Physical Therapy Doctor - February 2020

Physical Therapy Doctor - February 2020

theptdoctor.com

718.747.2019

Hours of Operation: M, F 8 a.m.–4 p.m. T, Th, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. W 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

February 2020

ON THE MOVE

E

Pictures of the People We Love!

There are those who see February as a time to celebrate romantic love, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But I can’t help but feel the month of Valentine’s Day should be about more than one type of bond. After all, I love my wife and kids, but I also love my team here at the clinic, our patients, and the little community we’ve built together. Just look at these photos. I have so many great memories from the last year thanks to the people who come into our doors. From dressing up in wacky Halloween costumes to forming a very competitive Relay For Life team, our staff has always gone above and beyond their job description. They aren’t afraid to have fun, laugh, and make a difference for those in need — which is what makes them the perfect fit for this clinic.

It’s one thing to have a staff who finds joy at the office, and another to have patients who find it right along with them. We love that so many of the people we help get in on the fun, whether it’s by taking pictures with us in our Halloween costumes, helping us support cancer research by donating to Relay For Life, or joining us for our annual holiday bash! We wouldn’t be able to celebrate these traditions that mean so much to us without your love and support. So, thank you for being part of our community and making The Physical Therapy Doctor such a joyous place to be.

With love,

–Dr. Robert Morea 718.747.2019 ▪ THEPTDOCTOR.COM ▪ 1

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CAN YOU F E E L T H E L OV E ?

THE SECRET TO LIVING A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE

The human brain is an incredibly powerful organ. It solves complex problems, recalls forgotten memories, and triggers a dizzying array of emotions. But its most incredible power is the effect it can have on the rest of the body. When it comes to love, well, our brains certainly love it, and our bodies reflect that. LESS STRESS

Medical Center healed nearly twice as fast on people who experienced consistent warmth and care than those who experienced hostility. In fact, the latter group needed almost a full additional day to achieve the same amount of healing as the first group. LONGER, HAPPIER LIVES Being surrounded by love may even save your life. A statistic from the National Health Interview Survey states that single people face a 58% higher risk of mortality. Further bolstering that claim is the Harvard Health Blog, which claims happily married participants experience better health as they age when compared to peers in unhappy partnerships. In fact, the blog asserts, “People in stressful, unhappy marriages may be worse off than a single person who is surrounded by supportive and caring friends, family,

Human beings thrive on a sense of connection and belonging, and studies have shown that love actually has positive effects on a person’s physical health as well as mental. The security and commitment felt in a loving relationship are shown to reduce stress by stunting the production of cortisol, the body’s stress- inducing hormone. Less stress means lower blood pressure, a healthier heart, and a lower risk of stroke, especially in men. HEALTHIER IMMUNE SYSTEMS

and loved ones.”

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that calm, happy people can fight common colds and the flu more easily than those who are anxious or depressed. The physical benefits of love even go as far as healing wounds quicker. Small injuries inflicted on a wide test group at Ohio State University

So, it seems the results are in: Loving someone is a healthy lifestyle choice. Even having a strong network of friends and family boosts your odds of living a long life by 50%. So, get out there and make the healthy choice for yourself and those around you by leading a life full of love.

ME E T MI CHAE L BANOME !

Dr. Michael “Mike” Banome has been with our clinic for over three years, bringing a half-decade of physical therapy experience to the table. A sports lover with a passion for rehabilitation, he’s proven to be a perfect fit for our team and a favorite amongst our patients. Given his caring nature and medical expertise, it may surprise you that, for most of his life, Mike didn’t expect to become a therapist.

“I played in a neighborhood football league in college,” he tells us, explaining how he broke his clavicle during a game. “This was shortly after my dad’s surgery, so I once again got to see the good physical therapy could do.” Inspired by these life events, Mike changed course, setting out to help others in the way he and his father had been cared for. Still, that’s not to say he left his passion for science behind. “Most people become therapists to get away from math,” Mike laughs, “but I like physical therapy’s overlap with physics. It helps me understand why exercises work.” This passion for education, combined with his love of service is what makes this would-be engineer such a great doctor. “Seeing patients over the years, you get to hear so many of their stories,” Mike reflects. “You get to know about their families and their history.” Most of all, he enjoys being part of his patients’ success stories, seeing them succeed at their goals. Thanks for sharing your own story with us, Mike!

“In undergrad, I was studying engineering,” Mike recalls adding, “I’ve always liked math.” However, as schooling went on, he began to find he wasn’t as interested in the removed problem solving of being an engineer, and began to see ways he could help people more directly. “My dad had hip replacement surgery,” Mike says. “That’s when I got to see physical therapy up close.” Witnessing the role therapy played in his father’s recovery, Mike became more interested in the profession. Working to improve people’s health certainly seemed more rewarding than working to improve structures or machines. Then, Mike had an even more personal experience.

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FEBRUARY RIDDLES

TWO SISTERS Two sisters we are, one is dark and one is fair, In twin towers dwelling we’re quite the pair, One from land and one from sea, Tell us truly, who are we? GREEN HOUSE There was a green house. Inside the green house there was a white house. Inside the white house there was a red house. Inside the red house there were lots of babies. What is it? Solutions are available in the clinic, so make sure to drop by to check your answers!

An aching shoulder during the winter can be especially miserable. Tasks like shoveling the sidewalk become impossible, and life becomes that much more sedentary. But make no mistake, there is hope. With the right knowledge and a proactive attitude, you can relieve your shoulder pain just in time for the spring thaw. KNOW WHERE IT HURTS Most shoulder pain stems from issues with the rotator cuff, the four muscles that connect your shoulder blade and arm bone (humerus). Over time, your rotator cuff tendons can get pinched passing under the collar bone (less humorous). The result can lead to bone spurs and torn tendons that cause you aches and pains. DON’T SLEEP ON IT Getting a good night’s rest can be particularly challenging with a sore shoulder, especially if you’re used to sleeping on the side that’s hurting. However, if you think sleeping on your front will remove the risk of pain, you’re sorely mistaken. Lying on your belly for extended periods of time will push your shoulders out of alignment, exacerbating the problem. Ideally, you want to sleep on the opposite shoulder with a good pillow to support your head. WORK IT OUT The best way to get your shoulder moving again is to practice some safe, at-home exercises to strengthen your rotator cuff. One of the best ways to do this is performing external rotations with an exercise band. Here’s how it’s done: • With a rolled towel placed under your arm, hold your elbow at 90 degrees • Hold the band at a 30-degree angle below the parallel created by your bent elbow • Turn your arm outward, pulling the band • Repeat 30 times Want more exercises? We’ve compiled a list of our top exercises for shoulder pain in an easy to reference brochure — you can even keep it where you do your exercises to ensure you’re remembering every step. Give us a call at 718-747-2019 and we’ll send you a copy free of charge! Be sure to let us know if you need an exercise band! Save Yourself a Trip to the Clinic With These Home Tips RELIEVE SHOULDER PAIN FROM HOME

Recipe of the Month:

Inspired by Pretty Fluffy

VALENTINE’S DAY DOG TREATS: CRANBERRY HEARTS

To paraphrase an old saying, the way to a dog’s heart is through their stomach! This Valentine’s Day, treat your dog to some pet-friendly goodies they’re sure to love!

INGREDIENTS

• • •

2 large eggs

• •

1/2 cup dried cranberries 3–4 tbsp coconut flour

1 1/2 cups almond flour

1 tbsp coconut oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 325 F. 2. In a small bowl, beat eggs and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine almond flour, coconut oil, and cranberries. Pour in eggs and mix together with your hands until wet dough forms. 3. Mix in 1 tbsp of coconut flour at a time until dough easily forms into a ball. 4. Roll out dough on floured surface and cut with bite-size, heart-shaped cookie cutters. Transfer to cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. 5. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until treats are crisp. 6. Remove from oven and let treats cool completely before serving.

718.747.2019 ▪ THEPTDOCTOR.COM ▪ 3

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718.747.2019

212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360

Hours of Operation: M, F 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | T, Th 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | W 9 a.m.–3 p.m. theptdoctor.com

INSIDE

Pictures Worth 1,000 Words

The Effects of Love on Your Physical Health

Meet Michael Banome!

Valentine’s Day Treats Your Dog Will Love!

Treat Your Shoulder Pain From Home!

Give the Gift of Life

Give the Gift of Life Feb. 14 Is National Donor Day With all the cards, chocolates, and expensive dinners, it’s easy to get cynical about Valentine’s Day. However, National Donor Day also falls on Feb. 14, and it can refocus our attention back on the real meaning of the day: love. In the U.S., 20 people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant. Losing loved ones is one of the most painful aspects of the human experience, and while it is unavoidable, organ donation offers a pathway to help prevent that loss and keep more love in the world. In the spirit of that love, here are a few ways you can get involved with National Donor Day this Feb. 14. REGISTER AS AN ORGAN DONOR. Signing yourself up is easy and can be done either online or in person at your local Department of Motor Vehicles. You’ll need official identification to register. Registration is not permanent and you will always have the option to change your mind. Once registered, you will not need to carry your donor card with you because your status exists in the registry. JOIN A DONOR DASH. Donor Dash fundraising events pop up all over the country on National Donor Day. These noncompetitive 5K

running and walking events are designed to bring donors and recipients together and keep hope alive for those who are currently waiting for a donation. To learn more, or to register for an event, check out DonorAlliance.org. PARTICIPATE IN #STARTTHECONVERSATION. Donor Alliance, a nonprofit that works to promote organ donation, began the #StartTheConversation campaign as a way to help spread awareness about organ and tissue donation. Starting the conversation can be as simple as sharing that you registered with your friends and family or as personal as sharing a story about how organ donation has touched your life or the lives of your loved ones. Don’t let another Valentine’s Day come and go in a tide of cellophane, candy hearts, and cheesy cards. This year, get involved in National Donor Day. After all, what better way is there to express the value of love than giving the gift of life?

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