Pro PT inc November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

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

Gratitude for Our Team The People Who Embody the Goals of Professional Physical Therapy

Knowing that our staff treats our patients like people — the exact opposite way the traditional medical system treats them — gives me peace of mind. If I thought patient care was suffering, it would be impossible for me to devote energy to other aspects of the practice. Personalized care is the cornerstone of our practice. Without it, we’re utterly lost. Luckily, with the team we have now, that is the last concern I ever have to worry about. The nature of our team is such that we have the time and resources to invest in improving our community as a whole. We run two workshops per month, allowing us to spread the word about alternative treatment options and innovations like our LightForce Class IV Medical Therapy Laser. We’ve also stepped up our philanthropic efforts in 2018. In addition to sponsoring a family during the holidays, we’ve increased our donations to charities. Being able to give back to the community is one of the great joys of having a thriving practice, and we view it as part of our larger mission.

The holiday season is always a reflective time. It’s hard not to look back on the year as we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is a year that I’ll always remember fondly, as it’s been one of growth and development for Professional Physical Therapy.

As we sit down to turkey this year — well, actually, it will be turkey and ham, as my husband hates turkey — I will surely reserve a moment to express my gratitude for our team and

Sarah, Sue K, Alex, Sue F, Greg, Amber

Noreen, Christine, Allie, and Ashlee

Because of what a wonderful year it’s been for the practice, I want to dedicate this issue to the wonderful staff we have here at Professional Physical Therapy. They are the people who keep the practice running smoothly and provide exceptional care to our patients. It’s a total team effort; everyone believes in our common goals and putting patients first is the mutual top priority. We like to think of our mission, purpose, and values as the DNA of Professional Physical Therapy. Just like our own DNA informs the way we act, I expect our company DNA to influence every aspect of the practice — it needs to be in our blood, and we need to live it every day. To have a team that takes that DNA seriously is something I’ll never take for granted. That’s doubly true as I’ve taken more time to focus on expanding our practice and its involvement in the community. I’ve always loved being a clinician, but improving myself as a business owner requires another skill set entirely. In order to step away from patient care and spend more time on being a business owner, I needed to feel comfortable with our staff embodying our DNA.

patients. You have all contributed to making 2018 the best year yet for Professional Physical Therapy. For that, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to properly thank you, but it won’t stop me from trying.

– Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz

Professional Physical Therapy | 508-528-6100 • 1

‘Tis the season to flock to the stores to find the hottest deals on the coolest products just in time for the holidays. For older adults, however, braving a crowded parking lot and long lines can be a painful, difficult ordeal. Luckily, you don’t have to participate in this “rate” race in order to give your grandchildren presents they’ll cherish for years to come. Follow these steps to generate ideas for affordable, unforgettable gifts. STEP 1: MAKE A BUDGET Regardless of how much you’ve saved for retirement, you need to consider the finances. The best way to establish a budget is to set aside a holiday fund including the total amount of money you’re comfortable spending. Divide that total by the number of grandchildren you have, and you’ll now know approximately how much you can spend on each gift. Remember, too, that many presents don’t have to come with a price tag. STEP 2: TALK TO THE PARENTS Parents are the best resource for ideas of what is and isn’t an appropriate gift. They can tell you what each child is interested in, as well as list any gifts to avoid. Parents’ insights will prove invaluable when it comes time to make a decision, especially because different parents have varying ideas of what’s acceptable. GetYour Grandchildren the Perfect Gifts

STEP 3: GIVE AN EXPERIENCE Consider giving an experience-based gift rather than a toy or material object. Maybe you want to give all of the children in one family tickets for a getaway. Perhaps you want to accompany them to a museum or sporting event. No matter the experience that fits your family best, these gifts can create lasting memories for everyone. STEP 4: ADD A THOUGHTFUL TOUCH After you’ve purchased all of your gifts, take the time to add something personal to each of them. A handwritten letter, old photos, or other mementos could end up having just as much of an impact as the gift itself. It will also let the child know that you’re thinking of them, which is especially meaningful when you can’t spend the holidays together. STEP 5: HAVE FUN Buying gifts for your grandkids should be a joyful experience and a way to express your love. That’s what matters most of all.

Patient

of the Month

JOHN DOHERTY THE JIMMY FUND

“Every year, the sports radio station I listen to has a day of pledges for the Jimmy Fund. Listening to some of the patients (especially the young kids) is both heart-wrenching and rewarding. The people affected by this terrible disease show their courage each and every day, not knowing if tomorrow might be their last.”

John was chosen as patient of the month for many reasons. With challenging odds after a second shoulder surgery, he was able to obtain a great outcome with physical therapy. John was consistent with his program, and although at some points the gains were incremental, he never became discouraged. With a smile and kind word for everybody, he was a pleasure to be around. Great work, John! In honor of John’s excellence, Professional Physical Therapy will be donating $100 to the Jimmy Fund.

– John Doherty

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the

Thanksgiving

1. TRUE OR FALSE: Macy’s was the first store to sponsor a Thanksgiving Day Parade. 2. TRUE OR FALSE: The Patriots have played five games on Thanksgiving. 3. TRUE OR FALSE: Harry Truman began the tradition of pardoning turkeys on Thanksgiving. 4. TRUE OR FALSE: James Madison suggested that the turkey, not the bald eagle, should be the national bird of the United States. AND FINALLY 5. TRUE OR FALSE: You can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) benefits for laser therapy at Professional Physical Therapy.

[Turn over this sheet for answers]

Answer Key 1. FALSE. It was Gimbels in Philadelphia. 2. TRUE 3. TRUE 4. FALSE. Ben Franklin was the one who suggested this idea. 5.TRUE!!!!!!!!!!

That’s right, your HSA benefits can be used for most physical therapy, including state-of-the-art laser therapy with our LightForce Class IV Medical Therapy Laser. Your benefits expire at the end of the year, so there’s not much time left to try the laser using your benefits. Call our office today to book an appointment.

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

ShowYour Gratitude This Thanksgiving We all know that Thanksgiving is as much about showing appreciation to loved ones as it is about turkey or football. However, did you know that an attitude of gratitude can be beneficial to the person giving thanks? According to Harvard Medical School, “Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” With so many benefits to showing thankfulness, you should consider doing more than just saying grace at Thanksgiving. It won’t just affect those around you; it will enhance your holiday as well. Here are a few ways to demonstrate your gratitude this holiday season. DONATE OR VOLUNTEER When you have a turkey on your table every year, it’s easy to take a communal meal for granted. But there are many people in our community for whom a Thanksgiving feast is far from certain. The Franklin Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels are both great organizations to donate food to. Alternatively, you could spend the morning volunteering at a local soup

kitchen. It’s a minimal time commitment that will make a major difference in the lives of those you serve.

INVITE SOMEONE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE DINE ALONE You probably know somebody who will be spending Thanksgiving alone. They may prefer it that way, but they will definitely appreciate an invitation from your family. If they decline, there’s no need to push. A simple, “We just wanted to offer you the invitation,” will do just fine. Whether or not they show up, they’ll never forget your kind offer. GET KIDS ENGAGED Have you ever heard a child say they’re thankful for a video game at the Thanksgiving table? Well, that probably happened because they didn’t think about gratitude until seconds before their time to speak. To get the little ones excited about sharing their feelings, it’s a great idea to gamify gratitude. The options on how to create a gratitude-themed craft or game are only limited by your imagination. One easy way is to have your children gather leaves to hand out to loved ones, each presented with an acknowledgment of love.

SUCCESS STORIES

Parsnip and Turnip Purée

Inspired by Against All Grain

Ingredients

•

1 pound parsnips, peeled and cubed 1/2 pound turnips, peeled and cubed

• • • •

3 tablespoons butter or ghee

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

“I have been a patient here for lower back, knee, and shoulder therapy. The team at Professional Physical Therapy cured my back issue and has helped me come back from a serious rotator cuff injury. Their training and encouragement have enabled me to regain more function and strength than they or I expected. It has been a great alternative to surgery.” –Bob Halterman

•

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Pinch of fresh ground pepper

•

1/2 cup chicken broth

Directions 1. In a large stock pot filled with 2 quarts water, bring parsnips and turnips to a boil. Cook partially covered for 15 minutes, until fork-tender.

2. Drain vegetables and transfer to a large bowl or food processor.

3. Add broth, butter, salt, thyme, and pepper. If using a food processor, purée until smooth. If using a bowl, mash until smooth and fully combined. Serve.

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

I’m Thankful for Our Team A Gift-Buying Guide for Grandparents Patient of the Month Ways to Show You Care During Thanksgiving Parsnip and Turnip Purée Achieve Balance in Your Belly

BALANCE IN THE BELLY

Why Good Gut Bacteria Die and What You Can Do About It

For most people, simple and small changes to medications or diets will not have much effect on existing gut flora. After all, the average person has roughly 3 pounds of gut bacteria in their system at any given time — that’s about 100 trillion microorganisms working for your body! But when they do die off, all they need is time to repopulate and restore balance to your digestive system. You can help speed up this process by consuming probiotics like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and kombucha.

significant damage to their intestinal flora, leading to digestive issues.

Probiotics play a critical role in your digestive system. These good gut bacteria help your body digest food more efficiently and protect your overall health. However, these microorganisms are susceptible to many negative influences that can cause them to die. More often than not, probiotics die off due to a disruption in the balance of your digestive tract. One of the harmful things to your gut bacteria is antibiotics, which is self-explanatory when you think about it. Antibiotics attack all forms of bacteria in your body, good or bad. In some cases, people who take too many antibiotics or take them for longer than prescribed experience

Another big threat to probiotics is medication in general. When you start or stop a medication, probiotics in your system can be adversely affected. Taking new supplements or changing your dosage can have the same effect. A major change to your diet can also harm your gut flora. If you introduce new foods or alter your diet significantly, it can shock your system with the sudden change, resulting in a die-off. In this case, even an insignificant die-off can cause you to feel under the weather.

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