Physical Therapy Doctor - November 2018

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718.747.2019

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

November 2018

ON THE MOVE

WHAT I’M GRATEFUL FOR

When I reflect on the Thanksgivings of my youth, memories of being stuck in traffic usually come to mind. Every year, my family drove up to my Aunt Pat and Uncle Bob’s house on Long Island, which meant crawling up the “expressway” amid other would-be feasters. In true Queens fashion, my father would swear at the traffic while I sat contentedly playing my Game Boy. You know a holiday was great when you’re even nostalgic for the boring parts.

we’re able to spend moments like this together. These are the Thanksgiving memories I cherish.

“Over the past year, so many of you have dropped by my office or given me a call just to catch up, which has meant the world to me.”

Speaking of gratitude, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our readership. When we started this newsletter, I was transitioning into a new leadership role at the clinic. That responsibility has caused me to scale back the amount of time I get to work

with patients. While this was the right move given our size, I was legitimately worried about losing touch with all of you. The personal bonds and friendships I’ve made with patients over the years is one of my favorite parts about being a therapist. Those fears of losing touch never materialized. Over the past year, so many of you have dropped by my office or given me a call just to catch up, which means the world to me. I never want to change the grassroots feel and interpersonal relationships that made our clinic a success in the first place. And of course, none of this would be possible without our great team here at the clinic. My five amazing and trusted therapists, who treat my patients with care and respect, have made stepping into this role possible. Our whole staff is incredible both at helping folks in need and having fun while doing it. I’m truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life.

And let me tell you, that long, slow journey was always worth it. My aunt and uncle put out quite the spread, featuring at least five dishes every year. The other family members pitched in, of course, and my mom usually made deviled eggs for the potluck. Overall, I remember enjoying all the different foods and how great they tasted together. That’s still my attitude about the feasts today — I want my plate to include a helping of everything! These days, I’m the one who has to drive through the turkey-day traffic. However, the commute to my in-laws’ house isn’t quite as bad. When I’m with my parents, I can witness three generations gathered together. As I sit around the dinner table laughing with my wife, boys, and family, I feel so grateful and lucky for the people in my life. My family is my pillar of support, so watching Michael and Matthew mature into fine young men has been one of the greatest joys of parenthood. I’m grateful that they all have good health and that

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

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A N A T T I T U D E O F G R A T I T U D E

SHOULD LAST BEYOND THANKSGIVING

HOW TO PRACTICE GRATITUDE In the above quotation from Dr. Emmons, he mentions the practice of keeping a gratitude journal. This activity is a great way to start seeing the world with a more positive, appreciative eye. As often as you can, take a few minutes to write down the acts, people, and moments that you’re grateful for. Some will be big, others small — but all will have an impact on your mood and bring a smile to your face. Before you know it, you’ll have an entire book full of good memories and warm feelings. While keeping a journal is great, there are other ways to go about cultivating and expressing gratitude. The easiest one is simply to say “Thanks” whenever you can. It may seem insignificant, but you’d be surprised what a difference it makes. When you approach the world with the perspective that every day is Thanksgiving, it’s only natural to be grateful. We all have moments when we want to curse the world, especially as we get older, and those experiences are perfectly normal. Just as frequently, though, we have moments that are worth celebrating, often with people who are worth appreciating. Which will you think about more?

Taking the time to acknowledge who and what you’re grateful for is a Thanksgiving tradition far more important than turkey or football. It’s the cornerstone of the holiday and the reason we feast together in the first place. But when you really think about it, should expressing our gratitude and appreciation for others be limited to one day every year? Of course not! WHY GRATITUDE MATTERS As we get older, it’s easy to succumb to negativity and pessimism — “Kids these days,” “The world isn’t what it used to be,” etc. The crabby grandparent and angry old neighbor are archetypal depictions of later life. But these fictions don’t have to be your reality. Recognizing and acknowledging gratitude will help you take stock of the positive aspects of your life and dwell less on unhappy thoughts. Being grateful has also been linked to significant health benefits. According to gratitude expert and author Dr. Robert A. Emmons, “Preliminary findings suggest that those who regularly practice grateful thinking do reap emotional, physical, and interpersonal benefits. Adults who keep gratitude journals on a regular basis exercise more regularly, report fewer illness symptoms, feel better about their lives as a whole, and are more optimistic about the future.”

SUCCE S S S TOR I E S !

Hear What Our Clients Are Saying!

“My aches and pain have really stopped.”

“No more falls!”

I wish to say they are very professional in their work. The results are wonderful, and I feel my aches and pain have really stopped. They are so nice, and they listen to what you have to say and also encourage you at the same time. My therapist is Jenove. I can now walk and balance myself. The pain and swelling I felt in my legs has disappeared. I am 100 percent better. – JOSEPHINE S.

No more falls! I have more balance and strength on my feet. I want to thank all the people here for being nice and thank Jenove for helping me improve my balance and get rid of pain in my back. It was a long haul, but we did it!

– EILEEN R.

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A NEW TREATMENT FOR YOUR ARTHRI T IS PAIN

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Would Our Laser Work for You?

As the cold weather creeps in, you might notice more joint aches, pains, and stiffness. These are some of the symptoms associated with arthritis, a condition that affects 54.4 million adults worldwide. This staggering statistic makes it one of the most common causes of disability for people whose conditions are classified into various types of arthritis. Depending on whether a patient struggles with inflammation, infection, or bleeding, each type of arthritis comes with its own unique presentation and can affect some age groups more than others. In the past, arthritis was treated primarily with a combination of medication, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids, surgery, and activity restrictions. But due to the risks associated with these drug types — swelling, stomach ulcers, blood clots, bone loss, and cataracts — physical therapists all over the country are looking for new options to help relieve patients’ arthritic pain. Recent advancements in modern technology have demonstrated the beneficial effects of light on arthritic joints. Because the light increases your cells’ metabolism, it helps reduce inflammation in problematic areas. What’s more, laser therapy is also widely known for its ability to promote healing of the tissue area as well. In this way, not only does the reduced inflammation relieve pain, it can also help heal the area to prevent future swelling. Light therapy has been used successfully to treat arthritis and other types of pain for decades, and its popularity has grown due to the fact that it has no known side effects. The therapists here at The Physical Therapy Doctor do their best to provide you with the most beneficial and effective results, and they fully believe in the value of deep tissue laser therapy. If you have been taking medication for arthritis and are still in pain, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 718.747.2019 to see if laser therapy can work for you.

Recipe of the Month:

Inspired by The New York Times

SPICY, CREAMY SWEET POTATOES

Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but they’re often the blandest thing on the table. Luckily that’s not the case with this recipe, which features Thai spices and coconut milk.

INGREDIENTS

• • •

5 pounds sweet potatoes 1 cup canned coconut milk

• • •

1/2 cup dark brown sugar 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste

1 tablespoon kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes. 4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot.

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INSIDE What I’m Grateful For

How to Give Thanks Year-Round Hear From Our Clients Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes A New Treatment for Your Arthritis Pain

Thanksgiving Dishes Your Table Is Missing

The Most Underrated Thanksgiving Foods

ahead of the main course, as the final touches are put on the turkey, or when the green bean casserole needs a few more minutes in the oven. BRUSSELS SPROUTS These tiny greens often get overlooked during Thanksgiving, but with the right accompaniment, they can make for an extremely tasty and nutritious dish. For example, try roasting halved Brussels sprouts with dried cranberries and bacon, drizzled with a raspberry balsamic vinaigrette. SAUSAGE Put a creative spin on your traditional Thanksgiving dishes and try using sausage in the stuffing. An Italian sausage, for instance, adds a kick of flavor to any stuffing, homemade or from the box. You can also experiment with other kinds of sausage to find the flavors that best complement your stuffing. Use a sweet sausage when you need something to pair with a stuffing that incorporates apples. CRANBERRY SAUCE This Thanksgiving staple rarely gets the attention it deserves. While it’s easy to buy a can of cranberry sauce, you do your guests a culinary disservice by going this route. Instead, make your own cranberry sauce. There are many recipes online, and all you need are some fresh or frozen cranberries, orange juice, and sugar to make the best cranberry sauce of your life.

When you think of Thanksgiving food, the first dishes that pop into your mind are probably turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. They’re a part of nearly every Thanksgiving meal. And while these delicious foods are something you don’t want to skip, there are dishes your table is sorely missing — dishes that don’t get the respect they truly deserve. This Thanksgiving, why not take a look at a few other options? SOUP This is one dish that rarely hits the Thanksgiving table. But try a butternut squash or broccoli cheddar soup and you’ll be surprised just how “at home” it feels among the rest of your spread. It’s perfect to serve

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