach your kids how to be “greener” this month by doing more for the environment. Discuss ways to save energy and water in the home, and talk about the importance of taking a break from electronics and enjoying the outdoors. This list is not exhaustive by any means, but it’s a good start to get your family to create new ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. You might even create family traditions that will last for years to come.

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to mean heading to the local Irish bar and drinking a large green beverage. If you’re not interested in going out this year and would prefer to do something at home with the family, here are a few ways everyone can celebrate. IRISH-THEMED FOOD What better way to get festive than by making some St. Patrick’s Day-themed dishes? You can make rainbow cupcakes, green cookies, St. Patrick’s Day popcorn, or — for a more traditional dish — Irish soda bread. You can also cook up an array of greens for dinner on March 17, which could include Brussels sprouts, spinach, cucumbers, green beans, peas, or asparagus. A MISCHIEVOUS LEPRECHAUN To treat your kids to a fun game, leave green footprints around the house and participate in impish tricks! Empty a tissue box, hide the remote, swap out regular light bulbs with green ones, or draw rainbows on the windows. You’re only limited by your imagination.

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