Professional PT Inc - November 2020

Professional PT Inc - November 2020

NOVEMBER 2020

620 Old West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 • 508-528-6100 • www.ProPTinc.com

LESSONS FROM A BICYCLE The Value of Earning Something

So I worked my butt off getting as many babysitting gigs as I could, and I was able to save up more than half the expenses for that baby- blue Schwinn. I’ll never forget what it felt like to walk through the doors of that shop, money in hand. The smell is actually what fuels my nostalgia the most; brand-new rubber, cool metal, and just a little bit of bike grease come rushing back to me whenever I think about that purchase. It really goes to show that you never forget the details of things that are important to you. Buying that bicycle was so meaningful because it taught me the value of getting out what you’re willing to put in. Because I worked hard to make the money to purchase that bicycle, no one had to tell me twice to take good care of it. I cleaned, oiled, and otherwise maintained it after every ride. It was my pride and joy for a long time because I was so eager to take care of this thing that I’d earned. It was my well-deserved transportation and sense of freedom. If Allison is anything like me, I know her new car will be very well taken care of because she’ll feel the same eager responsibility for caring for this thing that has taught her to value her own hard work. That’s a big part of the reason I was so eager to help with the process by matching her funds. It’s the same when it comes to physical therapy. If you’re willing to put the time and effort in, then we’ll match it for you. We’ll put the same time and care into your recovery because we’re in this just as much as you are. And when it comes to our Black Friday deals on laser therapy treatments, we’re even matching the spending you put into those services for you. So put everything you can into everything you do and surround yourself with people who will encourage and support you along the way. You’ll reap so much more reward out of it in the end.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and the undeniable approach of Black Friday the day after, this is the time of year that we always like to offer our own month-long Black Friday deals on laser therapy. You can read more about that on the insert included with this month’s newsletter, but on the theme of Black Friday and making purchases, I’ve thought recently about the concept of spending money. I often groan over the consumerist mindset behind Black Friday, but I also can’t deny that there are some purchases we make that bring so much meaning to our lives. My youngest daughter, Allison, recently purchased her very first, brand-new car. She’s had cars in the past that I’ve bought for her as a necessity, but you can imagine how special this is since she’s put her own money into one. I agreed that I would help her with the purchase by matching the amount of money she was able to put in herself because that offer has some meaningful roots in my own life. When I was 13 years old, I bought a bicycle. It was the very first “big” purchase I ever made in my life, and part of what made it so special was that my own, hard-earned money went into it. My mother and father told me and my brother that if we wanted those fancy, 10-speed Schwinn cruisers we’d had our eyes on for ages, then they would match whatever amount of money we could earn to put toward buying them.

Professional Physical Therapy | 508-528-6100 • 1

PROFESSIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY IS CELEBRATING BLACK FRIDAY! But you don’t have to line up outside our doors or pitch a tent overnight to take advantage of this sale.

That’s because for the ENTIRE month of November, we’re offering

50% OFF ALL OUR DEEP TISSUE LASER THERAPY PACKAGES!

Deep tissue laser therapy has been scientifically proven to reduce pain and inflammation by using a process called photobiomodulation. Your body’s healing process is stimulated on a cellular level by enabling cells to more rapidly produce energy, leading to quicker recovery. Treatments are fast, safe, painless, and can show results after only a few sessions. If you want results that are fast, efficient, and consistent, deep tissue penetration could be a great option for you.

Make an appointment with us during November to receive 50% off all laser therapy packages!

Professional Physical Therapy 620 Old West Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 (508) 528-6100

Worried About Slipping and Falling ThisWinter?

A Trip to the Physical Therapist Might Help

a car crash victim in learning to walk again. These cases are inspiring, but they leave out half of the story about what PT can do. Not only can physical therapists help people recover from injuries, but they can also prevent them by guiding patients through exercises to improve their balance, strength, and flexibility. Physical therapists are movement experts with a keen insight into how the muscles in your body work together. Identifying your weak spots and strengthening them with targeted exercises can help give you the coordination and agility you need to stay on your feet in slippery or icy conditions. A licensed physical therapist can customize a workout specifically for you, but you can also start improving your balance today with simple at-home exercises. ChoosePT.com is a great resource and offers guides to easy workouts like marching in place, standing on one leg, and walking heel to toe. To learn more about which exercises will help you the most, reach out to a physical therapist for some advice.

When was the last time you slipped and fell on a patch of ice? If your immediate thought was “last winter,” then you’ve probably been dreading the arrival of this year’s snowy walkways and frozen parking lots. We don’t blame you! Slipping and falling can be dangerous, especially for older people. According to the National Council on Aging, emergency departments treat more than 2.8 million fall-related injuries every year, and falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries among older adults. Those are some pretty scary statistics, no matter your age. So, what can you do to protect yourself? Well, apart from wearing nonslip shoes and watching where you walk, one of the best ways to keep yourself safe from falls is by improving your balance, and a physical therapist can help.

Usually when physical therapy makes the news, it’s because a therapist helped a famous athlete recover from an injury or assisted

Patient

of the Month

CAROLYN HAGY FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM INC.

“Figure skating is an incredible sport that teaches work ethic, artistry, and dedication. I have been a figure skater since I was 12 years old, and I have loved every minute. However, figure skating is one of the most expensive sports and also lacks diversity. Figure Skating in Harlem is a program that helps young girls transform their lives by teaching confidence, leadership, and academic achievement by providing figure skating opportunities for girls of color. I chose this charity because I would love to see more diversity in this sport that I have come to love, and I know that this program is very meaningful for these girls.” –Carolyn

Carolyn had a major surgery that kept her from doing the activities she loved, including figure skating. Carolyn is getting close to the end of therapy, is back to figure skating, and has overcome a lot during her PT. She has always completed PT with a positive attitude and is a pleasure to work with. We wish her the best during her final year of high school and wherever she ends up in the future!

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Have a Healthy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to indulge in our favorite holiday foods, but if you don’t want to regret your eating decisions the next day, there are some great alternatives that will still satisfy your classic cravings. The Best and Worst of Classic Dishes

WORST: GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE BEST: BRUSSELS SPROUTS

After you get past the butter, cream, and fried onions in a green bean casserole, the green beans themselves don’t have a lot of nutritional value, either. Instead, choose a healthier veggie dish like Brussels sprouts, which are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and glucosinolates. Roast them with a little bit of bacon or cheese, and they’re still healthier for you than green bean casserole. There’s at least one classic Thanksgiving dessert that gets a check mark! Pumpkin pie has beneficial fiber and beta carotene, but just minimize sugar in your recipe. Use sweeteners like maple syrup and cinnamon. As decadent as that pecan pie looks, remember that an average one-eighth slice of a 9-inch pie has more than 500 calories! Thanksgiving can be delicious and nutritious if we’re willing to create new classics that can be enjoyed in more ways than one. WORST: PECAN PIE BEST: PUMPKIN PIE

WORST: BOXED STUFFING BEST:WHOLE-GRAIN STUFFING

Boxed stuffing is incredibly high in sodium and actually offers a lot less flavor than homemade stuffing. Use whole-wheat grains and bread as the base of your stuffing for a lot more fiber and other nutrients that can help with digestion. Cornbread or whole-grain cornmeal also make for a nutritious (and delicious) alternative to white-bread stuffing.

WORST: SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE BEST: ROASTED SWEET POTATOES

Traditional sweet potato casserole calls for so much sugar and butter that it’s better labeled a dessert than a side dish. But sweet potatoes on their own offer a lot of fiber, potassium, iron, magnesium, and vitamin C. They’re still a great addition to your Thanksgiving meal so long as you limit the butter and sweeteners you add to them. Try syrup, cinnamon, or nutmeg instead.

SUCCESS STORIES

“I am thrilled with the treatment I received during my 3 1/2 months of PT. Dr. Jill was my primary therapist and was wonderful. Every staff member was friendly and kind. I am amazed at how far I have come. When I started in June, I was unable to even dress myself, now I am totally back to my normal function! I would highly recommend this practice to anyone who needs PT. Thank you!”

Cinnamon-Spiced Candied Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp kosher salt •

• 4 lbs orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, peeled and cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces, then cut lengthwise into 1-inch wedges • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/4 tsp ground cloves

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed • 4 (2-inch) cinnamon sticks

–Paula Grace

“I came to Professional Physical Therapy after a lower back injury at work. I was really struggling with mobility, having two herniated discs. Amber, Sue, and the staff at Pro PT played an integral role in my recovery. Anyone who has been injured knows how difficult recovery can be both mentally and physically. The staff was very knowledgeable, patient, and supportive on my road to recovery. I appreciate them so much for all the help!” –Jamie Arroyo

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Place sweet potato wedges in a 4-quart baking dish. 3. Sprinkle sugar, salt, and cloves over sweet potatoes. 4. Dot with butter and place cinnamon sticks around sweet potatoes. 5. Bake, turning every 15 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender and the liquid is syrupy, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. 6. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. 7. Discard cinnamon sticks and serve.

Inspired by FoodAndWine.com

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www.ProPTinc.com 620 Old West Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 508-528-6100

Thank you for being part of the Professional Physical Therapy family!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE If You Put in the Work, You Reap the Reward How Physical Therapy Can Help You Avoid Winter Falls Patient of the Month How to Make a Healthier Thanksgiving Meal Cinnamon-Spiced Candied Sweet Potatoes Thanksgiving Foods That Make Your Teeth Happy

Among your favorite Thanksgiving treats are a few foods that not only taste good but are also healthy for your teeth. If you’ve volunteered to bring a side dish to a family Thanksgiving meal or are planning on cooking the whole meal yourself, make sure to include these foods. THE MAIN COURSE: TURKEY There are a lot of nutrients in the foods we eat that help make our teeth stronger, including protein. Luckily, the main course of a traditional Thanksgiving meal is full of it! Protein — when combined with vitamin D and calcium — helps keep our teeth strong, which reduces tooth loss and allows us to chew and talk properly. So enjoy your turkey and know that in addition to being delicious, it’s also improving your smile. THE SIDE DISH: CRANBERRIES Cranberry sauce is a key side dish for Thanksgiving, and it’s also exactly what your smile needs. Cranberries are full of nutrients your body needs to be healthy, including potassium, beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin C, just to name a few. However, that’s not all cranberries can do for your teeth. The tart berry’s juice HEALTHY HOLIDAY CHOICES Foods for Happy Teeth

actually has a tendency to reduce plaque in the mouth thanks to proanthocyanidins (a class of nutrients), which prevent bacteria from sticking together. By simply enjoying cranberries with your Thanksgiving meal, you’re fighting harmful bacteria that could damage your teeth. THE DESSERT: PUMPKIN PIE Unlike other Thanksgiving favorites like apple pie or pecan pie, pumpkin pie tends to have less sugar and far more nutrients, including vitamin A and calcium. Vitamin A is especially important, as it’s an essential part of strengthening the enamel on our teeth. When eaten in moderation, pumpkin pie can be both a sweet treat and an oral health booster. These are only three of the foods that can help your teeth this Thanksgiving. Before you roll up your sleeves and get started on your feast, check out a few more healthy recipes by visiting FoodNetwork. com or Delish.com.

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