Professional Physical Therapy - August 2021

PRO PT PRESS

August 2021

My Adventures in Paris 2 Dreamy Weeks Working and Playing in France

called the “Bureau of Bread.” Yes, that’s a thing in France! They have hundreds of rules and regulations regarding bread and other foods. My husband and I learned, for example, to walk right out of bakeries serving curved croissants, as those can be made without butter. The straight croissants are the real deal. Staying in Paris, I quickly got used to eating small portions of immaculately presented food. Every day, we spent two leisurely hours at lunch and three at dinner. I was amazed by the quality of everything they served, even if some of it (like the stuffed squid I ordered by accident) was a bit out there for my taste! I could definitely spend a lifetime eating prolonged lunches and dinners, sipping wine, and drinking espresso. In the second week of the trip, I met up with my executive leadership coaching group in the Loire Valley. This vacation actually came about because of that group. One member, Doni Belou, owns an amazing travel company called Girls Guide to Paris and Beyond, and she planned the trip for us. Not only did we get to spend time together visualizing our goals for our businesses, but we also took guided tours of cultural sights and learned about French history from a female perspective. It was cool to hear about the lesser- known impacts women have had on France’s government and development.

In last month’s newsletter, I told you about my plans to travel to France, and this month I have good news: We made it happen! I spent two amazing weeks in Paris and the Loire Valley staying in ancient chateaus, visiting historic sights, and eating my way through the best bakeries and cafes I could find. This was my first trip to France in 30 years, and a lot has changed. When I first visited, the French people were not exactly in love with the idea of American tourists. They didn’t do much to make our lives easier, and even those who spoke English wouldn’t use it! This time, though, my husband and I were welcomed with open arms. The people we met seemed so appreciative that we’d come to visit, and they either spoke English or found someone who could help us. I think the pandemic probably had a lot to do with this attitude switch. We were some of the first tourists to visit the country since March of 2020, and many stores were still closed. Every indoor area required masks, and we were happy to comply as less than 50% of the French population was vaccinated (compared to more than 63% here in Massachusetts!). Regardless of the reason, I truly enjoyed the warm welcome. I love to travel, and it felt good to get back out there after more than a year at home. This particular trip was for both work and play. I spent the first week with my husband in Paris, where we stayed in a hotel right next to what I

of wine and good times, and our stay at Hôtel de JoBo. The hotel was totally covered in roses and leopard print! When I walked into a room of wall-to-wall leopard print on our first night, I totally fell in love. To top it all off, we took a dinner cruise beneath the Eiffel Tower on Bastille Day and had front-row seats for an unbelievable fireworks show. “I could definitely spend a lifetime eating prolonged lunches and dinners, sipping wine, and drinking espresso.” If you’re planning to do some of your own traveling this fall, one of the most important things you can do is make sure you’re healthy and vaccinated. To help you out with the former, my team has put together a special offer for you. Open the newsletter to check it out!

Some of my favorite things included visits to chateaus built in the year 500 A.D., long nights

–Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz

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PATIENT of the MONTH

Stay Sharp as You Age

BY GOING BACK TO SCHOOL

Zach

While you may be happy for the years of wisdom you’ve gained since being in your 20s and 30s, you might be missing the mental sharpness you once had. Why not have the best of both worlds? Scientists have found that the human brain changes with age — neurons fire more slowly, for example, and short-term memory recall can be more challenging — but that we often underestimate our capacity to continue learning as we grow older. Negative stereotypes about aging can reinforce these beliefs. However, new research is showing that older adults who’ve committed to immersive study of a new subject show brain function akin to someone 30 years younger. This goes beyond the tired advice to do a crossword puzzle or work a sudoku puzzle every day. The participants in this research study were learning entirely new-to-them subjects, like how to speak a foreign language, use a new piece of technology, or make art.

“I chose the charity Feeding America because I hate the fact that there are so many hungry people who cannot afford to eat.” –Zach Feeding America is a nationwide nonprofit with more than 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs to help feed more than 40 million people. In Massachusetts alone, there are over 500,000 people facing hunger daily. The organization works to gather food that is high in nutrients — before it goes to waste — to stock their food banks to help support people in need. Zach came to ProPT with foot pain that bothered him during many activities. He worked hard at each visit and always brought joy and laughter into the clinic. We all were so lucky to help Zach feel better and feel more confident with stairs, walking, and standing; it allowed him to gain employment at a job in which he excels! His commitment to success, as well as his enjoyment of the process, earned him Patient of the Month for August. We at Professional Physical Therapy would be honored to donate to the charity of your choice if you become our next Patient of the Month!

Convinced of the benefits but not sure where to turn to learn? Try these two sources.

Most colleges are designed with the traditional, 20-something college student in mind, which may not appeal or be a great fit for adults in their 50s, 60s, and beyond. But many universities are starting to cater to an older crowd with lifelong learning programs. One example is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Washington (UW). UW’s program offers a full course schedule on subjects in the arts, sciences, and current events taught by qualified faculty and provided at an affordable rate. There are over 100 such programs at universities across the U.S. Have a longtime dream to write children’s books? UC San Diego Extension has a certificate program for that! If you’re looking to dive into a single subject or perhaps you’d like to continue working in retirement or shift gears later in your career, certificate programs are a great option. No previous education is required. Most certificate programs are open to all, typically run for less than a year, and easily accommodate part-time learners.

Celebrate your years of hard-earned wisdom but commit to keeping your brain young by going back to school this fall.

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2. Dance until you drop. Dancing is another great workout for your body and brain! Like tai chi, it involves learning complex new steps and rhythms that will push your mental limits. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has endorsed dancing as a way to boost your brain’s processing speed and enhance your memory! You can get these benefits by taking a dance class with a partner like ballroom dancing, joining a group class at your local YMCA or gym, or trying dance exercise videos at home. 3. Take the path less traveled. If you walk, bike, or jog regularly, you can turn that physical exercise into a brain workout by choosing a new route every day or week. Shaking up your routine will activate the new areas of your brain and challenge your memory. Plus, you’ll get to see new sights and get to know your neighborhood better! If you’re worried about getting home safely, try downloading an app like MapMyWalk (available for iPhones and Androids at MapMyWalk.com). MapMyWalk will show you new walking routes in your area and pinpoint where you are at any given time, making it easy to retrace your steps. It will also track your pace, distance walked, the elevation you climb, and the calories you burn so you know just how much of a physical workout you’re getting. There are similar apps out there for cycling, too — just give your app store a quick search. If you’re not sure which exercises are safe and doable for you at your current level of fitness, we can help! Come in to see our team at Professional Physical Therapy or call us at 508-528-6100 to schedule an appointment.

your brain! So, how can you get these benefits? Here are three Harvard- and Healthline-recommended ways to improve your physical and mental fitness.

1. Try tai chi (or any other new exercise). A study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society shows that tai chi does more than make you look like a kung-fu master! It can also potentially enhance your ability to plan, remember things, pay attention, and solve problems. Harvard Medical School speculates that could be because tai chi “involves slow, focused movements, [and] requires learning and memorizing new skills and movement patterns.” Studies have also shown that learning any new skill will help improve your memory, so if tai chi doesn’t float your boat, try yoga, Pilates, or gentle strength training.

Score a FREE Consult for a Limited Time!

Easy Foil-Grilled Sausage and Vegetables

Inspired by NutmegNanny.com

Dinner is ready in 30 minutes with this easy, seasonal August sausage and vegetable bake.

INGREDIENTS

We’ve made it through eight months of 2021 already — can you believe it?! To celebrate, our team is giving away eight FREE consult to new patients who call during the month of August. During your consult, we’ll identify the causes of your aches and pains and map out a customized treatment plan that will help you return to a stress- free, pain-free life. These slots will go fast, so don’t wait to claim yours (or tell a friend or family member)! Call our office today at 508-528-6100 to secure your complimentary consult before

• 4 sausage links of your choice • 1 lb green beans • 1 red bell pepper, diced • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced • 1 red onion, diced • 1 zucchini, diced • 1 yellow summer squash, diced • 3 tbsp olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, grated • 1 tbsp thyme • 1 tsp oregano • 1 tsp basil • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your grill to medium heat or your oven to 425 F. 2. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well. Divide into four equal portions. 3. Prepare four 16-inch pieces of foil and place a portion in the middle of each section. Wrap each foil piece tightly and avoid holes. 4. Grill each foil packet for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also bake each packet for 20 minutes at 425 F.

Tuesday, Aug. 31. We’ll see you soon!

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620 Old West Central St. Franklin, MA 02038 www.proptinc.com 508-528-6100

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Inside This Issue

1

Dr. Stacey’s Adventures in Paris

2

Patient of the Month: Zach

Going Back to School Later in Life

3

Easy Foil-Grilled Sausage and Vegetables

4

3 Exercises to Improve Your Memory

Improve Your Memory With Exercise!

3 WAYS TO WORK OUT YOUR BODY AND YOUR BRAIN

Back in June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a brand-new drug called Aduhelm to help treat patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s. If you have a loved one with memory problems or Alzheimer’s runs in your family, then you know how big of a deal this was! Aduhelm was the first such treatment to be approved since 2003. Here at Professional Physical Therapy, we’re celebrating right alongside our patients! That said, even folks without Alzheimer’s can struggle with their memories as they age, and people having routine memory issues don’t necessarily need to turn to medication for help. Have you found yourself walking into rooms and forgetting why you’re there, overlooking birthdays and anniversaries, or leaving your cellphone behind when you head out the door? Then shaking up your exercise routine could help! According to a Harvard Medical School instructor, Dr. Scott McGinnis, exercise can boost your memory and help you think more clearly. Exercising reduces insulin resistance and inflammation, decreases stress, and helps you sleep, all of which are good for your memory. Some studies even show exercise can increase the size of

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