Pro PT inc April 2018

APRIL 2018

620 Old West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 • 508-528-6100 • www.ProPTinc.com

Nature Shouldn’t Live in Documentaries You Have to Experience It for Yourself

– Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz

PROFESSIONAL PT PATIENTS, ENTER TO WIN!

Review us on Google , refer a friend , or like us on Facebook for a chance to WIN a $25 Gift Card!

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Don’t Miss Out on the Benefits of Pets

Minneapolis, says, “Older pet owners have often told us how incredibly barren and lonely their lives were without their pet’s companionship, even when there were some downsides to owning an active pet.”

We tend to picture energetic dogs and cats thriving in young families with children, but animals are often happy to live with older, less active adults. These kinds of homes are especially suited to older animals that might otherwise have to spend their last days in the pound. Depending on your schedule and mobility, you might not want to adopt a large dog. But small lap dogs, cuddly cats, and even birds can make a great addition to your home. As long as you do not suffer from allergies, having a pet can be great for your health. The American Heart Association says pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, may be linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers found evidence to support this claim when they discovered that registered dog owners in Sweden had lower rates of cardiovascular disease and a lower risk of death than individuals without dogs. Physical fitness is far from the only benefit of pet ownership. The love and companionship our animal friends offer can alleviate depression or loneliness. Linda Anderson, founder of the Angel Animals Network in

Caring for a pet takes work, but for many people, the benefits greatly outweigh the challenges. An energetic dog encourages you to leave the house and go for walks, a talkative parrot makes time spent alone less lonely, and a soft cat curled up on your lap helps alleviate a stressful day.

If you can’t have a pet in your home due to lease restrictions or mobility challenges, you don’t have to

miss out on the benefits of being around animals. Consider volunteering at a local animal shelter. You can help care for cats, dogs, and other animals while they wait for their own forever home. There are thousands of pets in shelters across the country waiting for someone to care for them. If there’s room in your retirement plan, why not invite one into your home? You might discover both you and your new friend have something to gain.

Success Stories

“I’ve been coming here for almost eight months since my car accident. At every session, each staff member has been nothing but friendly and helpful. Every time I walk through the door, I’m greeted with a friendly smile. Each staff member

“I realized quite quickly that I am not coordinated enough to climb over a baby gate. This resulted in a fractured ankle, crutches, not being able to go up and down stairs, and general ugh! After two months in a walking cast, the doctor recommended physical therapy. So, it was back to my old

BRAD STEINKA: ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION

stomping grounds. Dr. Patt, Sue, and the entire staff have been amazing. Everyone is friendly and supportive. I felt like I would limp for the rest of my life, but with the help of PT (and diligently doing my exercises at home), I am back to normal. Thanks for all the help and support!”

treats their patients like they’re family. I will truly miss everyone here. I would highly recommend Professional Physical Therapy to anyone in need of PT services. Thank you all so very much for everything you have done for me!”

–Caroline Pendleton

–Laurie Pirrello

“I came in eight weeks ago after knee surgery. I had minimal pain but poor range of motion. Now, at my last day of therapy, I have no pain and complete range of motion restored! It was totally worth all the work, and I am so thankful for the

“Outstanding therapy! After having knee

surgery, my knee was extremely swollen and my range of motion was awful. Dr. Patt patiently guided me through a series of progressively more difficult exercises. Now, I cannot believe

the improvement! I am very happy that I worked with Dr. Patt and the other therapists and staff to complete my program. It was well worth it!”

physical therapists and all of their work getting me back to normal. Thank you to all of the staff. You’re the best!”

–John Powers

–Bob Hehn

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Are you as sick of Nor ’easters as the folks at Professional Physical Therapy? It’s been a brutal winter, but that just makes spring all the sweeter. Unless, of course, you’re dealing with PAIN that’s keeping you from your favorite activities.

Don’t Miss Out On: • Grilling • Gardening • Going to Fenway • And More

FREE CONSULTATION Pick your day Professional Physical Therapy is offering a FREE CONSULTATION on the day of your choice between now and April 30.

Before April 30 Subject to schedule availability and limited to 1 free consultation every 6 months per person.

To schedule your FREE CONSULTATION, call or stop by Professional Physical Therapy today! Professional Physical Therapy 620 Old West Central Street Franklin MA 02038 (508) 528-6100 No matter what kind of pain you’re dealing with, we can help. We treat:

• Back Pain • Neck Pain • Shoulder Pain • Knee Pain • Hip Pain • And More

Spring into 2018 with a pain-free lifestyle , no medication or surgeries needed . Call us today and tell us when you can come in . We look forward to seeing you.

Are You Moving Too Fast?

Slow Down With Meditation

improvement provided by meditation is exploding. In 1980, three papers were published on the topic. By 2014, that number had ballooned to 535.

It seems that in all aspects of our lives, we’re being asked to move faster. Items appear at our doorstep mere hours after we order them online. Fast-food restaurants dot every corner. News alerts and messages from our friends buzz our phones hundreds of times throughout the day. It’s a lot to keep up with, and sometimes it gets overwhelming. The best remedy for this stress is to simply slow down for a few minutes. If you are feeling stressed or fatigued by a constant barrage of information, meditation may be the perfect antidote. For many years, meditation has been stigmatized as New Age hippie-dippy mysticism, but scientific studies have found that the benefits are real. The aptly named neuroscientist Richard Minds, founder of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds, describes how meditation “rewires the brain.” “Research indicated we can actually influence the functional and structural changes in our brains,” Minds says. A UCLA study found that meditators can develop faster mental processing. Other studies have found a correlation between meditation and memory retention. The research into the cognitive

There are many different methods of meditation, but mindfulness meditation is a great starting point. To practice this method, sit comfortably on the floor with your back straight and your legs crossed. Focus on your breathing and note the thoughts that pop into your head without judging them. As you enter a meditative state, you’ll find your thoughts slowing down and your stress dissipating. You can start meditating for short periods, even as little as one to two minutes. With continued practice, you’ll find that you’re able to sit for longer stretches of time. Most experts recommend five- to 10-minute sessions for beginners. Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz practices meditation herself and has found it incredibly helpful in allowing her to remain centered and focused. She’s even turned a few ProPT staffers into avid meditators. If you find yourself struggling to keep up with the pace of modern life, you might be surprised to learn that slowing down for a few minutes each day can help.

Roasted Asparagus With Lemon Breadcrumbs

Recipe inspired by Food and Wine Magazine

Ingredients

My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s for many years, and I saw how much this disease affected her quality of life and the impact that it had on my father as the primary caregiver. Unable to enjoy their golden years as they had planned, they became isolated and did not socialize anymore. Eventually, Mom became very bitter about losing her short-term memory and executive functions, and she took out her frustration on the rest of the family. Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that impacts an entire family. While scientists work hard toward finding answers, treatments, and eventually a cure, people living with Alzheimer’s and their families need all the support they can get to take care of individuals with dementia every day of the week. The Steinka family will match Professional Physical Therapy’s generous donation to this charity. They look forward to the day when a cure for this awful disease is finally realized. When choosing a Patient of the Month, we often look at the journey the patient went through to get to where they are now. Brad has come a long way in his rehab and is now performing activities that he has not been able to do for years. Brad always stayed focused on his goals, even through the discouraging times. His positive attitude, persistence, and outcome made Brad our choice for patient of the month.

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

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2 pounds asparagus

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1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, chopped

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1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

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2 teaspoons lemon zest

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Kosher salt

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Juice of one lemon (not packaged lemon juice)

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Freshly ground pepper

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2 garlic cloves, minced

Directions 1. Heat oven to 425 F. Toss asparagus with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet and bake for 20–26 minutes, turning asparagus halfway through. 2. When asparagus is nearly done, heat remaining olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add breadcrumbs and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and fold in parsley and lemon zest. 3. Transfer asparagus to serving platter, drizzle with lemon juice, and top with breadcrumb mixture.

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www.ProPTinc.com 620 Old West Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 508-528-6100

Thank you for being part of the Professional Physical Therapy family!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

A Different Type of Vacation Do Pets Fit Into Your

Retirement Plan? Office Happenings

The Benefits of Meditation Roasted Asparagus With Lemon Breadcrumbs Have You Tried This Natural Healing Remedy?

EARTHING: Sleep Like You’re on Vacation

of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found earthing helps reduce blood viscosity, which is a major factor in cardiovascular disease. Another study in the Journal of Inflammation Research showed that earthing might speed up healing. Firsthand accounts from individuals who practice earthing often report lower stress levels, increased energy, and better sleep. Many people who practice earthing make it a point to walk outside barefoot on grass, soil, or sand at least once a day. You have to be careful where you walk, as you don’t want to get cut on sharp rocks or broken glass. An alternative to walking barefoot is to use an earthing pad, which can imitate the negative charge of our planet inside your home. Earthing is quickly gaining a following in the health community. If you are looking for a natural way to improve your overall health and sleep better, why not try taking a walk? Just remember to leave your shoes behind.

Earthing, sometimes referred to as “grounding,” helps bring our bodies into a natural balance. The theory states that our bodies naturally develop a positive charge. As leading nutritionist Dr. John Briffa explains, “During the normal processes of metabolism, the body generates what are called ‘reactive oxygen species,’ which are commonly referred to as ‘free radicals’ ... Free radicals lack sparks of energy known as ‘electrons.’” When a molecule lacks electrons, it gives off a positive charge. An unbalanced positive charge contributes to inflammation, which can then cause many chronic diseases, including heart disease. You should balance your natural positive charge with a negative charge. How can you safely expose yourself to a negative charge? Just let your skin touch the earth. Earth gives off a mild electric charge, with plenty of electrons to balance out our overabundance of free radicals. There has yet to be a large-scale scientific study about the benefits of earthing, but current research is promising. One study published in The Journal

Have you ever fallen asleep on the beach after swimming in the ocean? If you have, you know it’s the most restful and relaxing sleep imaginable. You might have thought it was just the result of warm sunlight and vacation vibes, but research suggests you may have been experiencing the effects of a practice called “earthing.”

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