Pro PT inc December 2018

Pro PT inc December 2018

DECEMBER 2018

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

Home IsWhere the Heart Is And Our Hearts Couldn’t Be Happier in Franklin

As exciting as the growth is, what’s equally impressive is the fact that Franklin still retains its spirit and sense of community. When new residents move in, there’s always a fear that a place where everybody once knew each other will quickly become impersonal and anonymous. In my experience, that hasn’t happened here. Our community remains one that supports each other through thick and thin. Contributing to the community has always been part of our mission, and it’s wonderful to see our patients share that value with us. Every month, we honor a particular patient and contribute to a charity in their name. More often than not, they pick a local organization that’s helping people right here in our city. We also host free workshops in an attempt to educate as many people as possible on the benefits of physical therapy. In fact, we have two such workshops coming up soon, and you can read about them in the insert accompanying this newsletter. Over the years, we’ve also built longstanding relationships with some of the charities in our area. In particular, we work with the Franklin Food Pantry and the Santa Foundation every year. During this time of year, we join forces with the Santa Foundation to help make the holidays a little brighter for families in Franklin who are struggling. Without fail, we always have patients assist us in this effort, which is a testament to their character and the place they call home. As I look back on 2018, I am humbled by how much I have to celebrate. From the Red Sox winning the World Series to an unforgettable trip to Yellowstone, I’ve witnessed enough magical moments to fill up a decade, let alone a year. But amid all the great things that have happened over the past 12 months, engaging with our patients and community tops the list.

Last month, I paid tribute to the incredible team we have here at Professional Physical Therapy. While we’d be nowhere without our staff, they’re not the only part of the equation that’s kept us in business for more than a quarter-century. The other essential components — incredible patients and an amazing community — are just as worthy of celebrating. So I figured it would only be fair to follow up last month’s article with an expression of gratitude to Franklin and its people.

When I opened Professional Physical Therapy in 1992, Franklin was a town in transition. Back then, we were still a majority working- and middle-class community with a rich Italian-American heritage. It was an ideal place to open a practice because I’ve always wanted to help hardworking people live pain-free and enjoy their lives to the fullest. I couldn’t have known it at the time, but our practice has grown alongside our city since our first days in business. Over the past 15 years, Franklin has exploded. The population has grown by more than 30 percent since our opening day, and we always seem to land near the top of those lists of the fastest-growing cities and towns in New England. Every time I look up, it seems like another restaurant, school, park, or shopping center has opened.

– Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz From the bottom of my heart, thank you, and happy holidays! The holidays are a time to spend at home among loved ones. We’re lucky to call Franklin home, and our family of patients are worthy of more praise than I could ever express.

Professional Physical Therapy | 508-528-6100 • 1

During the season of giving, charities receive a much-needed rush of donations as people open their hearts to others. Unfortunately, criminals are all too willing to abuse this goodwill. According to a report from the Justice Department, Americans over the age of 60 lose over $3 billion a year to scams and fraudsters. As charity scams reach their peak, here’s what you need to do to ensure your donations aren’t lining the pockets of criminals. Stop Donating to Scammers How to Spot Fraud This Holiday Season NEVER GIVE BY PHONE OR EMAIL. Charities regularly reach out to past and potential donors through traditional mail, email, phone calls, or text messages. This means fraudsters will mimic their approach with less noble intentions. Because it’s impossible to determine who is on the other end of a call or email, you should never hand over your credit card information to strangers. If you really are speaking to a representative from a legitimate charity, they will direct you to a secure avenue where you can give without worry. FEELING PRESSURED? WALK AWAY. A lot of charities set goals they want to reach before the new year, but even groups that are hoping to raise a certain amount of money know better than to pressure donors into giving. Donations should always come from the

heart, and it’s a bad sign if someone insists there’s a deadline for giving. As the Better Business Bureau says, “Responsible organizations will welcome your gift tomorrow as much as they do today.” ONLY GIVE TO REPUTABLE CHARITIES. Do some research before donating to charities. Look up any prospective charity on Charity Navigator at CharityNavigator.org. This service flags “high concern” organizations suspected of fraud and ranks how reliable established charities are. Even legitimate organizations can be misleading about how they spend their donations. A good rule of thumb is to avoid organizations that spend more than 25 percent of donations on salaries or administrative costs. There are many amazing charities and organizations that do good work. Stay vigilant to make sure you are bringing joy to the world and not falling for a criminal looking to make a quick buck.

Patient

of the Month

JANINE CROSSLEY CELIAC KIDS CONNECTION

“When I was almost 2 years old, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. As I got older, I thought I was the only person out there who had it, since I was the only member of my family who had it. Then I became part of the celiac support group Celiac Kids Connection. This group taught my parents everything they needed to know to keep me healthy, and then I knew I was not alone.”

Janine has been with us at ProPT for about a year now and has undergone many surgical procedures during that time. All the while, Janine persisted and always did what was necessary to have a successful recovery. We will miss seeing her around the office, but we are happy to know she is doing great on her own!

– Janine Crossley

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Unwrap the gift of knowledge & health with Professional Physical Therapy’s FREE workshops.

Join Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz for our next set of workshops designed to educate you on common ailments and how physical therapy can help relieve them.

Turn over this insert for details on our next two workshops.

Shoulder Pain Workshop Date: Jan. 5th, 2019 Time: 10–11:30am

Back Pain and Sciatica Workshop Date: Jan. 19th, 2019 Time: 10–11:30am

While these events are 100% free, space is limited. Call today to book a place for yourself or a loved one. If you know anybody who could benefit from attending, consider it an extra holiday gift — one that comes with no price tags or strings attached.

Professional Physical Therapy 620 Old West Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 (508) 528-6100

Give the Gift of Health From Fitness to Nutrition and Beyond

because it’s easy to clean and doesn’t retain odors. Takeya makes excellent, durable options in a variety of sizes and colors. These bottles also regulate temperature, keeping water refreshingly cool throughout the day.

Odds are you still have a few more friends and loved ones on your holiday shopping list. If you’re struggling for last-minute ideas, consider giving a gift that encourages the recipient to live their best life through nutrition and fitness. There’s no shortage of awesome options that fit the bill, but here are a few of our favorites.

TRAILHEADS RUNNING GLOVES Telling you that New England winters get frosty is about as obvious as saying that water is wet. Nevertheless, both of those things are true, so it’s important to bundle up for outdoor exercise during this time of year. TrailHeads running gloves are the perfect way to keep your digits protected as you rack up the miles.

KETTLE GRYP Over the past few years, kettlebells have become increasingly

popular because they offer more functional movement possibilities than traditional dumbbells. The problem is that many gyms haven’t swapped over yet, and buying a set of kettlebells for somebody on your list is prohibitively expensive. The Kettle Gryp, a light plastic device, allows you to instantly turn a standard dumbbell into a kettlebell, making it the perfect gift for the fitness fanatic on your list. TAKEYA STAINLESS-STEEL WATER BOTTLE Hydration is one of the pillars of a healthy lifestyle, so a high-quality water bottle is a gift you know will get regular use. Stainless steel is a great option

‘OTTOLENGHI SIMPLE: A COOKBOOK’ The rare cookbook that comprises delicious recipes you can actually make at home, “Ottolenghi Simple” is a great resource for health-conscious eaters. Yotam Ottolenghi, a famed chef based in London, devised the book to feature easy, flavorful dishes that highlight produce above all. With more than 130 recipes, the cook in your life will find more than a few to add to their arsenal.

SUCCESS STORIES

“One of the hardest things for me was stretching into the wall, but now it is much better. Simple things like getting dressed have become much easier as well. I had personal problems going on, but everyone here was always so supportive and helpful during my difficult time. All of the clinicians were fantastic, and the front desk staff was very accommodating. I really want to stress how helpful everyone was during the difficult personal time I was having. This helped with the stress of the whole situation.”

Paleo Hot Chocolate

Inspired by paleohacks.com

–Joyce Miller

Ingredients

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2 cups almond or coconut milk 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

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1 can (14 ounces) coconut cream, chilled

“I came in due to severe lower back pain from a herniated disc. In my time here, all of the staff members were knowledgeable and extremely supportive. Dr. Patt and Sue worked the most with me, and currently I am feeling much improvement. I have been able to get back to the golf course, and I am excited to get back in the gym! The girls up front were awesome and entertaining, and the clinicians were excellent. I would highly recommend them, and I will come back if I need PT.”

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3 tablespoons coconut sugar

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1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions 1. In a large saucepan, bring almond or coconut milk to a boil. 2. Once boiling, remove from heat and gradually stir in cocoa and vanilla until well-combined. 3. To make whipped cream, remove coconut cream from refrigerator and pour into a large bowl; whisk with an electric mixer. Add coconut sugar and mix well.

–Bryan Karas

4. Pour hot chocolate into a mug, top with whipped cream, and enjoy.

Professional Physical Therapy | 508-528-6100 • 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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 Community That Cares Scammed for the Holidays Patient of the Month Gift Ideas for Health Nuts Paleo Hot Chocolate Combat Winter Skin With Natural Solutions

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION FOR DRY SKIN

synthetic versions may soften the skin for a while, but don’t moisturize as well. For natural humectants, use ingredients such as aloe, honey, and glycerin. Natural emollients include shea butter and avocado oil. Lotions with added fragrance can further irritate already-dry skin, so it’s best to use fragrance-free. Once you’ve picked your favorite moisturizer, store it in an obvious place — your desk, nightstand, car — where it’ll serve as a reminder to reapply it throughout the day. Once is not enough, Dr. Marmur points out. A single use is enough protection for only about five minutes. sensitive areas, like your hands and feet, with protective layers. Use warm water instead of hot water to wash, and try to limit showers to less than 10 minutes. Even though they feel good, long, hot showers dry out the skin more. If you live in a cold or dry climate, you might also consider using a humidifier for added moisture. With your moisturizing routine down, protect your skin from the elements by covering

The effects of winter can be harsh on your skin. Dry skin is frustrating, especially when it becomes chapped and cracked. Sunlight, cold and dry air, certain soaps, and chemicals all aggravate and worsen this condition because they weaken the outer layer of skin and make it less capable of retaining and replacing moisture. Your genes are also to blame, since certain skin types are more prone to dryness. You know the old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? When it comes to preventing painful cracked skin, this sage advice holds true. It starts with moisturizing, says dermatologist Ellen Marmur. “The best prevention is to begin using a moisturizer before your hands show signs of dryness.” Two ingredients are key to an effective moisturizer: humectants, which draw moisture from the skin to maintain hydration, and emollients, which smooth the skin and retain moisture. Both come in synthetic and natural forms and are easily found at your local grocery store. Natural humectants and emollients hydrate the skin long-term, while

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