Physical Therapy Services of Tennessee January 2019

Physical Therapy Services of Tennessee January 2019

JANUARY 2019 EastTennessee Physical Therapy News

www.ptstn.net (423) 543-0073

FROM THE DESK OF

Well, the holidays are over, and now we buckle down to survive and enjoy the long winter months. Spring is just around the corner. We sincerely hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday season and had the opportunity to share with family members and loved ones. PTS had a group of carolers from the Elizabethton/Carter County Boys and Girls club come by the office to entertain our staff and the patients who were fortunate enough to hear them singing. The Boys and Girls Club does a fantastic job with the youngsters by providing them a place to go after school where they can enjoy fun, fellowship, hot food, homework help, and guidance as they grow and mature. Stop by the club for a tour or just to say hello at any time. This is without a doubt my favorite charity. Great futures do start here. Dr. Smith

Learning to drive is a rite of passage for teenagers, but it’s also a frightening time for parents. The child you’ve raised and loved since the moment they were born is about to get behind the wheel of a machine that contributes to 33 percent of all teenage deaths, according to DoSomething.org. You have every right to be terrified, and just like your parents did when you were growing up, you will have to let your child go. However, there are ways to help keep your teen — and the people around them — safe. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, distracted driving is the No. 1 cause of serious accidents among teens, and their age group is already more likely to ride without their seat belts fastened and to speed. Your child may be a responsible teenager, but don’t assume they will have the willpower to ignore their phone. Here are a few ways you can educate your child about safe driving and ignoring distractions. R oad W oes H elp Y our T een C reate S afe D riving H abits Have you ever caught yourself making a sandwich the same way your dad did or saying the exact same things to your children your mom used to say to you? That’s because we all inevitably pick up on our parents’ tendencies and traits, and your driving habits will likely be repeated by your kids. To lead by example, put your phone in your purse or center console. If you use your phone for GPS, install a phone stand in a safe location on your dashboard and turn your phone on airplane mode once you set your destination. Your phone’s GPS will work without cell service, and you won’t be distracted by pinging messages. MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO

–Danny

You can even include your children on your mission to avoid distractions. If you’re driving and hear your phone going off, ask them to respond to the messenger or caller

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conversation, the less your rule feels like the law, and the more it becomes a compromise.

for you. If you’re traveling, emphasize safe snacking at a rest stop or in a restaurant, and keep yourselves entertained with a variety of car games, podcasts, or audiobooks. Your kiddos will see your effort, and they’ll pick up your safe habits.

Some kids respond better to statistics about multitasking and distracted driving, so check out DMV.org, DoSomething.org, or TeenDriverSource.org. Additionally, local law enforcement agencies or hospitals may offer simulations and classes on distracted driving. These are activities your whole family could participate in.

TRACK THEM

Your child has a right to privacy, but they still need your parental guidance. There are a variety of apps you can install to make sure they’re keeping up their end of the driving bargain. Apps like LifeSaver, AT&T DriveMode, and TrueMotion Family all have a variety of features for parents, and they are compatible with iOS and Android devices. Some insurance companies also offer monitoring devices that can be installed in your teen’s car, if that’s more your speed. Regardless of what you choose, technology can give you an unassuming way to monitor your children while still giving them the freedom and privacy they yearn for and deserve. Before you hand over the keys, take a look at your teen’s habits — and your own. Communicating your expectations and setting up these safety nets will give you more peace of mind as they drive away.

“WE NEED TO TALK”

Your child may have heard about the dangers of distracted driving, but make sure you confide in them

Sgt. Fieldy Comes Home Reuniting Brothers in Arms There are around 2,500 military working dogs currently in service, and their efforts help save the lives of countless soldiers and civilians every day. One of these brave military dogs is Sgt. Fieldy, an 11-year-old black lab who was trained to locate the No. 1 threat in Afghanistan: IEDs. Sgt. Fieldy was deployed to Afghanistan with his handler, Cpl. Nicolas Caceres, in 2011. Early in their deployment, their vehicle struck a pressure plate while they were on patrol. Fieldy and Caceres were all right, but one of the other Marines in their company was badly injured in the explosion. The injured Marine could not be evacuated by helicopter until the landing zone was secured. Fieldy found another IED in the area and alerted Caceres. The bomb was quickly disarmed, and the injured soldier was taken to safety. This wasn’t the only IED Fieldy found. His sharp nose and dedication helped save thousands of lives. After his deployment, Caceres returned home, but Sgt. Fieldy served several more tours without him. While Fieldy continued to protect soldiers and civilians by tracking down IEDs, about your own worries and make your rules clear. Talk to them about the dangers of all varieties of distracted driving, like putting on makeup or eating behind the wheel. If they feel they have to get ready or eat in the car, discuss ways their schedule might need to be cleared up. They might also have ideas for cutting out distractions in the car, so get their opinion. The more you include them in the

Caceres worked tirelessly to make sure he could bring Fieldy home when his service was over. Military working dogs can be adopted by former handlers, law enforcement, or qualified civilians when they retire. After three years apart and a total of four tours served, Sgt. Fieldy was reunited with Caceres. In 2016, Fieldy received the K9 Medal of Courage Award, and in 2018, he won the American Humane Hero Dog Award for his service. “These dogs are out there with us,” said Caceres when he and Fieldy accepted the Hero Dog Award. “The dangers we face, they face them too. They deserve to be recognized. We ask so much of them, and all they want is to get petted or play with a toy. They’re amazing animals, and Fieldy is just an amazing dog. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for him.” If you are interested in supporting our nation’s working dogs or would like to adopt a retired working dog yourself, you can learn more at Missionk9rescue.org.

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Mom Really Does Know Best “Make a face like that, and it’ll stay that way forever.” You may have heard something like this from Mom’s book of wisdom. Maybe you never disputed the idea that mother knows best. But as you grew up, it slowly became clear that hair doesn’t grow back faster and thicker if you shave it, cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis, and gum doesn’t stay in your stomach for months after you swallow it. After a whirlwind of wives’ tales over the years, many common claims have been put under scrutiny. Wives tales have been known as pseudoscience and blind intuition, but even as many were disproved, some surprisingly proved to hold weight. Here are three wives’ tales that have proven to be true.

raw garlic lessens the likelihood of getting a cold, so if you feel a tickle in your throat, try a clove before you open the medicine cabinet. 3 Wives’ Tales Proven True

HEARTBURN MEANS A HAIRY BABY

It’s hard to list wives’ tales without bringing up one about pregnancy. Many are solely based n intuition, but a few that sound odd have proven to be true. In 2007, a study done by Johns Hopkins attempted to debunk the myth that heartburn during pregnancy would mean a hairy baby at birth. Instead of proving it wrong, they found that 82 percent of women with severe heartburn during pregnancy gave birth to hairy babies. Turns out the hormones that cause heartburn in pregnant women also affect fetal hair growth.

GARLIC CURES COLDS

JOINT PAIN PREDICTS THE WEATHER

For decades, moms have professed the healing properties of garlic, suggesting it can cure colds and help the body fight sickness. It turns out they were absolutely right. Garlic has antiviral properties that strengthen the immune system and nutrients

Did you ever look at your mom with skepticism when she would predict rain because her knees hurt? If so, you might owe your mom an apology, because there is a scientific connection. The drop in barometric pressure that’s common during storm weather causes pain in arthritic joints.

that help combat illnesses. The effects of garlic can actually be more effective than over-the-counter flu medications. Some studies show that regular consumption of

Take a Break!

Peanut Butter and Berry French Toast

INGREDIENTS •

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2 cups cornflakes

8 slices brioche, 1/2-inch thick

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2 tablespoons unsalted butter

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1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

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2 cups mixed berries

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2 large eggs

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Powdered sugar, to sprinkle

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1/8 cup heavy cream

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Maple syrup, for serving

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2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS 1. On a large baking sheet

4. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Once melted and up to temperature, add sandwiches, cooking on one side until golden and crisp, about 2–3 minutes. 5. Return sandwiches to baking sheet, add remaining butter, and repeat on other side. 6. Top sandwiches with berries, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve withmaple syrup.

lined with wax paper, place 4 slices of brioche and spread 1 tablespoon of peanut butter on each. Cover with remaining slices, creating sandwiches. 2. In a pie plate, beat eggs with cream and vanilla. In another, coarsely crush the cornflakes. 3. Lightly soak sandwiches in the eggmixture, then dredge in cornflakes, pressing to adhere. Return to baking sheet.

Inspired by Delish

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1975 West Elk Ave. Elizabethton, TN, 37643 (423) 543-0073

1500 West Elk Ave. Elizabethton, TN, 37643 (423) 547-4012

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Inside This Issue From the Desk of Dr. Smith PAGE 1 Talk to Your Teen About Distracted Driving PAGE 1 What Happens to Military Service Dogs? PAGE 2 3 Wives’ Tales That Are True PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Peanut Butter and Berry French Toast PAGE 3 The Origin of Pilates PAGE 4

The Origin of the Pilates System BALANCE BORN OUT OF HARDSHIP

KNOWLEDGE THROUGH ADVERSITY

Whenmost people think of Pilates, they think of the exercise trend that was the butt of a hundred ’90s sitcom jokes. In reality, this systemof stretches and workouts is a great option for people of all ages looking to stay active, tone their muscles, and improve their balance, all withminimal space and equipment requirements. One need only look at the history of Pilates to understand how this century- old discipline has helped shape exercise science today.

In this internment camp, the system that would eventually become Pilates was developed. Because of the constraints of captivity, Joseph had to devise exercises that didn’t rely heavily on equipment and could be performed in tight, confined spaces. To this day, Pilates remains one of the most flexible, scalable fitness methods around. The techniques first developed by Joseph Pilates are still practiced today, helping thousands of people develop their core postural muscles, gain better fitness, and improve their balance. As a result of his forward- looking techniques and steadfast spirit of personal development, Joseph Pilates remains an inspiring figure in the world of physical fitness.

LIGHT IN A DARKTIME

UNLIKELY BEGINNINGS

Joseph became a known quantity in the fitness world, going as far as training ScotlandYard officers in self-defense after moving to England in 1912. Then the FirstWorldWar broke out. Despite having worked closely with English law enforcement, Joseph’s nationality was enough to land him in an internment camp alongside fellowGerman citizens. As the world

The man for whom the Pilates system is named, Joseph Pilates, was no stranger to health challenges. Born in Germany in the late 19th century, Joseph suffered fromboth asthma and rickets, making any formof physical activity difficult. But rather than shy away from exercise, he enthusiastically followed his father into gymnastics, later picking up bodybuilding andmartial arts. Instead of being held back by his body, Joseph made it his life’s mission to help

was consumed by the bloodiest conflict it had ever seen, the young fitness instructor did what he did best: He helped those around himget stronger and healthier.

himself and others live healthy lives. Eventually, he would begin developing his own fitness theories.

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