Pro PT inc June 2018

Pro PT inc June 2018

JUNE 2018

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

Vines,Wines,and UnforgettableTimes My Trip to the Napa Valley

buy from the store. At its heart, it’s an agricultural product that requires dedicated work from farmers and artisans. It reflects the place it comes from, the weather of particular years, and all the hands that touch it along the way. That handmade approach was never more apparent than when we visited Schramsberg, one of the country’s greatest sparkling wine producers. I have to be honest, I’ve never been much of a bubbles person, but that quickly changed. The caves where Schramsberg ages their wine are a sight I’ll never forget. There were racks and racks of bottles stored there to age and mature. Every last one of these bottles is rotated by hand. The care that’s taken to produce this wine is mind-blowing. While we were there, we also had a chance to taste some of the still wines they make, including a bottling that they only make once or twice every decade. Maybe it was because we were at the winery, but it was probably the single best wine I’ve ever tasted. One of the Schramsberg employees recommended we go the Palmaz winery, because their technological approach is “the exact opposite” of Schramsberg. Somebody telling you to experience the antithesis of what they make perfectly sums up the experience of Napa Valley for me. It’s a place where there’s no one way to make good wine or enjoy it. Everybody does things their own way, with a love for the land they farm and the wine they produce. After returning, my husband and I couldn’t stop talking about how wonderful our trip was. We learned, we laughed, we ate delicious cheese, and we sure as hell drank some incredible wine.

I recently returned from a conference in California. While the event itself was great, that’s not what I want to tell you about today. Instead, I want to focus on the trip my husband and I took while we were in the Golden State. As we were looking at our schedules before the trip, we realized that we had an opportunity to spend a few days in Napa. It ended up being a very smart decision. I enjoy a nice glass of wine as much as the next person, but I’m not an expert by any means. Nevertheless, walking through the vineyards and speaking with the people who’ve devoted their lives to viticulture were eye-opening experiences. Not a single person we spoke to was the least bit snobby, which, I have to admit, I was worried about. Instead, they were all humble folks who were excited to talk about wine and share their passion with us. Our first stop was at the iconic winery of Robert Mondavi. We were so lucky to receive a private tour from a young man who took us through every step of the process. He also provided us a lot of historical perspectives on Mondavi in particular and California wine in general. If people know one type of wine today, it’s probably Napa Valley Cabernet. However, that wasn’t always the case. In the world of wine, Napa’s status is actually relatively recent. Mondavi’s efforts during the ‘60s and ‘70s helped put California on the map. In a sense, walking through the winery was like walking through history. As we spoke to the young man, he mentioned that his father and uncle owned the Prager Winery in St. Helena. We decided to check it out. While we were there, we had the chance to ask a million questions and explore the earth up close. My husband used to be a farmer, so he was thrilled to inspect the soil and pull up some roots. The more wineries we visited, the more we began to realize that wine is a lot more than something you

– Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz

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Improve Cognitive Function in Minutes

THE HIPPOCAMPUS Your hippocampus helps you process and form new memories, and it’s very sensitive to stress. In fact, research shows that your hippocampus will shrink in response to stressful situations and chronic stress. The remedy? Meditation. Dr. Lazar’s study showed a positive correlation between meditation and a higher concentration of gray matter in the left hippocampus. THE AMYGDALA Often called the fear center of the brain, the amygdala is triggered by stressful situations. But unlike the hippocampus, which shrinks in response to stress, the amygdala has been shown to become denser. In one study, people who attended mindfulness meditation classes showed a smaller stress response in brain scans compared to those who did not attend the classes. Meditation may help to decrease the density of the amygdala and therefore increase your ability to handle stress. Of course, in addition to these benefits, there’s a good chance that five minutes of meditation each day will simply make you feel better. People who meditate report an increase in overall well-being. Why not give it a try?

Meditation has often been touted by New Age gurus as a way to find inner peace and stillness. But what if meditating could reduce the effects of aging on your brain? According to research, taking a few minutes out of your day to meditate may improve cognitive function. As meditation’s popularity has spread, so have studies of the practice. The results of 100 studies examining the cognitive effects of meditation all show evidence of improvements in psychological and cognitive functions. Some of the results are intuitive, such as how meditation helps us deal with stress. But other results are incontrovertible, such as scans showing that meditation causes structural changes in the brain. For people facing age-related changes like memory loss, the results of these tests are especially relevant. The studies point to evidence that meditation can strengthen certain areas of the brain — the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the amygdala — that weaken as we age. THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX Your prefrontal cortex thins with age, which is associated with decreased cognitive function in your later years. However, meditation may reduce this age-related thinning. Dr. Sara Lazar, a neuroscientist specializing in the effects of yoga and meditation on cognitive and behavioral function, reports that long- time meditators don’t show a decline in the thickness of the prefrontal cortex.

Patient

of the Month

CAROL FRIGON CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION

“I want to thank all the wonderful therapists and staff at Professional Physical Therapy for their fantastic care during my recovery. I also want to thank Professional Physical Therapy for their generous donation to a cause that is so dear to my heart. The Frigon family would also like to donate $100 along with Professional PT.” – Carol Frigon Carol was chosen as patient of the month because of her persistence and consistency with PT. With her calm demeanor, friendly smile, and hard work, Carol progressed from day one to the best outcome. We know that family is very important to Carol, and it’s nice to consider her part of ours. Way to go, Carol!

“My niece is a beautiful young woman who, at a young age, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Despite the many hurdles that CF has placed on her, she keeps a positive attitude. Carol has a great support system through her wonderful husband, mother and father, sister, grandmother and her beautiful baby niece, who she loves to knit clothing for. “Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic progressive disease that affects many vital organs. Through development and discovery of new medications and treatments over the last few years, people afflicted with CF experience better overall health and extended life expectancy. Carol uses a vibrating vest, which takes the place of chest physical therapy, as well as nebulizer treatments and several oral medications. All of these combine to help keep the symptoms of CF under control.

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Looking For Some Summer Reading?

Pick up a FREE copy of Dr. Stacey’s book Secrets of a Pain-Free Life by visiting Professional Physical Therapy.

It’s the perfect thing to enjoy during the summer, maybe with a glass of wine in your hand. It’s also a great gift for anyone you know suffering from pain.

Dr. Stacey wrote Secrets of a Pain-Free Life to help educate folks on how to live their best life and enjoy their favorite hobbies without the need for surgery, injections, or medication. She wants you to enjoy everything that summer has to offer without having to worry about aches, pains, and discomfort.

Secrets of a Pain-Free Life will benefit people suffering from: • Lower Back Pain

• Neck Pain • Knee Pain

• Sciatica • Arthritis • Headaches • Difficulty Walking • Shoulder Pain • And More

It’s also a great resource for people who simply want to learn a little bit more about physical therapy and conservative, natural care intervention. If you’d like a copy to take to the beach, lake, or wherever the summer may take you, stop by Professional Physical Therapy today. Professional Physical Therapy 620 OldWest Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 (508) 528-6100

Shop Local. Eat Healthy. Save Money.

helps keep costs low. Shipping costs are also significantly lower. Organic tomatoes are expensive in the winter because they need to be shipped from some far-off tropical climate. Eating seasonally and locally allows you to eat the best produce without having to break the bank. Shopping at the farmers market also supports local businesses. Unlike the industrially farmed produce that you’ll find piled on the shelves of your local megamart, all of the items at a farmers market are grown or produced by small farmers and artisans in your area. Supporting these operations is good for the community and environment. We have a local farmers market here in Franklin that opens on the first Friday in June. Over in Natick, there is a massive one that’s open all year. You can also go to localharvest.org to find the farms and markets closest to you. Farmers markets offer healthy, affordable, sustainable, local, and delicious produce. What’s not to love?

America’s food culture has made tremendous strides over the past decade, and farmers markets have played a huge role in that revolution. We used to be known as a country of TV dinners and fast food, but we now boast arguably the most vibrant culinary scene on the planet. You don’t have to go to expensive fine dining restaurants to experience the best local produce. All you have to do is swing by the local farmers market. There are numerous benefits to shopping at a farmers market, but chief among them are variety and freshness. Because the produce offered at a farmers market doesn’t need to be grown in massive quantities, you’ll encounter fruits and vegetables that you won’t find elsewhere. This time of year, you can expect to see stone fruits, spring onions, multiple varieties of radishes, and more. You can also be sure that everything you buy will be remarkably fresh, often picked the same day you take it home. You may think that this bounty would come at an eye-gouging price, but most first-time shoppers are shocked at the affordability of farmers markets. When you buy directly from a farm, you cut out the middleman, which

SUCCESS STORIES

Balsamic Chicken With Bacon and Apples

Inspired by thekitchn.com

Ingredients

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10 ounces Brussels sprouts, halved, stems removed 2 apples, cored, peeled, and coarsely chopped

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1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cut into pieces

“I started having pain in my shoulder after going to the gym. It was painful to turn my head and sleep on my side. I was also having pain shooting down my arm while sitting at work. The team at Professional Physical Therapy was great at figuring out the issue and giving exercises to help relieve the pain and stretch the muscle. It took some time, but I was relieved when the pain went away and I could get back to my activities.”

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• • • • •

1/4 balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

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6 slices bacon, cut into squares

Juice of 1/2 lemon

2 cloves garlic, crushed

–Richard Fernandes

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Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

1/4 cup rosemary, finely chopped

“I have had a very positive experience working with Alex and Amber. Before I started here, my back pain was agonizing, and it was very difficult for me to get through everyday tasks, like standing, walking, and doing things I enjoyed, such

Directions 1. Blend balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon, rosemary, and garlic to create marinade. Pour into bowl or sealable bag and add chicken. Marinate for at least 5 minutes or up to 12 hours. The longer you marinate, the more flavorful the chicken will be. 2. Heat oven to 375 F. Spread Brussels sprouts, bacon, and apples on a baking sheet. Add chicken and pour any extra marinade over the top. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Bake 20–25 minutes until chicken is cooked through. For extra crunchiness, turn the heat up to 425 F for the last 5 minutes.

as exercising and playing with the kids I nanny. Throughout the weeks I was here, my pain slowly decreased and my ability to move improved. I now enjoy running with minimal pain, I sleep better, and I enjoy doing things with a lot less pain than I had before. I am so grateful and happy for all the help I received during my time here!”

–Melissa Sawyer

4. Transfer to platter and serve immediately.

Professional Physical Therapy | 508-528-6100 • 3

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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 History, Culture, and the Earth in a Glass How Meditation Can Help the Aging Brain Patient of the Month Wonders of the Farmers Market Balsamic Chicken With Bacon and Apples A Natural Sweetener With Real Health Benefits

HONE IN ON HONEY

Nature’sWonder Sweetener

within 20 miles. The closer, the better. Keep in mind that it can take several weeks before you feel results. Of course, you won’t find a more delicious way to combat allergies.

The pollens in local honey are just enough to kick your immune system into gear. As a form of immunotherapy, raw, local honey helps your body become acclimated to those allergens. But these three points — raw, unfiltered, and local — are crucial. When honey is processed and filtered, it loses practically all of its allergy-fighting power and becomes an ordinary sweetener.

Honey is a wonderful all-natural sweetener. Despite being sweet, it comes with actual health benefits — something you can’t say about other types of sugar. But some honeys are better than others, so it’s important to buy the right kind. Raw honey may help your body heal itself more effectively. One study in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine pointed to raw manuka honey as an effective way to speed up the time it takes wounds to heal while also reducing risk of infection. Simply apply manuka honey to a wound and let it do the rest. One of the best types of honey you can buy is raw, unfiltered, local honey. While it isn’t known to decrease the healing time of wounds, it can reduce symptoms related to allergies. Raw honey contains trace amounts of pollen, as well as other allergens from grasses and weeds. Local

Most experts advise finding honey that was produced as close to your home as possible, preferably

honey contains many of the pollens and allergens you would normally breathe in on an average day.

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