Berman PT - April 2022

Berman PT - April 2022

APRIL 2022

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IT’S APRIL ALREADY Time for Some Major Changes

How the heck is it already April? Seriously! It's so hard to believe that Stella is turning 2 this month! It seems like just last month when we sat in the NICU, pleading with her to "eat" 5 milliliters of formula so we could be "released" home. Well, I guess not much has actually changed in that category … Jenni is still pleading with her to eat anything other than bacon on a regular basis. Occasionally, I'll remind Jenni that Stella won't starve, and she'll eat when she's ready, but that rarely ever ends well for me. Anyway, we are preparing for some serious changes around the Berman Inc. headquarters this month. With all the craziness going on in the world and noticing how fast things change with Stella, Jenni and I have decided to step away from the businesses and focus 100% of our attention on Stella and being a family. Don't worry though, as of April 1 we have officially signed over 100% of the equity of the Berman Inc. businesses to our amazing employees. I'm more than confident that they will continue to provide the world-class care you're used to. Jenni and I have thought a lot about this, and we both agree that "experience" over "things" will be our motto for the foreseeable future. We've already sold Jenni's car and are planning to tow my truck behind our "brand new" 2007 motor home. It's not huge (26 feet), so it should be nice and comfy for the three of us plus our two dogs. The plan is to travel the country and visit as many of the national parks as possible. We're trying to time it so that it's summer weather when we're hitting the northern parks and fall/winter when we're hitting the southern parks. And best yet, Jenni has every meal and workout planned to the T. The goal is to document this entire journey on our phones and pitch it to one of the major network stations, so if you know anybody at Netflix, put in a good word for us. Surprisingly enough, both Jenni’s and my parents think we are completely insane and that we are throwing our lives away. But obviously, we disagree — and that's all that really matters. I mean, think about it, what better way to expose Stella to the country? By the time she's 3, she'll have more life experience than 99.9% of kids her age, and that's what it's really all about. The most exciting part of this entire plan is our end goal. At the end of our tour around America, we are going to rank

our top three most favorite parks. Then we're letting Stella pick which one of those three is her favorite, and we'll move there! We'll find a campground as close as we possibly can to that park and call it home until we get tired of the scenery, then we'll pick up and move to the second on the list of the top three. We'll then repeat the process until we get to the third on our list. Now be honest, I know you're getting jealous by now! So, after reading this big news, please let us know which parks are your favorites, and we'll make sure to see those. Also, if you're anywhere near the parks we're visiting, we'd love to see you. Nothing like a familiar face in an unfamiliar place. And last but not least, you didn't think I'd end my last writing to you without giving you an amazing offer did you? I mean, it just wouldn't be a Berman newsletter without some type of amazing, you-can't-live-without, it-will-never- happen-again, limited-supply offer would it? Of course, it wouldn't, but I do have to leave you in a little suspense … I'm making you turn this page to find out what it is. So, you better hurry and look inside this newsletter because you might be running out of time. What if there's only one left

and it'll come down to you and Billy Bob calling at the same exact time — and only one of your calls will go through …

Stop reading already and turn the page!

–Dr. Jake Berman

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HEALING AS OLD AS DIRT HORTICULTURE THERAPY MIGHT HELP YOU TO RECOVER!

When you’re in pain, daily activities like walking to the mailbox or reaching for a plate from the cupboard can exacerbate inflamed joints and weak muscles. However, just simply being a human can intensify this pain, too. The reason is in your brain. For years, researchers have connected our mental well-being with our physical health. Study after study shows that those who suffer from mental illnesses also have intense bouts of pain. Physical therapy is a powerful treatment method designed to use your body’s strength and movement to stimulate physical healing. But to holistically recover from an injury or pain, you may have to also address your mental health. This spring, as April showers loom, consider a centuries-old practice that has shown time and time again to improve mental wellness. All it requires is a little dirt, patience, and the great outdoors. What is horticulture therapy? As the American Horticultural Therapy Association explains, horticulture therapy can improve cognitive and memory abilities, balance, language skills, and endurance, among

other benefits. It’s the practice of gardening to stimulate mindfulness. Dating back to

ancient Mesopotamia, the Persians were known for creating beautiful, calming gardens for this very purpose, and the first documented use of gardening for medical reasons is from the 1800s. Since then, connecting humans to plants is now a common treatment in many countries. What do I have to do? To effectively engage in horticulture therapy, you have to engage with nature. Plant a small garden in your yard and tend to it each day or week. Join a community garden, plant an indoor herb garden, or pluck weeds from your yard. If you’re not much of a gardener, try visiting local botanical gardens or hike a local trail and identify plant life each week. Or, ask your local nursery for suggestions about plants that are easy to care for. The goal is to physically and mentally connect with nature, which bonds you to a simpler form of life.

To learn more about horticulture therapy, connect with a local psychiatrist or counselor.

Everyone knows lasers can be awesome weapons in sci-fi, but not all lasers are deadly. In fact, they can help accelerate your healing process! But how? Let’s walk through laser therapy together — a highly safe, trusted treatment within physical therapy. The Science of Light It sounds like the murmur of a mad scientist to say that light energy from a laser can reduce your muscle’s pain and inflammation, accelerate healing in damaged tissues, relax your Heal Faster and Eliminate Pain With Lasers It’s Not Science Fiction — It’s Here

muscles, and even possibly stimulate nerve regeneration. However, science (or, in other words, decades of research) suggests that these effects actually occur. To put it simply, when a laser reaches a certain wavelength — specifically, within the infrared spectrum, which is greater than the red end of the visible light spectrum, but less than that of conventional microwaves — it can penetrate our skin, not unlike X-rays. With enough power, that wavelength can reach considerable depth for muscle therapy purposes. Lasers are excellent for physical therapy because they stimulate the building blocks of collagen, which is crucial for healing damaged tissues. Lasers can also decrease nerve sensitivity by decreasing bradykinin, a peptide that promotes inflammation. This is through normalizing ion channels, which act as cellular gatekeepers, and releasing endorphins,

the body’s natural pain reliever. Lasers can even have a pain-blocking effect on certain nerves in your body. Class 3 and 4 Lasers You’ll see two classes of lasers in physical therapy: Class 3 and 4. The main difference isn’t the wavelength, but the power used. This has a lot to do with the depth to which the laser needs to penetrate.

Class 3 operates at less than 500 milliwatts (mW) and is sometimes

referred to as a “cold laser” or LLLT for low-level laser therapy. These lasers don’t generate a lot of heat. Class 4 lasers operate at greater than 500 mW and do create a warming sensation on the skin, but they aren’t dangerous or harmful. The best laser is the one optimized to treat your particular injury or pain. Call your physical therapist with any questions — even just 1–2 treatments can make a significant difference.

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Protein Doesn’t Equal Bulk! ENHANCE LIFELONG WORKOUT GOALS AND FIGHT AGING High-protein diets and protein powders are a bodybuilder favorite — which is probably why everyone thinks eating extra protein will make them bulky. But that’s not true! Here are four reasons why everyone agrees that protein is crucial to any healthy routine.

No. 1: Protein reduces your appetite and hunger levels.

growth, but it can also help maintain your muscle mass while you are losing weight or even aging. Who knew protein could be a part of your beauty regimen? No. 3: Protein boosts metabolism. Your body uses calories to digest and utilize nutrients in food, and it’s a lot easier for your body to process protein compared to other nutrients. That’s why high protein intake has been shown to significantly “boost” people’s metabolisms and increase the number of calories they burn. No. 4: Women need protein most, especially as they get older. As women age, protein becomes important to balance hormones as well

as keep weight off. This could be due to the abundant amino acids found in protein and how important they are to hormone production. In a 2015 study, hormone experts found that a diet of 20–30 grams of protein per meal can lead to significant anabolic and metabolic benefits for adults. The best way to consume protein is through high-protein meals. Don’t rely solely on protein powders, which often lack the additional nutrients, both macro and micro, that benefit a high-protein diet. Thankfully, there are many options for having this type of diet, even if you’re vegan. We hope this information will help you stay healthy for many decades to come!

While fats, carbs, and protein will affect your body in different ways, studies show that protein is the most filling. You won’t reach for midnight snacks as often, if at all. Not only does it help you feel fuller for longer periods, but it also accomplishes this with less food. In one study, increasing protein intake from 15%–30% of calories helped overweight women eat around 441 fewer calories every day without intentionally restricting their diet. No. 2: Protein increases muscle mass — and maintains it. Protein is in every cell in our bodies. For your muscles, protein not only helps promote muscle strengthening and

HEALTHIER, LIGHTER DEVILED EGGS

TAKE A BREAK!

Inspired by LiveEatLearn.com

INGREDIENTS

• 6 large eggs • 3 tbsp Greek yogurt • 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tsp lemon juice • Optional: Hot sauce, to taste • Optional: Paprika and chives, chopped, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot, add eggs and cover with water. Put on high heat, and then boil eggs for 10 minutes. 2. Once boiled, peel eggs by gently tapping and removing the shell. (Adding the eggs to an ice bath after boiling can make this task easier.) 3. Cut eggs lengthwise and place yolks into a medium mixing bowl. Set egg white halves open side up on a plate. 4. In a bowl, combine yolks, yogurt, mustard, lemon juice, and hot sauce (if desired) until smooth. 5. Transfer the yolk mixture into the egg white halves. Garnish with paprika and chives if desired.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

501 Goodlette Road North, C-100 Naples, FL 34102 239-431-0232 | www.bermanpt.com

Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1. Berman Plans for Changes 2. Your Garden Can Help You Heal! How Lasers Eliminate Your Pain 3. Why Protein Will Fight Aging — And More Healthier, Lighter Deviled Eggs 4. The Truth About ‘Exergaming’ INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Experts Love Fitness Video Games — You Might, Too ‘EXERGAMING’ CAN MAKE REAL EXERCISE FUN

To make your fitness goals more fun, you might consider implementing fitness video games, such as Ring Fit Adventure for Nintendo Switch, into your routine. But do they actually work at keeping you in shape, or are they a gimmick? Which is better? A treadmill or an active video game? Recently, researchers from Brazil and the UK put together a randomized trial comparing the physiological effects of jogging on a treadmill compared to playing a few rounds on an active video game. All participants had Type 1 diabetes, and exercise is crucial to managing the condition. What went into this study? All participants, no matter their activity, were tested for heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption efficiency, and endothelial function (a marker for blood fluidity). Health readings were collected

on three occasions, including immediately after the activity, 30 minutes after, and 24 hours after. The study went on for three weeks, with two workouts per week. The results? The health readings were not only very similar, but also the blood glucose levels among participants declined to safe levels after both activities — with the added bonus that individuals who played active video games enjoyed the exercise a lot more.

“Exergaming” is all about putting yourself in a workout you enjoy most, especially for those with diabetes, says

Dr. Jorge Brito-Gomes, a researcher at the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Brazil. He told Eat This, Not That: "Gamifying exercise not only takes your mind off the exertion, but working toward rewards in the game or even competing against friends helps motivate you to keep coming back to do more." Looking for an active video game to try? Check out Ring Fit Adventure for the Nintendo Switch or Just Dance 2021 for all gaming consoles, or if you have a virtual reality headset, try Beat Saber, which starts out at low intensity as a rhythm game but can quickly turn into a mid- to high-intensity experience with increased difficulty!

Are games a replacement for gym exercise?

Not necessarily — it depends on your workout intensity and fitness goals. If you tend to go for mid- to high-intensity workouts, you need to find an active video game that allows you to achieve that level. When it comes to exercise, the human body doesn’t discriminate. Carrying heavy groceries burns calories just like weights do at the gym!

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CELEBRATE APRIL WITH BERMAN INC. EXTRA SPECIAL OFFER

APRIL FOOLS’!

We are not quitting our day jobs and traveling the country in a motor home (although that plan does sound fun). I hope you at least got a little laugh out of that! Anyway, we have a few things to celebrate this month including the Masters and Easter. So to celebrate the Masters, we will be giving away $500 in Berman Inc. credits to use toward whatever you like! All you have to do is accurately guess who will win the Masters before the first group tees off on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Simply go on either our Facebook or Instagram page and leave your guess as a comment on our post — and you’ll be entered into the competition! And to celebrate Easter, we are giving away another $500 in Berman Inc. credits to be used toward whatever you like. We’re also having a competition to see who can best

decorate an Easter egg! All you have to do is decorate your Easter egg and upload a picture to our Facebook page or tag @bermanphysicaltherapy in your Instagram post. We will share those decorated egg photos so you can vote - and whoever has the most votes wins! So don’t wait; you could potentially win up to $1,000 in Berman Inc. credits this month! Visit our Facebook page at: www.Facebook. com/PhysicalTherapyNaples . Or our Instagram page: www.Instagram. com/BermanPhysicalTherapy .

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