Somerset Family PT Oct/Nov/Dec 2017

NEWS Somerset Family 732-356-5363 [email protected] www.somersetfamilypt.com

Winter 2017

A Holiday Update HOW WE CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS

Each fall, Somerset Family Physical Therapy hosts Operation Shoebox, a fundraiser where we gather supplies for our soldiers serving overseas. Our patients get involved by donating supplies like lip balm, sunblock, bug spray, and nonperishable foods for our service men and women, and this year was especially fruitful. Thank you to everyone who gave to the cause; we are so thankful for your support. We also held our annual pumpkin decorating contest in October, which is always a smash hit with our team and our patients. Every year, I am blown away by the team’s creativity, and we had great pumpkins yet again! We also enjoyed including our patients by giving them a chance to vote on the winner. If you missed out, be sure to check our Facebook page and follow us so you can vote next year! October was a very busy month for Somerset Family Physical Therapy, and we finished strong by receiving an award from the Courier news for the best physical therapy clinic in Somerset County! This award was based solely on reader nominations and votes, and we want to thank every single person who voted for our team. We work hard at Somerset Family Physical Therapy to provide the best customer service and care around, and we are honored to be given this award. Soon you will be able to see our plaque, which we will proudly display in the clinic. Thank you again to our wonderful patients and my amazing team!

This Thanksgiving, Somerset Family Physical Therapy will be closed for the day, but we will be open Friday, Nov. 24. Each year, my family deep-fries a large turkey in my sister-in-law’s backyard. The kids get a big kick out of our tradition, and honestly, it is the most delicious way to prepare a Thanksgiving turkey. Thanksgiving is a great time to relax, throw a football around with the kids, and have an early dinner. This is one of my favorite holidays because the whole family is able to get together. I’m really looking forward to seeing all of our relatives and eating that turkey. As December rolls around, our office will switch our focus from Thanksgiving to our Toys for Tots drive for Christmas. Toys for Tots is one of the biggest events in our office during the year, and it seems like every single patient of ours participates. We will have a collection bin in the office like usual, and we hope to get enough toys to spoil every child in the program this Christmas. As always, we will be collecting toys for kids ages birth–15, and the last day to donate will be Dec. 9. We will be collecting gifts for boys and girls, so we are shooting for a variety! As a reminder, we will be closed on Christmas Day, but we will be open the day after.

We wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving, merry Christmas, and happy New Year!

See you soon!

–Kevin Kurtz

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Toys for Tots Drive Here at Somerset Family Physical Therapy, we are excited to host our third annual Toys for Tots drive! Every year, from Nov. 1 through Dec. 9, we set up our Christmas tree and collect brand-new toys for children in need. We then take the toys to a Toys for Tots warehouse, where they are sorted and handed out to families who otherwise would not have any gifts under their tree. To us, this is the true meaning of holiday spirit: Giving to others!

If you would like to participate, please do so by purchasing a new toy and dropping it off under our Christmas tree before Dec. 9. Please do not gift-wrap the toys, as the organization needs to be able to sort them. All questions can be directed to Megan by calling our office at 732-356-5363.

Patient Success Story

Hearing from patients means the world to us. Knowing that we were able to help in your recovery is a great feeling. Reviews like the following kind words from Michael let us know we are making a positive impact in people’s lives. “I was seen initially for a knee injury that was later found out to be a spine issue. The exercises and therapy provided by you made a world of difference in my recovery. I was lucky to find SFPT, and the help that you provided was very valuable to my recovery. I would recommend SFPT to everyone. Thank you!” –MICHAEL A.

Do you love Somerset Family Physical Therapy? Refer a friend to SFPT and receive an entry to win a $100 gift card when they become a new patient. REFER A FRIEND! Somerset Family Physical Therapy

We love hearing stories like Michael’s. If we’ve helped you or a loved one recover from an injury, please tell us about your experience. Feel free to share it on our Facebook page, Google reviews, or go to somersetfamilypt.com/ contact-us and send us a message!

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LOW BACK PAIN HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP?

condition, we can relieve your pain without expensive surgery or the side effects of medication. Not all back pain is the same, so your treatment will be tailored to your specific needs and condition. Treatments may include manual therapy to improve the mobility of joints and soft tissues; specific strengthening and flexibility exercises; education on how you can take better care of your back; training for proper lifting, bending, and sitting; assistance in creating a safe and effective physical activity program to improve your overall health; and the use of ice or heat treatments or electrical stimulation to help relieve pain. Your physical therapist can also teach you strategies to prevent low back pain recurrence. If you are suffering from low back pain, give Somerset Family Physical Therapy a call at 732-356-5363. We can relieve your pain and get you back on your feet in no time.

The symptoms of low back pain vary. Your pain might be dull, burning, or sharp, and you might feel the pain at a single point or over a broad area. Sometimes, back pain is accompanied by muscle spasms or stiffness, and the pain can reach into one or both legs.

spinal stenosis, fractures, herniated discs, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and tumors of the spine. During your evaluation, your physical therapist will take these conditions into account while obtaining your health history and symptoms. After the evaluation, your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan for your recovery. The aim of the plan is to relieve pain and help

There are three types of low back pain:

• ACUTE — pain lasting less than three months • RECURRENT — acute symptoms come back • CHRONIC — pain lasting longer than three months There are several conditions that may be related to low back pain, including degenerative disc disease, lumbar

you improve and restore mobility in your back. Often times, unless you’re suffering from a severe medical

Have a Laugh!

Lamb Chops Orange-Balsamic

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS • 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided • 2 teaspoons grated orange rind • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice • 8 (4-ounce) lamb rib chops, trimmed • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • Cooking spray • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1. Combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, rind, and juice in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add lamb to bag; turn to coat well. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Remove lamb from bag and add salt and pepper.

2. Heat a large grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add lamb and cook 2 minutes each side. 3. Place vinegar in a small skillet over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes or until vinegar is syrupy. Drizzle vinegar and remaining teaspoon oil over lamb. Recipe courtesy of CookingLight.com.

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14 Worlds Fair Drive, Suite M Somerset, NJ 08873 Phone: 732-356-5363 Fax: 732-356-5364 Email: [email protected] Somerset Family Physical Therapy

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A Holiday Update PAGE 1

Toys for Tots Drive Here at the Office Patient Success Story PAGE 2 Physical Therapy Can Relieve Low Back Pain Orange-Balsamic Lamb Chops PAGE 3 How to Make Fitness Resolutions You’ll Actually Keep PAGE 4

New Year, New You Setting clear benchmarks keeps you on track. “I will bench X amount by this summer” or “I will lose X pounds per month” are examples of specific goals. Why the X? Every person’s body is different, so you need to know your limitations and plan resolutions accordingly. Of course, it is important to push yourself to improve, but unrealistic goals will discourage you or even leave you injured. Instead, keep goals manageable. If it feels too easy, you can always scale up your routine as the year progresses. Finally, keep to your schedule. The only way a new diet or workout routine will last is if you can make it become habitual. Recruit friends and family to keep you to your new routine, set alarms, and find workout buddies. The sooner you get your resolution to feel like a normal part of your life, the easier it will be to stick to. The new year is an ideal time to set new goals for ourselves. Set clear, attainable goals you can stick to, and you’ll be in great shape for next year. Keeping Your Fitness Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions — they’re easy

to make and hard to keep. This is especially true for fitness resolutions. The top 10 most popular resolutions of 2017 included

weight loss, healthy eating, self-improvement, and working out more. Despite these good intentions, a study from the University of Scranton found as few as 8 percent of Americans met their fitness goals. Why are these resolutions so hard to stick to? How can you avoid the pitfalls? Take the time to word your resolution carefully. The more specific it is, the better. Goals like “get ripped” or “lose weight” lack any benchmarks, so you might subconsciously move the goalpost. It’s easy to beat yourself up halfway through the year because you don’t feel ripped enough. Conversely, you might only lose a handful of pounds and declare victory.

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