Advanced Physical Therapy - Terryville - December 2019

Advanced Physical Therapy - Terryville - December 2019

DECEMBER 2019

311 MAIN STREET, TERRYVILLE CT 06786 860-506-4124 842 CLARK AVENUE, BRISTOL, CT 06010 860-540-4920

WWW.PHYSICALTHERAPYCT.COM

A LOOK BACK AT 2019 THANK YOU FOR A FANTASTIC YEAR!

Saying that 2019 has been a big year would be a major understatement. When we opened the doors to our brand-new Advanced Physical Therapy office in Bristol on Oct. 9, I got to check off one of the biggest items on my bucket list: having the chance to run two offices and offer my lifetime of PT experience to two communities. In a lot of ways, I feel like I’m standing at the pinnacle of my career, and I’m incredibly proud of my staff and family for helping make it happen. The process wasn’t always easy. We had to do some reshuffling of staff — you may have noticed that Jessica has joined our Terryville office as front desk coordinator, while Sarah left to take over that role in Bristol — and it took some time to find our footing. But once the game of musical chairs was over, I think we ended up placing everyone in the clinic environment that was best suited to their personality. Our end goal was always to reach more patients than ever

before, and we’ve definitely been able to make that happen!

Personally, 2019 has been a very busy year. I’ve been dividing my time between both offices and taking on new patients, but in my view, there's nothing better to be busy with than patient care. My wife, Melanie, has been incredibly supportive throughout the whole process — she even helped with some of our aquatic work when we first opened the Bristol office, using her own PT skills! Even though it was challenging upfront, in the long run, having me step into my new role managing both offices was a great thing for our family because Melanie was able to scale back her work hours and spend more time with our three kids. Speaking of the kids, I have to say that the only truly rough part of this year has been watching them grow up so fast. My oldest son, Jack, started intermediate school this year, and he seems like a little man already. He even asked us to stop walking him to

and from the bus stop! I’m equal parts proud of and heartbroken over his newfound independence (and I think I took it even harder than my wife). Bittersweet dad moments aside, looking back on the last 12 months, I’m amazed by everything my staff, my family, and I have been able to accomplish. We’ve helped a little boy get closer to becoming a man, opened a new office, put together an incredible team, and started helping more people than ever before. None of those things are small feats, but to do them all in just 12 months is truly something to be celebrated! Whether you’re a patient, employee, or simply a member of the local community, believe me when I say you’ve helped us along the way, and we couldn’t have done it without you. So from all of us here at Advanced Physical Therapy Terryville and Advanced Physical Therapy Bristol, thank you for your support! We wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Are You Struggling With Arthritis or Knee Pain? If you answered “yes,” join us at our Terryville office for a Knee Pain and Arthritis Workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 4! We’ll discuss the knee, pass on tips that will make your life easier, and answer your questions. To save your slot, call us today at 860-506-4124!

–Jarred Parker

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860-506-4124 • BRISTOL

TERRYVILLE

860-540-4920

HOLIDAY CUISINE AROUND THE GLOBE

WHAT DO OTHER COUNTRIES EAT TO CELEBRATE THE SEASON?

JAPAN: FRIED CHICKEN Thanks to a clever 1970s marketing campaign, the dish of choice for Christmas in Japan is fried chicken — specifically, KFC. Unlike in America, holiday orders in the country come with chocolate cake, roasted chicken with stuffing, and even bottles of Christmas wine emblazoned with Colonel Sanders’ face. SWEDEN: SAFFRON BUNS According to Delish, Swedish tradition “dictates that the eldest daughter dress in a white gown tied with a red sash and a crown of lit candles, then wake her parents with hot coffee and a tray of saffron buns.” Swedes also feast on a casserole called Jansson’s Temptation made with potatoes, onions, anchovies, and cream.

2 • WWW.PHYSICALTHERAPYCT.COM WARM UP INSIDE FIRST. If you’re planning on braving the snow and frigid temperatures, try to spend 10–15 minutes warming up before you walk out your front door. Cold weather naturally tightens muscles and joints, so stretching your limbs in a heated environment is a good way to ensure maximum comfort and minimum risk of injury when you’re running in the cold. Maybe you love the majesty of a winter’s morning, or maybe you just hate the treadmill. Whatever your reason is for wanting to run or jog outside in the dead of winter, remember to take the proper precautions before stepping out. Runners face challenges during the winter that they don’t face any other time of year. If you want to experience the winter safely, there are a few things to keep in mind. Celebrations of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa vary from country to country, but there is one thing that unites holiday parties around the world: food. While some American traditions overlap with those of other countries — Peru, for example, shares our love of hot chocolate; England and Canada raise glasses of eggnog; and Italy digs into a version of fruitcake called panettone — there are plenty of dishes beloved all over the world that never make it to the American table. Below, we’ve rounded up a few you might consider exploring this season. COSTA RICA: TAMALES Christmas in Costa Rica wouldn’t be complete without tamales, a savory treat made by stuffing corn dough, meat, garlic, onions, potatoes, and raisins into corn husks or banana leaves. The process of filling and

steaming the tamales can take days, and every family makes their own signature filling.

ETHIOPIA: YEBEG WOT Ethiopians start preparing their

WEAR SHOES WITH TRACTION. If your favorite running path is covered with snow and ice, you should consider finding a different route. But, if you can’t resist going down your beaten path, then you need to make sure your shoes are up to the challenge. If your running shoes have worn soles, then you’ll need to get a new pair with soles that will grip the ground better before stepping out on the ice. Regardless of how amazing your shoes are, remain vigilant about where you’re stepping. DRESS DOWN A LAYER. Yes, it is cold outside, but your body will naturally warm up as you run, just like it would with any other physical activity. Think of what you would normally wear to stay comfortable in the cold, and then wear one less layer when you’re running. Of course, you Christmas meals as early as October, when they buy the still-live lambs that will eventually go into their savory, spicy lamb stew on the holiday. As with many of the country’s dishes, yebeg wot is scooped up and eaten with injera (teff flatbread). ISRAEL: LATKES Latkes have been synonymous with Hanukkah for more than 900 years, and no Israeli Christmas would be complete without the little potato pancakes cooked symbolically in oil. Despite their long history, though, latkes now vie with sufganiyot — a kind of jelly-filled donut — for a place on the holiday table.

RUNNING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND TIPS FOR RUNNING AND JOGGING IN COLD WEATHER

should keep other weather elements in mind as well, such as wind, rain, and snow, when you’re picking out your running clothes. Finally, if a day is particularly cold, snowy, or windy, don’t force yourself outside for the sake of your health. Sometimes, a good bowl of soup and a roaring fire can be just as physically satisfying as a run outside.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL? SHARE YOUR WISDOM IN A MEMOIR

The urge to leave behind a legacy is an inherent human instinct. Whether you accomplish this by raising children, building a successful company, or starting a charitable organization, the desire to share your wisdom should not go unfulfilled. If none of these options work for your lifestyle, writing a memoir may be a good option. A memoir not only tells your story but also passes on the wisdom you’ve gained from your many experiences and offers a unique perspective to inspire future generations. Writing can be a therapeutic exercise at a time when your life may be changing due to retirement or your kids growing up and leaving the house. And because personal reflection is a natural occurrence with age, writing a memoir can be the perfect way to spend your time. As you gain enough distance from life events to grow useful perspectives, the stage is set for self-discovery and transformation.

Even more so, your life experiences can give valuable insights to readers of all ages and circumstances. That’s why biographies and memoirs are such popular genres — reading about real people helps others understand the world and how they can live in it. To get started, pick a theme. Ask yourself these questions, “What message do I want to leave with my readers? What do I want them to feel

or understand by reading my words?” From there, select anecdotes that support your theme. Make sure they’re clear and cohesive. Then, write like you would a fictional novel or story. Show, don’t tell, and keep readers invested by having a narrative arc, whether it flows chronologically or jumps back and forth in time. Remember, this is not a time to air dirty laundry; it’s a time to reflect, grow, and share your experiences with the world.

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER ‘STEAKS’ Inspired by Delish

TAKE A BREAK!

INGREDIENTS

• Kosher salt • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1 cup balsamic vinegar • 1/4 cup brown sugar • Parsley leaves, for garnish

• 1 large head cauliflower • 2 cups Roma tomatoes • 1 red onion, quartered • 1/2 lb green beans, ends trimmed

DIRECTIONS

3. Meanwhile, heat a small saucepan to medium-high, and whisk together vinegar and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, then turn down to low simmer, letting sauce reduce for 15 minutes. 4. Coat cauliflower in glaze and reserve extra for basting. 5. Roast for 1 hour, basting every 15 minutes. 6. Quarter cauliflower and serve with veggies.

1. Heat oven to 400 F. 2. Trim the leaves and stem from

cauliflower, but do not break down further. (It should sit like a dome.) In the center of a large baking dish, place the cauliflower and surround it with tomatoes, onion, and green beans, and season with salt and olive oil.

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860-506-4124 • BRISTOL

TERRYVILLE

860-540-4920

Terryville: 860-506-4124 Bristol: 860-540-4920 www.PhysicalTherapyCT.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

311 Main Street Terryville, CT 06786

1. COVER TITLE 1. A LOOK BACK AT 2019 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

2. HOLIDAY FOODS AROUND THE WORLD

TIPS FOR RUNNING AND JOGGING IN COLD WEATHER 3. TELL YOUR STORY AND SHARE YOUR WISDOM ROASTED CAULIFLOWER 'STEAKS’ 4. BOOST YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THIS SEASON

FEELING SAD? WAYS TO FIGHT SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that people experience every fall and winter. If you find yourself feeling blue as the days become shorter and darker, know there are things you can do to boost your mood until spring returns. GET SOME SUN Exposure to sunlight is also significantly beneficial for people suffering from SAD. Sunlight helps your body produce adequate amounts of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being

and happiness. Getting just a few minutes of sunlight a day through a walk or short jog can make all the difference. If you live in an area where the winters are bleak, cloudy, and dark, sunlight can be harder to come by. But technology has you covered: You can purchase “sun lamps,” which simulate sunlight without the damaging UV rays. Just set up a sun lamp in your workspace or living area and feel your mood lift. MAINTAIN YOUR ROUTINE Often, it can be difficult to stick with your daily routine during the cooler

INCREASE YOUR ACTIVITY Keeping your body active can increase your energy levels, help you sleep, reduce anxiety, and boost your self- esteem. Summit Medical Group states that a person who exercises for 30–60 minutes a day can manage or avoid SAD easier than a person who does not exercise regularly. When you participate in physical activity, your body releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which have a morphine-like effect on your brain. If exercising outdoors is not ideal, consider swimming, walking, or dancing instead.

months. It may be harder to wake up on time in the morning to work out, or it may be too cold outside to go on your daily run. Luckily, you can find small ways to mitigate this. For example, invest in a sunrise alarm clock, which gently wakes you up with a simulated sunrise, or shop for high- quality thermal workout gear. If you continue to suffer from SAD and feel there’s no end in sight, it’s important to seek help from professionals. They can determine the best treatment options available for you.

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