PT Of Tennessee - October 2018

OCTOBER 2018

www.ptstn.net (423) 543-0073

EastTennessee Physical Therapy News

There are a lot of exciting things going on in our offices. However, I would like to include this testimonial from a patient. This sums up what we do best: take care of our patients: “I cannot sing the praises of Justin Smith and everyone here enough! I live in Colorado, where I sustained a very traumatic injury in early June (broke all of the bones in my ankle — compound fracture to top it off ). After I was cleared to fly, I flew to Tennessee, staying for 1 1/2 months due to my husband’s job. At the same time, it was time to start physical therapy. I researched several places in and around where we were staying and chose PT Services of Tennessee for their credentials. From the moment I walked in the door, I felt welcomed and ‘part of a family’. From the front office personnel to every therapist and assistant, everyone is so friendly, encouraging, and helpful. The level of care that I received was top notch and outstanding! Words truly cannot express my gratitude.” FROM THE DESK OF Dr. Smith

Since the turn of the century, fitness culture in America has exploded. According to the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), the fitness industry in this country went from $11.6 billion in 2000 to $27.6 billion in 2017. Along the way, more than 50 million Americans became gym members. Given how popular gym culture and fitness have become, it’s no surprise that researchers and experts are devoting untold time and energy to exploring the science of working out. But it wasn’t always that way. Just a generation ago, many top athletes regarded lifting weights as detrimental. “The coaches and trainers were against it,” recalls bodybuilder Eddie Giuliani. “They said it slowed you down. It was no good. Doctors were all against weightlifting because they said it was bad for your heart. It gave you high blood pressure. Everybody was wrong.” When a new discipline or field of study arises, there are inevitably businesses willing to take advantage of an uninformed public. The fitness industry is no exception. It produced plenty of hilarious products that were sold under the guise of helping people get in shape. Here are a few of the strangest workout fads in history. W eird , W acky F itness F ads T hat P eople A ctually T ried

- Traci H.

HAWAII CHAIR

For decades, late-night TV has been the best place to find less-than-reputable health products. Even among the illustrious pantheon of Shake Weights and Leg Magic X’s, the Hawaii Chair stands out as one of the most absurd “fitness” devices ever devised. The product promised to engage your core while seated, using a “2,800 rpm hula motor,” whatever that means. “If you can sit, you can get fit,” said the Hawaii Chair’s slogan.

–Danny

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Really, it made you look like a gyrating fool while offering almost no health benefits. Ironically enough, studies have shown that the amount of time many Americans spend seated each week is a serious health risk. While standing and variable desks are gaining popularity, don’t expect the Hawaii Chair to make a comeback anytime soon. Rock-hard, six-pack abs have become a symbol of a well-sculpted body, so there have been plenty of nutso-crazy products and schemes designed to target that area of the body. From belts like the Slendertone to books like “Zero Belly Diet,” there are dozens of ab fads to choose from. The most iconic, though, has to be “8 Minute Abs.” Featuring a buff, spandex-wearing host named Jaime Brenkus, “8 Minute Abs” was a VHS-based program that promised to take you from flab to fab in just eight minutes per day. The craze was so popular that it 8 MINUTE ABS

inspired spinoffs like “8 Minute Buns.” Today, it’s fondly remembered for its uniquely ‘80s aesthetic and its wealth of unintentional comedy.

likely to find one of the balance boards at your local thrift store.

POWER BALANCE BRACELETS

WII FIT

One of the funniest subcategories of fitness products are those that claim to improve your performance through little more than magic. In the case of Power Balance bracelets, that magic was called “holographic technology.” Simply by wearing this bracelet, the company claimed, you would become more agile and lithe. Of course, independent studies put the lie to Power Balance’s claims in a hurry. However, the company is still in business today, albeit with a very different marketing strategy.

So much of the Nintendo Wii’s world- conquering success looks improbable in hindsight. It was a game system that was equally suitable for preschools and assisted living homes. It was built on the promise of motion controls, which only worked well for a couple of games. Oh, and it was also marketed as a home fitness machine. Debuting in 2008, “Wii Fit” and its sequels used an electronic balance board to provide guided exercise routines and rudimentary statistical feedback. At the time, it felt like a revolution. But just a few short years later, after Fitbit and other tech-centric fitness products emerged, it felt like a relic. While “Wii Fit” was more scientifically grounded than most fitness fads, today you’re most

PRANCERCISE

There are no words to describe this one. Just go look it up on YouTube. You won’t be disappointed.

Physical Therapy May Be the Solution You’ve Been Looking For Options Beyond Pain Medication

WHEN TO TALK TO A PHYSICAL THERAPIST

If you go to your doctor with pain, chances are they’ll prescribe you pain medication. While pain medication can help in certain situations, such as acute pain, cancer treatment, and end- of-life care, in others, it’s not always the only solution. Relying too heavily on medication for chronic pain can lead to bigger problems. To manage long-lasting pain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, highly recommends seeing a physical therapist. When you suffer from chronic pain and take pain medications to cope, you’re not solving the problem. The pills only mask the pain, but the issue remains. A physical therapist works to resolve the problems causing the pain and manage pain by strengthening the affected part of the body. Instead of relying on THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

prescription drugs, a physical therapist helps relieve pain through education, hands-on care, and movement.

Pain that lasts less than 90 days is considered acute; anything over that is chronic. When a condition becomes chronic, it’s recommended that you speak to a physical therapist about the pain you’re experiencing instead of continuing pain medication. The CDC guidelines note that non-opioid therapies are “preferred” for chronic pain and state, “Clinicians should consider opioid therapy only if expected benefits for both pain and function are anticipated to outweigh risks to the patient.” Suffering from pain doesn’t have to be part of your life, and there are other solutions than relying on medication.

MYTHS ABOUT PHYSICAL THERAPY

You may have heard that physical therapy is painful or that a center will only accept someone who has been injured, but that’s not true. Physical therapy works with a patient’s range of motion and limitations to heal and restore their body’s proper function. The PT’s goal is to relieve your pain, not create it. Patients include older people experiencing age-related wear and tear, athletes, and individuals hurt in accidents. Physical therapists specialize in restoring mobility and relieving pain as well as detecting and diagnosing problems before they become worse.

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Early Detection Saves Lives Do You or Someone You Love Need to Schedule a Mammogram?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Organized, in the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s words, to“honor those at every step of the breast cancer journey,”the annual observance has also served to educate the public and raise funds for research. Learnmore about this deadly but survivable disease, and find out how you can help. BREAST CANCER IS EXTREMELY COMMON. According to the NBCF, 1 in 8 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. It is the second leading cause of death in women (behind heart disease). A breast cancer diagnosis is

chance of being diagnosed with the disease. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may also place you at higher risk.

Contrary to popular myths, breast cancer is not caused by milk, microwave ovens, cellphones, caffeine, plastic cutlery, or deodorants.

ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS ARE FREE. Early detection is the biggest factor in breast cancer survival. There’s some debate among researchers and insurance companies over the“right”age to begin screening, but most sources agree that women should begin to get regular mammograms in their 40s (and earlier if they have a family history of the disease). The Affordable Care Act (ADA) requires all health insurance plans to cover the cost of annual mammograms for women age 40 and older, and there are many organizations devoted to providing free mammograms to uninsured individuals.

not a death sentence, however. Thanks to research and ongoing education, there are over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today. WHAT CAUSES BREAST CANCER? Breast cancer is caused by damage to cells’DNA. It’s most common in women over the age of 40, though approximately 2,500 men in the U.S. are diagnosed each year as well. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Most risk factors, such as age, gender, and family history, cannot be changed. However, research shows that exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, andminimizing alcohol consumptionmay reduce your

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Visit Donate.nationalbreastcancer.org to learn how to help. The NBCF funds cancer research, works to provide free mammograms to low-income women, and serves as a resource for patients and their families. Many cities also have local organizations in need of donations and volunteers.

Take a Break!

Homemade Marshmallows

INGREDIENTS •

3 packages unflavored gelatin

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1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

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1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

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1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

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1 cup light corn syrup

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Powdered sugar, to coat

DIRECTIONS 1. In a mixing bowl, combine

gelatinmixture. Switch speed to high and whip for 15 minutes, until very thick. Fold in vanilla after whipping. 5. Dust a nonmetal baking dish Smoothmixture, top withmore powdered sugar, and let stand uncovered overnight. 6. Cut into squares, decorate, and serve. with powdered sugar and spoonmixture into dish.

gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water. Let sit while youmake the syrup.

2. In a small saucepan over

mediumheat, combine sugar, syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water until the sugar dissolves. 3. Raise heat to high and bring syrup up to 240 F, using a candy thermometer to check for temperature. 4. With an electric whisk on low speed, slowly whisk syrup into

Inspired by foodnetwork.com

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Inside This Issue From the Desk of Dr. Smith PAGE 1 Fitness Fads From Days Gone PAGE 1 Physical Therapy vs. Pain Medication PAGE 2 October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Homemade Marshmallows PAGE 3 The Birthplace of Halloween PAGE 4

County Meath, Ireland, Where Halloween Began THE REAL HALLOWEENTOWN

Fans of Halloween don’t need to look far to find somewhere to celebrate their favorite holiday. There are festive parties all over the world, from New Orleans to London, but if you really want to embrace the spirit of Halloween, there’s no better destination than the birthplace of the holiday: County Meath, Ireland. Every year in Boyne Valley, the residents of County Meath throw a month-long Halloween celebration. The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival attracts thousands of guests from all over the world, and while this festival has only been celebrated since 2009, many of the traditions observed here date back to ancient times. The ancient Irish weren’t trick-or-treating or visiting haunted houses on Oct. 31, but they were celebrating the pagan holiday Samhain. Over 3,000 years ago, this Celtic festival was born in Meath and marked the end of the

harvest. Samhain was celebrated with bonfires, offerings to fairies, and other rituals meant to keep evil spirits away. Many of these customs carried through the centuries and inspired Halloween traditions that are still practiced today. Today, Meath celebrates Oct. 31 with a blend of spooky thrills and traditional Samhain practices. The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival starts with the lighting of the first torch fire of Samhain in Athboy, which kicks off a month of fun activities. If you like your Halloween extra spooky, the scream park, Farmaphobia, is waiting for you. And if you’re not a fan of screaming your head off, you can check out the Halloween-themed Spookling Afternoon Tea for fresh-baked treats and spirited conversation. The motto of this all-ages festival is“Fun by Day; Frights by Night,”meaning all the really scary ghosts wait until after sunset to come out.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween, from carving jack-o’-lanterns and eating chocolate to running for your life through a haunted corn maze. And in County Meath, you can celebrate Halloween in every possible way. For more info, visit www.Discoverboynevalley.ie/whats-on/ spirits-meath-halloween-festival-2018 .

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