PT Services of Tennessee October 2019

OCTOBER 2019

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EastTennessee Physical Therapy News

FROM THE DESK OF

DR. SMITH

An interesting thing occurred to me recently during a visit to my primary care provider.

The nurse for the PCP was taking information from me regarding my medical history, medications, etc. She asked the question, “What pharmacy do you use?” This is a typical question asked of all PCP patients to save time when ordering medications. It dawned on my: Why not ask the question “What physical therapist do you use?” You, as the patient, do have a choice of which physical therapist to use, just like you have a choice of which pharmacy to use. Why not do a little research on your PT provider and choose the one who best fits your needs and who is most highly trained with the most experience.

With the sun setting on summer, it’s easy to think your most active days are behind you and nothing but months of indoor workouts and dodging holiday treats lie ahead. You’ll be happy to know that you couldn’t be more wrong. In some parts of the country, the summer heat can actually be a workout inhibitor, encouraging folks to bask in the air conditioning or soak listlessly in the pool rather than get out on the baseball field or toss a frisbee. Thankfully, fall brings with it cooler weather and a plethora of outdoor traditions. Participating in activities like picking apples and pumpkins, taking long walks to look at leaves, dashing through corn mazes and haunted houses, and raking leaves should be enough to keep you hale and hearty through the season. Here’s a breakdown of a few fall favorites to help you stay fit. H ow to S tay F it T his F all I t ’ s E asier T han Y ou T hink

Congratulations are due to Dr. Justin Smith on recertification as a Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist, and congratulations to Dr. Jen McGrath and Dr. Dustin Barrett upon completion of a one year Fellowship in Orthopedic Physical Therapy through ETSU.

–Danny

APPLE PICKING

An apple a day keeps the doctor away — and that’s doubly true if you pick it yourself. Psychology Today reports that picking apples burns the same number of calories as walking at an easy pace, and the activity can boost your energy level and your mood. If you’re with friends or family, an hour of apple picking will go by much faster than a stint on the treadmill.

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VISITING THE PUMPKIN PATCH

explore the stalks, HuffPost.com claims you’ll burn more than 200 calories per hour.

As HuffPost.com puts it, “Pumpkin picking is the new kettlebells!” Jack-o’-lantern hunting includes both walking and hefting weighty fruit, which means you’ll burn about 270 calories per hour tromping through the pumpkin patch.

RAKING LEAVES

The fitness app MyFitnessPal calls raking leaves exercise, and who are we to argue with the experts? According to its calculator, a 150-pound person who rakes for an hour will burn 272 calories, and that doesn’t count the calories you’ll burn while stuffing the leaves into bags and hauling them to the curb. If you want to turn your activity up a notch to reach your fitness goals, look for Halloween or Thanksgiving fun runs planned in your area. These 5–10K dashes often pop up in the fall when the risk of heatstroke drops, and the themes guarantee a good time. If you’re lucky enough to have a run near you, grab a team, dress up, and sprint (or jog, or walk) your heart out. Who knows — fall might be your fittest season yet.

LEAF PEEPING

It’s no secret that a brisk walk in the fresh air does a body good. If you can bring a friend along and make a point to search out beautiful fall leaves as you stroll, all the better! Increase your pace a bit to get your heart pumping and amp up the health benefits.

CORN MAZES

Wending your way through a corn maze or haunted house often means a lot of time on your feet, and there’s a good chance something spooky will spur you to a sprint every once in a while. If you choose to

National Physical Therapy Month CELEBRATING THE THERAPISTS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING YOUR HEALTH October is National Physical Therapy Month, making it the perfect opportunity to celebrate the people dedicated to improving the health and well-being of others. Physical therapists are an important part of our society, and their efforts deserve recognition. Here are a few things you need to know about this month’s observance. WHEN DID NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH BEGIN? Originally started in June 1981, the annual celebration of physical therapy took place for one week instead of a whole month. In 1992, the holiday was extended, dubbed National Physical Therapy Month, and moved to October to prevent any conflict with the annual American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) conference held every June. Since then, this holiday has become an icon for APTA members, physical therapists, and many health providers throughout the U.S.

people to understand that they don’t have to rely on medication to go about their daily lives and that physical therapy can even help patients avoid surgery. In addition, National Physical Therapy Month offers a great opportunity to practice self-care to promote better physical and mental health. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CELEBRATE? The best way to celebrate National Physical Therapy Month is to appreciate your physical therapist, learn more about the benefits of physical therapy, and find new habits to become more active. Look into getting involved in a sport, yoga, tai chi, or any other activity that allows you to be physically active. If you know a physical therapist, take the time to talk to them about their profession and thank them for everything they do. Physical therapists dedicate their lives to ensure that people can return to living pain-free, and their commitment deserves mountains of praise.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The top priority for the APTA each year is to educate people on how physical therapy can help improve health. Physical therapists want

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OF YOUR GRANDCHILD’S EDUCATION Don’t Let Money Get in the Way

College expenses aren’t what they used to be. What used to be affordable to any student with a part-time summer job now can take years to pay off. If your grandkids want to go to college, the cost of education should not be a barrier to their future. Luckily there are ways that you can help ease that financial burden.

exceed $15,000, but payments toward someone’s tuition, for any amount, are not taxed. Keep in mind, however, that the money can only go toward tuition, not toward other college expenses like room and board or textbooks.

HELP THEM FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE.

INVEST IN A 529 SAVINGS PLAN.

Even if you don’t have thousands of dollars to give, you can still help your grandkids look for other opportunities to save. There are thousands of available

Take a Break! Not everybody has $20,000 just lying around, but if you do, using it to pay for your grandchild’s tuition isn’t a bad way to spend it. Normally, annual financial gifts that are exempt from the federal gift tax can’t There are no limits on age, income, or monetary contributions attached to this college savings account, and contributions are tax-deductible in some states. Just like a Roth IRA, the earnings grow over time and can be used tax-free for qualifying expenses, like tuition and room and board. There are a few downsides, however. Funds from a grandparent’s 529 savings plan are considered student income and could hurt your student’s eligibility for financial aid. If you choose to fund through a parent’s 529 savings plan, which doesn’t count as student income, you lose control over the funds you contribute. PAY THEIR TUITION.

scholarships, grants, and programs to help students pay for college, and helping them look online and in your community can go a long way.

College could be your grandchild’s first stop on the path to achieving their dreams. You can be a part

of that journey by making sure money doesn’t get in the way of that.

LEFTOVER CANDY SNACK MIX Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine

This recipe fromMomofuku Milk Bar chef and “Master Chef” judge Christina Tosi makes great use of those extra Halloween goodies. It’s a quick and easy way to both elevate and get rid of unwanted leftovers.

INGREDIENTS

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2 cups mini pretzels, coarsely broken

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6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

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1/4 cup light brown sugar

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12 oz mini candy bars, such as Snickers, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

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2 tbsp granulated sugar

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1/3 cup dry milk powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 275 F. 2. In a large mixing bowl, fold together pretzels, sugars, milk powder, and butter. 3. Spread mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes. 4. Let cool for at least 30 minutes and mix in candy bar pieces before serving.

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Inside This Issue From the Desk of Dr. Smith PAGE 1 Staying Fit This Fall Might Be Easier Than You Think PAGE 1 Thanking Physical Therapists PAGE 2 3 Strategies for Helping Grandkids Pay for College PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Leftover Candy Snack Mix PAGE 3 Educating Your Kids About Cancer PAGE 4

TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT CANCER A Difficult Discussion As pink-clad products line store shelves this October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, children are bound to be curious. Since they rationalize the world around them with what they already know, kids may ask silly questions like, “Is cancer contagious?”Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or you just feel it’s time to educate your children about the disease, answering questions can be difficult. These tips can help you prepare. ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH Telling a child that you or a loved one has cancer can be complicated. To start, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends giving yourself time after hearing the news of a cancer diagnosis to process this new reality. Two-parent households should tell their children together, while single parents are encouraged to ask an adult with a positive influence on the child’s life to join the conversation. Remember, your child will be experiencing the same emotions as you but in a kid’s body, where hormones and developmental changes are already wreaking havoc. Monitor their emotions and offer them space and opportunities to discuss their feelings with a professional.

while older kids may need more comprehensive answers to their questions. A 5-year-old is going to have different concerns than a 16-year-old, so your approach must be different. However, regardless of your child’s age, always tell the truth. FOCUS ON PREVENTION EDUCATION A loved one doesn’t have to be diagnosed with cancer for you to educate your family about the disease and its prevention. Studies have linked prevention efforts, including anti-smoking campaigns and healthy lifestyle programs, to actually preventing cancer. (In fact, half of all cancers can be prevented!) Teach your child about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and excessive sun exposure to foster healthy habits and lifestyles. Organizations that host walks, benefits, and other events for cancer prevention and research can be great sources of education for families, too.

When it comes to explaining the disease and its consequences, younger children may require fewer details and broader concepts,

The ACS has resources for families living with cancer or those wanting to learn more. Visit Cancer.org for more information.

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