Professional Physical Therapy - November 2021

Professional Physical Therapy - November 2021

PRO PT PRESS

November 2021

Offering Thanks Appreciating the True Heroes This Thanksgiving

Fall has provided us with cool and crisp weather, pumpkin spice everything, and some of the best times of the year. This month puts us right at the heart of fall and fosters two very important days: Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. A few months back, I visited Cape Cod, and while we were in Hyannis, Massachusetts, we visited the Korean War Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park. It was a beautiful tribute to the men and women who served, but one main thing struck my interest — a high number of soldiers who called Massachusetts home participated in the Korean War. My grandfather served in the Navy throughout World War II along with other cousins, nieces, and nephews who have served. I have a strong appreciation for the many women and men who sacrifice so much to fight for our freedom. In fact, I can’t fathom going to a different county to fight for our nation (so we can maintain our democracy) and then returning home months later to try and fit right back in with society — talk about a mind trick! The last few months speak pretty loudly when you look at what is happening in other countries, where people are trying to escape just to come to America. We still, in the thick of it all, have a torch held high for those looking for our homeland — we welcome them. This Veterans Day, it is paramount to pay tribute to America’s heroes: the men and women of the armed forces who make and have made countless sacrifices for our freedoms. Their dedication to (and their love for) our country is a gift we can never repay. At a time in our nation’s history when we are facing a great national struggle, we must come together as a united front to focus on patriotism and national pride as we give thanks. Thanksgiving focuses on all of the positive aspects of our lives where we can express our gratitude for all we are blessed with. Every month at the office, we do a monthly “Gift Back to Charities” in the name of a patient. For the recent fires that took place in Franklin, we provided a special donation for the families affected by the apartment complexes that burned down. Those people were eternally grateful for the help, and their thankfulness is humbling.

For almost two years now, we have been navigating the pandemic as best we can. I am grateful for my staff for continuing to fight the fight and treat our patients regularly to keep things progressing smoothly. First responders, grocery store employees, those working in the service industry, and everyone working overtime to make ends meet and keep businesses alive all deserve an award. They are putting in the effort to make the pandemic easier for others while striving to stay in business — an awe-inspiring task. A big thanks and appreciation goes out to all of these dedicated individuals who are working tirelessly on the front lines to keep our country moving in a positive direction.

From the Professional Physical Therapy family to yours, happy Thanksgiving!

–Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz

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PATIENT of the MONTH

Have a Low- Stress Holiday

Adamo ‘Adam’ Ferrara

3 TIPS FOR A MERRIER TIME

The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer. Recharge First Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on. Get Started Early Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety. Don’t Expect Perfection The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections. Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun.

“The charity K9s for Warriors combines two things that I am passionate about: rescuing dogs and helping our military veterans. K9s for Warriors provides highly trained service dogs to military veterans who are suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and many different types of trauma. With the majority of dogs coming from high kill rescue shelters, this program allows the K9 Warrior team to build an unbreakable bond that will help them with their healing and recovery.” -Adam Adamo originally started physical therapy six months ago. Despite the challenges he has faced, he has always been positive, compliant with his home exercise program, and dedicated to the physical therapy process. He recently underwent surgery and is making great progress! His motivation is to get back to 100% so he can return to doing the things he loves like playing fetch with his dog, Georgia. That makes him a model physical therapy patient! Keep it up Adamo! We at Professional Physical Therapy would be honored to donate to the charity of your choice if you become our next Patient of the Month!

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Get moving. No matter how old you are, it is important to always keep moving! Those who engage in frequent physical activity have an easier time achieving their weight loss goals, are less stressed, and have healthier hearts. Exercise keeps your joints, muscles, and bones healthy and is proven to lower your blood pressure. You don’t have to be a marathon runner to exercise for a longer life, either. Light moderate movement such as frequent walks or yoga can slow the aging process. Don’t stress. Anxiety, worry, and stress can all contribute to a shorter life. With such busy lifestyles and schedules, it is extremely difficult to not worry here and there about certain things. However, when life throws us curveballs, it is how you deal with them that matters when it comes to your health. When we stress, a hormone known as cortisol is released into our bloodstream. Having high levels of cortisol is linked to lowering the immune system and negatively impacting our heart health. When faced with a stressful situation, it is best to find a healthy coping mechanism such as deep breathing or meditation to help keep your stress levels down. Although your lifespan may seem to be out of your control, making healthy decisions and being conscious of your well-being can help you reach a ripe, old age. Afterall, health is both a state of mind and body!

Avoid smoking. We all know that smoking is not good for us. Smoking has many links to diseases and premature death. Cigarette smoke contains many harmful chemicals that can damage your lungs, mouth, and esophagus. In fact, most

cases of lung cancer result from smoking cigarettes. The best option is to never take up smoking, but (that being said) it is never too late to quit and get on the right track.

Eat a healthy diet. Healthy eating is at the core of longevity. Eating a diet low in fats and high in plants can reduce the risk of many health conditions. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, healthy fats, whole grains, omega-3 fatty acids, lean meats, and grains are all food choices that promote a good lifestyle. In addition to this, maintaining a healthy weight helps to avoid diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Control your alcohol intake. Heavy drinkers are scientifically more prone to heart, liver, and

pancreatic disease, which may compromise your life expectancy. Drinking alcohol in moderation, however, is proven to actually be beneficial in some cases. Although many have wondered, no strong evidence shows that light, controlled drinking is better than not drinking at all, so there is no need to pick up the bottle if you are not a drinker! Most alcoholic beverages hide a lot of unwanted calories anyway!

Are You Ready toManage Pain and ImproveMobility?

Baked Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing

Newsletter Offer Only — 5 Free Consultations

Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

Spicy, savory, and sweet, this unique stuffing will level up your Thanksgiving table.

INGREDIENTS

Physical therapy is beneficial in reducing the symptoms of many chronic conditions and diseases while helping to manage pain. It can help in recovering from an injury, improving mobility, and managing age-related medical issues. To get started on your path to recovery, come on in and chat with us about your options. In the midst of the pandemic, many of you are on the frontlines, risking your lives to save others and keep businesses afloat. Police, firefighters, EMTs, doctors, nurses, grocery and pharmacy employees, restaurant owners, janitors, truck drivers, and all professionals providing services to help navigate the struggles of COVID-19, we thank you! To show our appreciation, we are offering five Free Consultations! Call us today at 508-528-6100 to secure your free consultation!

• 1 lb Mexican chorizo • 1 white onion, chopped • 1 carrot, chopped • 1 celery rib, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, chopped • 2 cups premade cornbread, crumbled

• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped • 1/2 cup chicken stock • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, for greasing • Cilantro, for garnish • Cotija cheese, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F. 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chorizo for 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for 10 additional minutes. Stir in the cornbread and cilantro. 3. While stirring, slowly add the chicken stock. Stir until absorbed. 4. Butter a small casserole dish, then add the stuffing in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, garnish as desired, and serve!

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620 Old West Central St. Franklin, MA 02038 www.proptinc.com 508-528-6100

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Inside This Issue

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Thanksgiving Gratitude

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Patient of the Month: Adamo ‘Adam’ Ferrara

Lowering Holiday Stress

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Baked Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing

5 Habits Linked to Longer Life

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5 Habits Linked to Longer Life

HAVING A HEALTHY STATE OF MIND AND BODY

Life is precious, and preserving it should be front and center on your list of priorities. While we know that genetics play a role in our longevity, we should also pay close attention to our diets, lifestyles, and other daily choices.

We all want to live longer, but how?

A Johns Hopkins study of 6,200 men and women over eight years found that there are some habits and behaviors that can help reduce the chances of passing away by all causes. At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, another study of 12,000 people was conducted and found that healthy habits drastically impact life expectancies. Achieving a healthy lifestyle and making it work for you is easy! There are a few simple things, all within your control, that you can do today to increase your lifespan and set yourself up for a positive and happy life.

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