Pro PT inc February 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

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

AView From the Other Side From Practitioner to Parent

I talk often in this newsletter about how the traditional medical industry is not set up to serve patients. It involves dealing with confusing bureaucracy, navigating the complexities of medical insurance, and hoping you end up with a provider you can trust. Professional Physical Therapy stands in opposition to this broken system. We strive to put patients first at all times by giving them recovery options and providing an experience that treats people, not just their injuries. That’s exactly the situation my daughter, Ashley, was in recently when she tore ligaments and fractured bones in her knee. It was a severe injury, the kind for which a more conservative approach simply wasn’t an option. Ashley’s a physical therapist assistant — the apple not falling far from the tree, as it were — so she has a pretty robust understanding of the medical industry. Even with our combined experience, Ashley still had to deal with all the problems a normal patient does. “The surgeon spent maybe five minutes with her and delegated the rest of the appointment to nurses. Needless to say, she didn’t leave beaming with confidence.” But sometimes you can’t avoid surgery after a major injury. Ashley lives in North Carolina, and her first appointment was with the surgeon recommended by her insurance provider. Her experience was, to put it mildly, less than amazing. The nurse expressed amazement as to why she’d waited so long to get an appointment (she couldn’t figure out that an injury that happened in 2018 occurred only weeks ago, not over a year ago). The surgeon spent maybe five minutes with her and delegated the rest of the appointment to nurses. Needless to say, Ashley didn’t leave beaming with confidence. Does that sound familiar to you? Sadly, it’s an all too common experience. Ashley felt slighted and invisible, which isn’t the rapport you want to have with somebody who will be cutting you open. If you end up in a similar situation, I urge you to seek a second opinion. Even if you believe a certain doctor’s diagnosis to be correct, you shouldn’t feel bad about seeking alternatives. A surgery is a major life event, and you want to go into it feeling as secure as you possibly can. That won’t happen if you don’t feel comfortable with the surgeon.

As a parent — and a medical professional — I was infuriated with the lack of care the initial surgeon showed Ashley. A moment later I realized that so many of our patients have dealt with the exact same thing. In fact, almost anyone who has had to deal extensively with medical care can share a story like this one. That’s a shame, but it also reminds me why I founded Professional Physical Therapy in the first place. When you have to deal with the medical establishment, you’re quickly reminded why it is a constant source of strife in this country. Even when you know what to expect, it’s hard to avoid interactions that leave a bad taste in your mouth. Eventually, though, Ashley found a surgeon who put her at ease. However, the question remains the same as ever: Why does it have to be so hard?

– Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz

Professional Physical Therapy | 508-528-6100 • 1

Strength of Mind Tips to Keep Memory Sharp and Improve Cognitive Function

Irish poet Oscar Wilde once called memory “the diary that we all carry about with us.” Of course, in Wilde’s time, the average life expectancy was less than 50 years old. As modern medicine continues to enable people to live longer, these “diaries” tend to become muddled. Fortunately, there are ways to counteract the natural dulling of our memory that comes with time. PUZZLE YOURSELF Just like any other muscle, our brain needs a workout in order to stay strong. As Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson of Harvard Medical School writes, “Challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells.” Activities like solving puzzles, learning a musical instrument, or picking up a new hobby work wonders to keep your mind active and your memory sharp. These mental exercises are especially important after retirement, often to make up for the loss of stimulating challenges that work used to provide. GET PHYSICAL Taking care of our physical health has also been shown to help brain function. According to a study by Sydney University in Australia, aerobic exercise is particularly good at jogging our memory. The researchers note

that “aerobic exercise acts by preventing the usual decrease in neurogenesis associated with aging, thus resulting in greater retention of neural matter — particularly in the hippocampus.” In short, exercises like swimming and running keep the part of our brain responsible for memory from shrinking. SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY Humans are social creatures. Many studies have shown that being a part of a supportive social group can significantly benefit our physical and mental health. In fact, the American Journal of Public Health reports that people who have daily contact with friends and family cut their risk of dementia and mental impairment almost in half. Our mental diaries may be longer and fuller than they were in Wilde’s day, but if we fill those pages with hobbies, exercise, and close friends, our memories will remain sharp and vivid for the rest of our days.

Patient

of the Month

JOHN JUHL

MASS LIONS EYE RESEARCH FUND (MLERF)

“As a member of the Lions, I have followed the work that the Lions Eye Research Fund has done over past decades and the progress they have made in addressing the issues and causes of eye diseases that impact millions of people throughout the world. The Lions Eye Research Fund is well known internationally for its excellence in research. I know that Professional Physical Therapy’s generous donation will be well spent.”

John has been here for just a month, but in that time he has worked very hard after his surgery to reach his goals. If you have seen John working in the clinic, or have seen us working with him, it is evident he is doing everything it takes to reach his goals. John was an easy choice for Patient of the Month.

John

–

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This Valentine’s Day, who will you be showing love to?

Your significant other?

Your secret crush?

Your family?

Your friends?

Yourself?

In addition to sharing your affection with all of these worthy recipients, we hope you’ll show your love for Professional Physical Therapy by reviewing us on Facebook, Google, and Yelp. Turn over this insert to find out how.

There is no greater valentine we can receive than kind words from the people we treat and serve. We value your opinion, and we hope you’ll express it by reviewing us.

Find us here:

Facebook (@ProPTInc)

Google (Professional Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Inc)

Yelp (Professional Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine)

Thank you so much for taking a moment to show your affection for our practice. We greatly appreciate it.

Professional Physical Therapy 620 Old West Central Street Franklin MA 02038 508-526-6100

The Plant-Based Food Revolution

Why High-Tech Veggie Burgers Are Here to Stay

crucial of these, called “heme,” allows scientists to create a burger that replicates the umami flavors found in beef. The Impossible Burger is such a convincing facsimile that it even “bleeds” like real meat does. Seeing the success of Impossible Foods and the changing attitudes toward plant-based substitutes, Beyond Meat joined the fold as Impossible Food’s primary competitor. What started as a niche concern is now a mainstream trend, with Impossible Foods supplying more than 3,000 restaurants and Beyond Meat creating a brand-new 26,000-square-foot lab to investigate possible applications. Consumers are loving the opportunity to try out these new products and decrease the amount of animal products they consume. In the latest annual report from food delivery service Uber

While the number of vegetarians and vegans in the United States increases every year, there will always be people who struggle to find acceptable meat substitutes. If you’ve tried to eat less meat in the past, only to be turned off by poor imitations of the real thing, you’ll be excited to know that many companies are developing ways to provide diners with plant-based foods without compromising flavor or texture. The first company to put their stamp on this exciting new trend was Impossible Foods. Founded in 2011 by biochemist Dr. Patrick O. Brown, Impossible Foods hit on an innovative way to produce a nonmeat burger. Instead of trying to replicate the texture and flavor of ground beef through the use of substitutes like beans or tofu, the Impossible Burger uses compounds found in plants that mimic the properties of those found in meat. The most

Eats, the company predicts that plant-based, healthy options will be a major trend for 2019. “People aren’t just ordering in Chinese food and pizza anymore. As wellness gets more and more popular, we’ve seen a spike in searches for clean- eating staples [with] meat-alternatives,” the report states. While going vegetarian may be a bit extreme for many Americans, all of us could stand to eat a little less meat than we currently do. If you want to experience what the future of plant-based foods looks like, order an Impossible Burger the next time you see it on a menu.

SUCCESS STORIES

“I came here with a frozen shoulder due to exercises I had done. When I arrived at ProPT, my range of mobility was limited, and everyday movements were extremely painful. Dr. Patt assessed me, and I started my eight-week program of PT. Each week I improved and felt improved range of motion. When I started I couldn’t fasten my seatbelt without pain; now I am completely pain- free! Overall it’s been a good experience. Eight weeks of physical therapy later, and I’m as good as new! Thank you to the staff for helping me through this journey.”

Tiramisu

Inspired by foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

• • •

2 teaspoons dark rum 24 packaged ladyfingers

• • • •

6 egg yolks

3 tablespoons sugar

1 pound mascarpone cheese 1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled

1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for garnish

–Diane Heun

Directions 1. In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk to beat together egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. 2. Add mascarpone cheese and beat until smooth. 3. Fold in 1 tablespoon of espresso. 4. In a small, shallow dish, combine remaining espresso with rum. Dip each ladyfinger into mixture for 5 seconds. Place soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of a walled baking dish. 5. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture on top of the first layer of ladyfingers. Top with another layer of ladyfingers and another layer of mascarpone. 6. Cover and refrigerate 2–8 hours. 7. Remove from fridge, sprinkle with chocolate shavings, and serve.

“I came here with the option of PT or surgery. Nobody wants surgery! But if the PT didn’t solve my issues, surgery was a must. After a few months of physical therapy here, surgery is not a requirement. Prior to coming I had severe sciatica pain, couldn’t sit for long periods, and my workout regimen was very limited. Since completing PT, I have zero sciatica pain, I can sit, and

I’m almost back to my full workout/training program. The reduction of pain has been such a great turnaround in my life! I couldn’t have asked for a kinder, more professional and talented team to help with my issue. The experience at ProPT is what any patient would want. Just an amazing team!”

–James Parriott

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

What I Learned From My Daughter’s Injury 3 Ways to Improve Your Memory Patient of the Month A Carnivore’s Plan for Eating Greener Tiramisu Couples Who Sweat Together Stay Together

COUPLES WHO SWEAT TOGETHER STAY TOGETHER

PLAY CATCH! Grab a medicine ball and do some overhead passes, feet-to-feet situp passes, and back-to-back twists with each other. All of these easy at-home workouts help build a solid core. GO FOR A RUN! If the weather is nice, the two of you can lace up and hit the pavement together. You could even make a couples playlist to listen to as you run. If the cold temperatures are preventing you from enjoying the great outdoors, head to the gym and challenge each other on side-by-side treadmills. TRY SOME ROCK CLIMBING! This is a great way to get a good workout while simultaneously building trust with your partner. Most rock-climbing gyms offer classes in belaying, and staff members can give you tips to improve your form. Sign up to work with an instructor and test your personal limits together.

Each Valentine’s Day, people all over the world rush to the store to buy chocolates and all the ingredients necessary to whip up a romantic dinner for two. Unfortunately, these calorie-laden holiday traditions can undermine the fitness resolutions you made just six weeks before. Instead of throwing your goals by the wayside this February, why not make fitness a couples activity? The National Library of Medicine published a study showing that couples who focused on their health together went to the gym more often and reported feeling more connected in their relationship. These findings were corroborated by a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Scientists claimed that partners who exercised together reported higher levels of happiness and satisfaction in their relationship. If you and your sweetheart are looking for a romantic way to burn some calories this month, here are some great workout ideas for two.

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