Gilbert PT - December 2018

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www.GilbertPT.com December 2018

The Gilbert Gazette

MEET MATT COX, OUR NEW PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT How the End of the Year Makes You Think About the Beginning

equipment, and I am a physical therapist assistant. While I credit my dad and my siblings with helping to spark my interest in this field, my own experiences working with physical therapists definitely influenced my later career choices. You see, I suffered a lot of injuries when I was younger. Because I played football, baseball, and basketball, ran track in high school, and then played football at Bloomsburg University in college, I put my body through a lot of strain. Subsequently, injuries happened, and when they did, I worked with a therapist to get myself back out on the field as soon as possible. While my injuries were both painful and devastating at times, my physical therapist’s rehabilitation exercises and constant encouragement helped keep me positive, and I decided that when I went to college, I wanted to help others the way he helped me.

goals. I took those skills with me when I started physical therapy assistant school at Central Penn College. Now that I am at Gilbert Physical Therapy, I am so thankful that I made the choice to follow in the footsteps of the two doctors who inspired me all those years ago. I love that I have the opportunity to work and interact with patients every single day and that I get to be an instrument in their journey to recovery. I get to help them through their pain and their struggles, and then I get to celebrate their progress with them. While I have only been here for a few short months, the patients I have met and the team I get to work with have made my experience undeniably great. without the support of my amazing family. My wife, Erin, and our sons are the lights of my life. Getting to be active, explore the outdoors, and play baseball with them are my favorite pastimes. This month, in addition to preparing for Christmas Day, we are gearing up to go to my mom’s house for Christmas Eve. Since I was little, my mom — or Brenda, as she is known to everyone else in the community — has always kept up with the tradition of hosting a big Christmas Eve party and letting everyone open one present. As my family and I gather around the tree, I will sit back and reflect on how grateful I am to have the job and the life I have today. Of course, none of these professional accomplishments would have happened

Every year, my sons and I start preparing for Christmas Day on Dec. 1. We craft their wish lists for Santa Claus, bring out our Elf on the Shelf, and scout for deer (my sons think they’re reindeer) as we drive by rolling fields. Every time I start these Christmas traditions anew, I find myself thinking about beginnings — the beginning of the year, the beginning of my family, the beginning of my career. Since my start at Gilbert Physical Therapy four months ago, I’ve spent lots of time pondering the path I took to get here. I almost feel as though I was destined to work in the medical field. Growing up, my siblings and I got to see my dad work as a family physician here in Mechanicsburg, and the genuine help and care he provided for his patients was inspiring to all of us. Today, my older sister is a physical therapist, my two older brothers sell and distribute medical

I ALMOST FEEL AS THOUGH I WAS DESTINED TO WORK IN THE MEDICAL FIELD.

I started this venture by earning my undergraduate degree in exercise science. Shortly after my graduation, I got certified as a personal trainer and ran my own business out of the Red Cedar Fitness Center. As a personal trainer, I improved my own exercise skills, taught clients how to work through physical injuries, and helped them reach their fitness

–Matt Cox, PTA

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throughout the rest of the school year. 3 Ways to Use Leftover Candy During the Oh-So-Sweet Holiday Season

Sometimes we get a little too much of the sweet stuff. Between Halloween and New Year’s Day, candy is everywhere. It’s at home, at work, and on store shelves. Then, as the year comes to an end,

Bake with it. Whether you have an excess of candy corn or candy bars, you can bake with your sweet leftovers. The next time you make

many people start thinking about eating right and losing weight. When those are your New Year’s resolutions, you have to do something about all the leftover candy so it’s not around come Jan. 1.

chocolate chip cookies, swap out the chocolate chips for candy corn. Or the next time you make brownies, chop up leftover candy bars and add them to the batter. From peanut butter cups to mint patties, there are so many different types of candies that can take traditional baked goods to the next level.

Here are a few ways to get rid of your leftover candy ASAP.

Donate it. While you may have an abundance of sweets, not everyone does. Consider donating wrapped and packaged candy to your local food bank or other nonprofits, including local homeless or women’s shelters. You can also look into donating candy to nearby schools. Many teachers will gladly take candy off your hands to reward students (or themselves) with treats

Store it. Although not great for you, candy is fine to eat in moderation. A

good way to moderate your holiday treat intake is to store your leftover sweets in the freezer. That way, you can pull a little

from your supply each month to make sure you aren’t overdoing it. That said, be sure to check the expiration dates on all candy you save.

Patient Testimonial Don’t Just Take Our Word for It

hearing that challenge, Dr. Jon went into high gear! He assembled my team made up of Beth, Rachel, and Pat, whose help and guidance ended up being irreplaceable.

“Each therapy session included walking on a treadmill for five minutes. At first, I wobbled. Several times, I moved forward only to take a step backward. But the Gilbert Physical Therapy team continued with an upbeat attitude, encouraged me, and cheered me on until I could walk at a decent speed for 3 1/2 miles on the treadmill. “In the end, I beat the challenge and made it to the game! Not only did I walk around the stadium, but I walked around the whole campus. Because of this progress, I was able to have an amazing time with my son and grandson! Since then, I have joined a gym. I walked 4 1/4 miles during my last visit, I do aerobics for 30 minutes each week in a class, and I have exercises to do at home to help me continue moving forward. I can’t express how thankful I am to Dr. Jon, Beth, Rachel, and Pat for using their expertise, their support, their tenacity, and compassion to give me solutions to my back problems.”

“The day that I first walked through the doors of Gilbert Physical Therapy, my back was hunched over, I was leaning slightly to one side, and I was experiencing excruciating pain. After my initial evaluation, Dr. Jon determined that I had sciatica and arthritis. With a positive attitude, he assured me things would get better. That day, I told Dr. Jon that my son had issued a challenge: He wanted me to get to a point where I could walk “long” distances without assistance. My son wanted to take me to a Virginia Tech football game to see my grandson, who works with HokieVision as part of the team. Upon

–NANCY A.

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Why Does My Body Hurt All the Time?

THE 2 MOST COMMON TYPES OF ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are often confused with osteoarthritis symptoms. Despite the fact that both are types of arthritis and cause joint pain, the two diseases have different diagnoses. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes swelling in the joint systems throughout the body. It usually affects patients 30–60 years of age, while osteoarthritis tends to affect older patients. Although these two kinds of arthritis present quite differently in patients, they do share many treatment methods. People with either of these conditions can benefit from physical therapy and rehabilitation. Arthritic patients may also benefit from exercise programs like low-impact aerobics, swimming, tai chi, and low-stress yoga, all of which help with strengthening, stretching, and posture. If you have any questions regarding proper exercises for your arthritis, or if you are currently experiencing joint pain, please contact our office to set up an appointment with one of our therapists today.

With these colder temperatures rolling in, our team here at Gilbert Physical Therapy wants to share some important information regarding a condition that is often triggered by chilly weather: arthritis. Arthritis is not a single ailment. In fact, more than 100 different conditions can affect the joints and their adjacent bones, muscles, and tissues. These conditions are classified into various major types of arthritis depending on whether a patient struggles with inflammation, infection, or bleeding. Each type of arthritis comes with its own unique presentation and can affect some age groups more than others. Because arthritis affects millions of people around the world, here’s some information about the two most prevalently diagnosed types. Osteoarthritis This is the most common form of arthritis and is also known as degenerative joint disease. It develops in a joint when the cartilage (the smooth tissue that lines and cushions the ends of the bones inside the joint) begins to break down. This breakdown stems from prolonged wear and tear as patients age, prior injury or trauma, or diseases that specifically target the cartilage in the body.

SUDOKU

BUTTERY ROASTED CHESTNUTS

Whether or not you have an open fire, you can easily roast some chestnuts using this simple, delicious recipe.

INGREDIENTS

•

2 pounds fresh chestnuts, unpeeled

•

2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste

• •

2–3 sprigs rosemary 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

•

Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg

•

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 450 F. 2. Place a large sheet of foil on a rimmed baking sheet.

3. On a large, flat workspace, place chestnuts flat side down. Using a sharp knife, carve an X on the rounded side of each chestnut. 4. In a large bowl of hot water, soak chestnuts for 1 minute. 5. Pat dry and transfer to a medium bowl. Add rosemary, butter, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Toss to coat and transfer to baking sheet. Arrange in a single layer. Gather the edges of the foil together, l eaving an opening at the top.

6. Roast until peels curl up, about 30–45 minutes. 7. Transfer to a platter and serve while hot or warm.

Inspired by Bon Appétit

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this issue INSIDE

1 2 3 4

Meet Matt Cox, Our New Physical Therapist Assistant

The Best Ways to Use Leftover Candy Patient Testimonial

Do You Suffer From Arthritis? Buttery Roasted Chestnuts

Holiday Decoration Tours

There’s nothing quite like the magical lights of the holiday season, and some destinations in the U.S. have perfected the craft of holiday decoration. If you’re looking to get away this December and still engage in seasonal festivities, add one of these places to your must- visit list. New York City’s Rockefeller Center New York City is an iconic location for Christmastime. The scene is like a Hallmark card: Ice-skating lovers whiz past miles of twinkling lights underneath an exceptionally tall and amply-decorated tree. The tree is specially selected by Rockefeller Center’s landscaping crews, who scout out trees years in advance. It remains lit from November to early January, so you have plenty of time to check it out. Ranch Christmas in Jackson, Wyoming Jackson, Wyoming, takes its frontier culture to the next level during the Christmas season. All year, the city proudly displays four elk antler arches, but around the holidays, they are lit up with white string lights and flanked by snow. The Christmas decorations and lights surrounding the archway make for a Western-themed holiday Get Away and Be Festive This Holiday Season Christmas Tours

pulled right out of a John Wayne classic. For holiday admirers looking for a unique spin, Jackson has you covered. Yearly Yuletide in Santa Claus, Indiana This one’s for the Christmas lover. If you can’t make it out to Santa Claus, Indiana, this holiday season, you can still celebrate Christmas in this tiny Midwestern town in January, June, or even October. Embracing its unique name, the town boasts a museum, holiday shopping center, and a Christmas theme park. In a moving tribute, the town’s residents also write responses to children’s letters to Kris Kringle himself. It’s impossible to avoid holiday cheer in this town. DisneyWorld’s Christmas Magic What better place to celebrate the most magical time of the year than in the most magical place on Earth? Walt Disney World’s halls are decked to the max with a parade, gingerbread homes, strings of lights, and festive parties. Plus, costs to visit Disney World can be cheaper during the Christmas season, so keep an eye out for a vacation steal.

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