Professional Physical Therapy - August 2020

Professional Physical Therapy - August 2020

AUGUST 2020

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

MEET DR. JILL TROVO! The Newest Physical Therapist to Join Our Team

patients. It was our core values that demonstrate these beliefs, above all else, that attracted Dr. Jill to our practice in the first place. When we met, we knew Dr. Jill was exactly the physical therapist we were looking to add to our growing team. The rest, as they say, is history. Like many of our staff, Dr. Jill understands from personal experience the struggle that our patients are going through. She uses that empathy to connect with them and motivate them to do incredible work. I feel that same connection with our patients, and even with Dr. Jill myself because I also suffered a debilitating injury at 16 years old, and a physical therapist helped me work my way through it. It’s these kinds of connections and similarities that make us so passionate about the work we do and achieving that work together.

I’m so excited to introduce to you the newest physical therapist to join our team, Dr. Jill Trovo! Dr. Jill started with us in June after a long search on our part for someone who was not only qualified to provide the excellent care our patients deserve but also really meshed with our company culture and what we’re all about. We were so thrilled to learn all about Dr. Jill and her journey into the world of physical therapy.

Dr. Jill first thought about becoming a physical therapist in high school after experiencing firsthand the positive effects that a physical therapist can have on an individual’s health. She broke her leg when she was just 16 years old and was told by her surgeon that she may never regain full mobility in her ankle after undergoing surgery. It was Dr. Jill’s physical therapist who kept her spirits high during this time and worked with her to gain full motion of her ankle back. The experience made her appreciate the miracles of physical therapy and led her to decide that providing quality care to others is what she was destined to do! She received her doctorate degree in physical therapy in 2016 from Northeastern University after completing her bachelor’s degree in health and science studies at Quinnipiac University in Colorado. Today, Dr. Jill’s goal is to help her patients return to pain-free activities by providing them with hands-on techniques through individualized specific exercises. She believes in a functional and active approach to PT to allow her patients to return to what they love to do and maximize their highest level of function. She is dedicated to expanding her clinical expertise and is currently a certified Graston Technique specialist and is FMT kinesiology taping certified. She also specializes in spinal manipulations and mobilization techniques. She does a lot of manual therapy, which includes a very hands-on approach to deep tissue and joint mobilizations. Dr. Jill’s experience and accolades are impressive, but what really makes us excited to welcome her to our team is her own excitement over our core values. We strive to foster an environment of development and positivity and make these elements known to both our team and our

Welcome to the team, Dr. Jill!

HERE ARE SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT DR. JILL: • She went to college with Dr. Patt. • Her birthday is the Fourth of July. • She has two dogs named Mia and Nina. • She is currently learning how to speak Portuguese. • She hates chocolate and cake! • Her favorite food is pizza (but never Domino’s!). • She’s traveled to 13 different countries.

– Dr . Stacey Raybuck Schatz

Professional Physical Therapy | 508-528-6100 • 1

All About Collagen The Protein That Holds Us Together

skin smoother and stronger for longer. Collagen begins in the body as procollagen, which is created when two amino acids, glycine and proline, combine. Vitamin C aids this process, so any foods with high concentrations of these nutrients help your body produce more collagen.

Even if you have heard of collagen, chances are you don’t know much about what it does for the human body. Collagen makes up a third of the body’s proteins. In some ways, it is the glue that holds our bodies together (the first part of “collagen” comes from the Greek

word “ kolla ,” meaning “glue”). Getting your body to produce more collagen can have amazing health benefits, particularly for those who are aging and noticing more wrinkles. There are around 16 types of collagen proteins in the body, but type 1 collagen makes up roughly 90% of a person’s collagen count. Type 1 collagen gives structure to our tendons, bones, connective tissues, and skin. When we’re younger, our bodies produce enough collagen to keep our skin tight and strong. However, as we age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen, which contributes to thinner skin and wrinkles.

Egg whites are a great source of proline, along with foods like asparagus, cabbage, and dairy products. Additionally, pork skin, chicken skin, and gelatin all have high levels of glycine. If you want to get your vitamin C levels up, citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries are tasty choices. Watch out for foods and habits that can damage your collagen production, like eating lots of refined sugar, exposing your skin to too much sunshine, and smoking.

By adopting habits and diets that enhance collagen production, you can keep yourself looking younger and feeling better, even as you get older.

Fortunately, there are certain foods and nutrients you can consume to boost your collagen production and keep your

Patient

of the Month

ZACHARY LEBLANC TOMORROW FUND

treatment and its compassionate approach to children and their families.

The Tomorrow Fund was founded in 1985 to ease the traumatic financial and emotional stress of childhood cancer. These vital programs are made available to their patients and families from the time of diagnosis, throughout treatment, into recovery, and beyond. They rely solely on contributions to fund their programs. The clinic is widely recognized for its outstanding medical

“I chose the Tomorrow Fund clinic at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in honor of my sister Gabrielle, who was treated twice there for pediatric cancer. The Tomorrow Fund was extremely helpful to my family during that time; because of their care, my sister is healthy and now a nurse who is able to give back to others.” –Zachary 2 • www.ProPTinc.com | Professional Physical Therapy

Zach is recovering from a significant surgery and has been making excellent gains and progress. Zach always works hard when he is in the clinic, and it is evident that he is working hard when he is at home as well. Zach’s time is winding down here, and we wish him the best and it was a pleasure working with him.

MEET DR. JILL! Dr. Jill Trovo is the newest physical therapist to join our team at Professional Physical Therapy, and she can’t wait to meet you! She specializes in manual therapy and can help you get back to living a pain-free life with her functional hands-on techniques.

She’s now accepting new patients, but her schedule is filling up quickly! Make sure you contact our office to schedule a consultation today!

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

About Dr. Jill Trovo Dr. Jill received her doctorate in physical therapy in 2016 from Northeastern University. She believes in a functional and active approach to PT to allow patients to return back to what they love to do and maximize their highest level of function. Dr. Jill is certified in FMT kinesiology taping as well as the Graston Technique. She also specializes in spinal manipulations, mobilization techniques, and deep tissue work. Call 508-528-6100 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jill today!

A Classic Pen on Paper Activity 3 Incredible Reasons to Keep a Journal

RECORDS LIFE EXPERIENCES Young teens often record the heartbreaks and woes of youth, but difficult moments don’t become fewer once we become adults. Taking the time to record the difficulties we experience in our lives helps us both mentally and physically. By recording overwhelming thoughts and even traumatic events into a journal, older adults relieve their minds from thinking about them again and again. This, in turn, can reduce stress and improve sleep. IMPROVES MEMORY One of the most beneficial parts of keeping a journal is that it helps the writer remember whatever it is they’re writing down. The physical act of picking up a pen, opening a journal, and writing an entry compels the writer to recall the subject more strongly than if they were to simply think about it. Better still, you can go back through and reread what you’ve written in past entries, which can also help you remember the events that have already happened. Starting a journal is incredibly helpful, fun, and easy to start. All you need to do is pick out a journal, take up your pen, open to the first page, and start writing.

Keeping a journal or diary is something the younger generation is credited for, but it’s not an activity that’s just for them. Many older adults can benefit from writing down their thoughts and feelings into a journal. Here are three reasons why: STRENGTHENS THE HANDS As we grow older, our muscles weaken and our joints become stiff. This makes it harder to do even the simplest tasks, such as picking up a small object or even grasping a drinking glass. Picking up a pen to write each day, even if it’s for a short time, helps keep these muscles and joints active. Writing gives people a chance to strengthen their hands in a fun and creative way.

SUCCESS STORIES

“At the beginning of physical therapy, I had trouble with fast motions across my body. For example, table tennis was hard to play, but now I am able to move my shoulder as fast as I want in any direction, and I can finally resume my favorite sports.”

Weeknight Curried Apple Pork Chops

– Rhys Duncan

Ingredients

• •

2 tbsp hot curry powder 3 cups diced apples (peeled or not, your choice!)

• • • • • •

2 tbsp coconut oil or ghee

1 cup onion, diced 1 tbsp garlic, crushed

• •

6 pork chops

1 tsp ginger, finely chopped

Cilantro, roughly chopped

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup water or apple juice

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F.

2. In a large pan over medium heat, melt coconut oil or ghee. 3. Add onions, garlic, ginger, and salt. Sauté for 10 minutes or until onions are soft and mixture is fragrant. 4. Mix in water or apple juice and curry powder. Then add apples, ensuring they get coated in sauce. 5. In an oven-safe dish, arrange pork chops, cover with sauce and apple mixture, and cook for 20 minutes (if using bone-in chops, cook for an additional 10 minutes) or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. 6. Garnish with cilantro. Enjoy!

“My physical therapy experience was great. I was a little worried about it being a painful experience, but it wasn’t. I first went to the doctor worried I might have pulled my shoulder because I couldn’t use it for carrying my backpack or turning the wheel in my car; it even bothered me just trying to sleep. It took a while and I had lots of exercises that got my shoulder sore and tired, but I could feel and see how much my shoulder had improved. I am thankful for the whole Professional Physical Therapy staff for helping me on the journey to get my shoulder back to normal. Bicep tendinitis scared me, but with their help, I don’t even notice it anymore. I am 100% better and have full range of motion now.”

– William Came

Inspired by The Primal Desire

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

Meet Dr. Jill Trovo The Protein That Holds Us Together Patient of the Month 3 Benefits of Keeping a Journal Weeknight Curried Apple Pork Chops How Coping Strategies Help With Stress

DEAL WITH YOUR EMOTIONS IN A HEALTHIER WAY Coping Strategies vs. Coping Mechanisms

COPING STRATEGIES VS. MECHANISMS Turning to coping mechanisms is a habit you may have learned as a kid. It’s understandable, and it’s okay. But instead, you want to focus on coping strategies that help you work through challenging emotions and find calm again. Coping strategies are things like breathing exercises, talk therapy, journaling, reading, and physical movement like dancing. While these may take more time to yield results than a TV program or candy bar, tapping into these strategies helps you feel better and process what you’re going through, which allows you to release whatever is causing you strife. Because the way you react when your emotions overwhelm you has an impact on the way you feel during and after that experience, it’s all the more important to understand the different coping tools at your disposal. As you learn to incorporate coping strategies into your life and call on them when you’re dealing with hard emotions, give yourself grace. You can still turn to healthy coping mechanisms when you need them. The key is to also incorporate some of these strategies to help you better process whatever comes your way.

What do you do when you feel anxious, sad, or stressed? Do you reach for your phone to scroll through Instagram? Do you turn to a Snickers bar for comfort? Maybe an episode of “Parks and Recreation” is your go-to form of relief. If you use any of these methods, you’re not alone. When humans face difficult situations, they often turn to coping mechanisms to numb emotions and help themselves feel better in the moment. Emotional development expert Alyssa Blask Campbell identifies many common coping mechanisms, including engaging in screen time, making to-do lists, seeking information, indulging in alcohol or cigarettes, and asserting control where possible. Coping mechanisms make you feel better in the moment, but they don’t always help process and deal with emotions in the long run.

4 • www.ProPTinc.com | Professional Physical Therapy