CornerStone PT & Wellness Center - September 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019

CORNERSTONE Monthly

77 Brant Avenue, Suite 101, Clark, NJ 07066 • www.cornerstoneptnj.com • 732.499.4540

MY LATE-BLOOMING LOVE OF FOOTBALL FINDING THE GAME

Cornerstone PT Patients

The weather’s going to get colder pretty soon, and as an avid jogger, you’d think I’d be sad. But, while I may not be looking forward to those brisker and brisker morning runs, one part of fall always keeps my spirits up: football season. We’re lucky to have so many sports fans here at the clinic, among both staff and patients. So, many of you probably know I’m a Giants fan — in fact, if you’re an Eagles or Jets fan, chances are we’ve done some good-natured verbal sparring over the years. But what you may not know about me is I became a football fan relatively late in life. I didn’t pay much attention to the NFL or football in general until after I got married. My wife would sometimes put the game on while we were at home, and we really got into it. Then we got an amazing opportunity. One of our patients was a season ticket holder, but they and their spouse were getting up in age — shivering in the cold at MetLife Stadium was losing its appeal. So, they offered to sell me their tickets, and I jumped at the chance. I’d never really gone to live games before this, but now my family makes it to almost every home game. Of course, we only have two seats. My son may be an even bigger fan than I am, so he usually gets one of the spots. No matter what seating combination we try, we always have a good time. At some games, I just sat out in the parking lot while the kids enjoyed the game, and I’m perfectly happy doing that. Tailgating with my family and seeing their excitement is more than enough for me. Plus, I can always watch the game right by the car. Part of why I was such a late bloomer to the football fandom has to do with the sport itself. Back when I was a kid, it was very much a game of inches, with running plays being far more common than they are now. Today,

VIP Referral Patient of the Month!

so many positions on the team have to be versatile — especially the quarterback. Gone are the days of pocket passers. In today’s NFL, you have to throw, run, and sometimes even block to be effective. The broad spectrum of athletes the sport now attracts, including college baseball pitchers and former basketball players, shows the unique demands of this sport. Of course, as a physical therapist, I cringe when I see injuries happen. Strides have been made to make the game safer, with better padding and smarter tackling rules, but, when you have such a contact-heavy sport, you can’t protect yourself from everything. While we may not treat NFL players at our clinic, we do see a fair amount of football-related injuries this time of year. As the leaves begin to change color, Pee Wee football stars and weekend warriors alike start streaming into our office. A little later in this issue of the newsletter, we go into more detail on how you can keep this from happening, but, as the parent of two young athletes, I have one bit of advice I’d like to share now. If you and your child love playing a sport, then you should think about year-round conditioning. Your body adapts to how you train it, and suddenly returning to a physically taxing activity — after months of not using the muscles it requires — is a recipe for getting hurt. This can be tough for kids, especially when they want to shift between different sports and activities in the year. If they really want to dedicate themselves to something like football and stand a chance at remaining on the field, they need to train well before tryouts start. Do that, and they’ll be more than ready to kick off the season. –David DeLaFuente

ANTON DANCO

The best compliment we can receive is to have one of our patients refer a friend or family member to our practice. If you refer someone and we are able to take them as a patient, both you and the person who was referred

will be entered to win a $25 gift card! It’s just our way of saying

Thank You!

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“The initial evaluation I received at Cornerstone was very valuable as were the constant reassessments of my progress throughout my time here. I had a very positive experience at Cornerstone compared to other physical therapy places I have gone to. I would not hesitate to recommend Cornerstone Physical Therapy to all my friends and family.”

Is Your Child Being Bullied? What You Can Do to Help

–Alex C.

A new school year is a prime opportunity for kids to make new friends among their classmates. Unfortunately, kids also form connections during the school year that aren’t always positive, and many children become the targets of school bullies. If you suspect your child is being bullied, there are a few things you can do to help. KNOW THE SIGNS Kids usually don’t open up about being bullied right away. However, there are some common signs that your child is being harassed. Here are a few of them:

• If they’re refusing to go to school or ride the bus, they may be dreading their bully.

• If they’re rushing to the bathroom after school, it may indicate that they’re being bullied in the bathroom, which is a common tactic bullies use to avoid teachers.

• If their grades suddenly change, it may be the result of constant harassment.

• Anxious or depressed moods can be the result of bullying as well.

If you spot one or more of these signs, it’s time to talk to your child about what’s happening to them at school. LISTEN When your child does open up, the best thing you can do is listen. It can be tempting to try to give them advice or question the way they handled the situation, but doing this can give your child the impression that it’s their own fault they are being bullied. Let them tell you the whole story, without judgment, and then help them come up with ideas on what to do next. FINDING THE RIGHT SOLUTION Once you’ve been informed that your child is being bullied, you should inform teachers as soon as possible. Apart from that, there are several ways you can help your child to deal with bullies, so talk to them about what approach they would be most comfortable with, such as de-escalation strategies or a buddy system with their friends. As with most conflicts, the sooner you handle the situation, the better.

“When I came to Cornerstone, I was very scared and nervous about what results therapy would yield. I thought surgery was the only option. I came in on crutches, and I am leaving Cornerstone walking on my own. Thank you for all of your encouragement, kindness, and positivity during this very uncertain time.” –Alisa B.

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STAY IN THE GAME! Injury Prevention for Young Football Players As David mentions on this month’s cover, football season is here! While we at the clinic are all fans of tossing around the pigskin, we’re also no strangers to the kinds of injuries this full-contact sport can cause — especially to kids. If you have a child or teen on the football squad, here are some things to watch out for. MORE THAN GROWING PAINS

CONCUSSIONS The most notorious of football injuries, concussions, are still painfully common in football

As much as kids love to mimic the moves of their favorite NFL stars, these professional players have something young football players lack: fully grown bodies. Children and teens grow a lot from year to year, which makes their bodies more vulnerable, especially where contact sports are concerned. “Growth plates,” the parts of the body that are still developing, can be damaged by repetitive collisions, stunting growth. The best way to prevent this is by taking Dave’s advice and conditioning your athlete year- round. Properly warming up before every practice or game is also vital. GOING OVERBOARD As important as conditioning is, training can be overdone. Injuries from overuse are common for everyone: young footballers, weekend warriors, and NFL players alike. Because of the constant bending and squatting the sport requires, lower-back and knee pain frequently develop. This, paired with an intense training regimen, can lead to the pain sticking around since you aren’t giving it a chance to heal. Make sure that your young athlete knows that rest days aren’t just a break; they’re an important part of training

despite efforts to make the sport safer. It’s important to know the symptoms of a concussion because they can often go undetected, putting your child at risk of further injury. If your athlete complains about persistent headaches, nausea, drowsiness, or blurred vision, or if they appear to be having memory or attention problems, call a medical professional. Unfortunately, the only way to prevent concussions is to practice proper tackling techniques, never leading with the head. You will have to trust that the players on the other team will do the same. We always prefer prevention over treatment, but, if your child does get hurt, we’ll do all we can to get them back on the field.

BASIL BERRY SORBET Unlike standard ice cream recipes, this delicious sorbet doesn’t require fancy equipment or difficult prep. It’s also entirely dairy-free, making it the perfect vegan treat for the end of summer.

• 1 cup sugar • 1 cup fresh basil leaves INGREDIENTS

•

6 cups frozen mixed berries

•

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

1. In a saucepan over high heat, combine sugar with 1 cup of water, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves, creating a syrup-like consistency. 2. Remove syrup from heat, add basil, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Strain syrup into bowl and refrigerate until cold. 3. In a blender, combine syrup with frozen berries and lemon juice. Purée until smooth. 4. Transfer to a square baking pan, cover in plastic wrap, and freeze until set, about 2 hours. 5. Scoop and serve.

Inspired by Good Housekeeping

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77 Brant Avenue, Suite 101 Clark, NJ 07066 732.499.4540 www.cornerstoneptnj.com

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INSIDE This Issue

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The Team Dave’s Pulling For

Testimonials

How to Respond to School Bullies

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Protect Your Child From These Football Injuries

Basil Berry Sorbet

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An Excursion in the Pennine Alps

An Alpine Excursion

TOUR MONTE ROSA

Nestled between Italy and Switzerland, Monte Rosa is the second highest peak in the Alps, making it one of the best views in either country and one of the more physically demanding ascents in the mountain range. In the late summer and early fall, tourists and locals alike tour Monte Rosa to pay their respects to the peak and to be challenged by the cross-country trek over the mountain. The full tour of the mountain is a nine-day journey that starts in Switzerland and crosses quickly over into Italy, winding its way through both countries before eventually returning trekkers to their starting point. The out-and-back path is the most popular route, though there are other ways to approach it. However you go, you’ll encounter massive glaciers, rigorous 1,000-meter ascents and descents, and breathtaking views that are sure to make this journey memorable.

For accommodations, opt for charming mountain huts to immerse yourself in the true Alpine experience. You can book them in advance to guarantee your bunk and a dinner of spaetzle or lasagna, depending on which country you’re in that night. Unless you’re traveling with an experienced mountaineer, a guide is recommended for touring Monte Rosa, even if you only plan to traverse a small section of the mountain. Weather can vary greatly and change quickly in this region, so you never know when you’ll encounter ice or snow, which can lower your visibility. Toward the top of the peak, you’ll even have an opportunity to cross a sprawling glacier, and having a guide will ensure you have the necessary equipment for a safe trip. On top of the spectacular views, you can expect a beautiful blend of cultures and an experience unlike any other on your tour of Monte Rosa. Plus, you may even get to see a few Swiss cows or mountain goats along the way!

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