Synergy Therapeutic Group - January/February 2020

Synergy Therapeutic Group - January/February 2020

1110 N. CEDAR COURT CARBONDALE, IL 62901

PHONE: (618) 529-4360 FAX: (618) 529-4560

12 SOUTH DIVISION STREET DU QUOIN, IL 62832

PHONE: (618) 542-8950 FAX: (618) 542-8746

JAN/FEB 2020

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Wellness

THERAPEUTIC GROUP

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY

Remembering My Father and the Lessons His Life Taught Me A TUMULTUOUS END TO 2019

As many people were celebrating the holidays and preparing for the end of another decade this past November, my family and I were reeling from some news: On the same day I found out my daughter had been accepted and received full scholarships to multiple colleges she applied to, I also learned my father had died. It was a whirlwind of emotions on a day that should have been either exhilarating as a father or mournful as a son. I never imagined I’d experience these together. My father was 75 years old when he passed. He was a good man known by many people in my home city in India due to his work with the government. He had many friends, and about 600 people attended his funeral. And these weren’t just people who were paying respects; many of them loved him dearly. “EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED ... YOU CANNOT EXPECT YOUR HEALTH TO IMPROVE IF YOUR MINDSET IS STUCK OR YOUR SPIRIT IS DEPLETED.” I can still remember all the times I would leave India after a visit reminding him to take care of himself, as a son does. But years ago, I realized that my father’s journey is not my journey. I can’t control what other people do with the advice they are given, regardless if I know that it’s going to be the best course of action. I learned a long time ago that people are the only ones in control of their destiny, and if they are not up for receiving help, we cannot help them. As a therapist, it took me a long time to realize that I can only offer them the right thing and hope that it sticks. Yet I’m always going to try my hardest to do what’s best for my patients and my family. Everything is connected, and your body relies as much on your mind and spirit as these other components

rely on it. You cannot expect your health to improve if your mindset is stuck or your spirit is depleted. This is where addiction and poor habits slip into our consciousness. Addiction begins with false pretenses. When a person’s mind isn’t in a good place, they feel they have reached a good place by taking an addictive substance, so their mindset, spirit, and body are still being damaged. You have to focus on all these components to see any semblance of success. But as I’ve begun to mourn my father and get back into my routine, I can’t help but think of the lessons we learn when we face death in this way. I’m reminded of other friends and family members I’ve had to mourn. A very dear friend of mine died of a heart attack despite being very fit and healthy. He was in the Army and enjoyed a career as a surgeon, and yet, he was still the victim of something inevitable far too soon. I’ve learned that it’s not the career you have or the things you accumulate. Instead, it’s all about doing the right thing and how you choose to live your life that matters. And if you ask me, even though he was only given 75 years, my father lived a miraculous life.

And that’s all anyone can hope for.

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YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT 3 Beauty Benefits of a Healthy Diet

People can take a thousand different things into consideration when choosing their diet. Maybe they have allergies, need to control a health condition, or need to gain or lose weight — or maybe they just want clear skin, bright eyes, and healthy hair. That’s right: What you eat impacts not only your health and weight but also your features! The starting line for both health and beauty is your plate, and it’s possible to eat your way to victory (or, at the very least, a vast improvement). To set yourself up for beautiful skin, eyes, and hair, check out the diet advice below. Clear Skin Research on the topic is still underway, but Medical News Today reports mounting evidence that eating more omega-3 fatty acids and slow-digesting foods and less dairy can help reduce acne. Some evidence shows that during puberty, acne is more common because our bodies produce more of the growth factor IGF-1. Unfortunately, many dairy products and quick-digesting, high- glycemic-index foods, like sweet cereals, white breads, and enriched pastas, also raise the level of IGF-1 in the body. However, foods with plenty of omega-3s — like fish, nuts, wild rice, spinach, and kale — can reduce inflammation and help calm breakouts. The new year is a great time to make your health a priority again, and there are a bunch of workouts and diet plans to choose from. Too many, some might say. It can be difficult to determine exactly which health plan will help you reach your goals, but there are some pretty obvious red flags that you’ll want to avoid. Beware the Dreaded ‘Detox’ Plenty of diets, supplements, and products claim to “purify” your body by removing unspecified “toxins.” These “detoxes” conveniently forget that your kidneys and liver are already removing substances your body doesn’t need! The human body has been capable of cleansing itself for thousands of years. It doesn’t need a special smoothie or footpads to get the job done. Most detox products are nothing but snake oil, and some of them can leave you feeling worse than you did before you started using them. Unless you have been diagnosed with a disease that would impair your liver or kidneys, you don’t need to spend extra money to keep your insides clean. A healthy diet is enough. 3 Red Flags to Watch Out For Bright Eyes According to the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, upon which both the American Optometric Association (AOA) and

the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) rely, nutrient-dense foods are key for bright, healthy eyes. Nine foods in particular top the list: fish, nuts and legumes, seeds, citrus fruits, leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, beef, and eggs. Of course, drinking plenty of water is recommended too! Lustrous Locks Your hair’s appearance and how fast it grows do depend on age and genetics, but diet also plays a role. According to HealthLine.com, protein, biotin, and antioxidants all help hair grow and/or safeguard your follicles. Try adding more eggs, berries, spinach, fatty fish, sweet potatoes, avocados, nuts, seeds, sweet peppers, oysters, shrimp, soybeans, and lean red meats to your diet to reap those benefits.

MEDICAL MIRACLE OR HEALTH HOAX?

“diagnosed” condition women suffered from. They encouraged the use of a special rolling pin to banish the little lumps of fat on women’s thighs and buttocks. Since then, cellulite has been used as shorthand to mean “bad body fat you need to remove.” But cellulite is not an indication of poor health. Furthermore, there’s no cure for cellulite because it’s not a disease. It would be like using a special lotion that claims it can remove the wrinkled skin on your knuckles! Most people, especially women, have cellulite. It’s perfectly natural! If you want to get in shape this year, avoid diets or products that claim to melt cellulite. This is a clear indication these treatments aren’t based on real medical science. Cure-Alls Cure Nothing A “cure-all” is any product, treatment, or diet that claims to cure a bunch of unrelated medical problems. Cure-alls have been a problem for centuries, claiming to help with weight loss, migraines, heart disease, anxiety, depression, and even baldness! This isn’t how medicine or the human body works. One change cannot magically fix many different, sometimes unrelated, problems. A good way to determine if something is a cure-all is to check if it claims to help treat, prevent, or cure cancer. That’s a big red flag you want to avoid.

Cellulite Isn’t Real In 1968, Vogue magazine introduced American women to the word “cellulite,” warning them of a terrible

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BODY, MIND, SPIRIT

How We Can Help You Succeed and Find Connection in 2020

MIND

‘Tis the season of goal-setting, and if you’re like 71% of respondents on an Inc.com survey, you have set out to get healthier in 2020. We believe vowing to be better in the new year is an admirable goal, and we want to help you get there. BODY It all starts with your body! Our team of therapists can help you strengthen your muscle and joint integrity to give you powerful results in your new workout routine. We aim to help you meet your goals through injury treatment and prevention. When your muscles and joints are in sync with the goals you have set out for yourself, the sky’s the limit!

Do you believe in yourself, or is doubt creeping into your mind? Do you worry that this year’s goal is just going to turn out like all the rest — washed up and thrown away by Jan. 15? It doesn’t have to be this way! We can get you in the right mindset to meet your goals, and that starts with a little action. Studies link pain relief and improved movement to increased moods. Now, we’re not saying that our work can cure your mentality, but when you give yourself the best chance at succeeding, it can go a long way. SPIRIT Just like you have to fill your plate with whole, colorful foods, you have to fill your spirit with powerful messages of support and healing. Whether you find your strength through movement, expression, or communication, you need to find the outlet that’s going to give you that whole, happy, and refreshed feeling. When you begin to improve your body and your mind, your spirit will follow, but you need to nourish it with the pieces that also give it strength.

Make 2020 the year you meet your goals, and let us help you reach that point. Give us a call at (618) 529-4360 to learn how.

EASY TOMATO SOUP

WORK YOUR BRAIN

Inspired by Nom Nom Paleo

Who doesn’t love a bowl of tomato soup on a cold winter’s day? This recipe packs a lot more flavor — and a lot fewer additives — than your average store-bought soup without requiring hours of hard labor over the stove.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp coconut oil • 4 leeks, white parts only, thinly sliced • 6 cloves garlic, minced • 1 28-oz can roasted and

• 1 cup chicken broth • 8.5 oz coconut milk • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper

diced tomatoes (Muir Glen Organic is a good brand)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté leeks in coconut oil until softened and translucent, about 7–10 minutes. 2. Add garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat. 3. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée entire can of tomatoes, including juice, until smooth. 4. Add sautéed leeks and garlic and purée again. 5. Transfer purée to a saucepan and add chicken broth and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then drop to simmer and cook for 10 minutes. 6. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

SOLUTION ON PAGE 4

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WWW.SYNERGYTHERAPEUTICGROUP.COM (618) 529-4360 1110 N. CEDAR CT. • CARBONDALE, IL 62901

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INSIDE My Father’s Lessons 1 3 Ways a Healthy Diet Can Improve Your Looks These Health Hoaxes Will Sink Your Resolution 2 Connecting Body, Mind, and Spirit

Easy Tomato Soup 3 Hear From Our Clients! 4

SUCCESS STORIES PATIENT

“I asked my MD for physical therapy for my shoulder because I felt a ‘grittiness’ when I swam and when I used my shoulder in other activities. I have been in there for about two months now. My shoulder has greater range of motion. My swimming is smooth and some unease is gone when I am on my back and side. I do not experience grittiness or pain. Thanks to Synergy for helping me learn how to treat my shoulder and feeling at ease.” –Douglas B.

“I came to Synergy for lower back pain. I could not walk, stand, etc. for any length of time without pain. I sat on a stool to do dishes, load the dishwasher, cook, and do other chores. I could not walk to get mail. Now I can do all those things! I broke my right arm and elbow about five years ago and I thought it would always be weak and have pain. I couldn’t straighten it, carry groceries, or pick up my grandchildren. Now I can do all those things. I even noticed I can reach the top of the steering wheel when driving! It seems to just keep getting better!” –Cheryl C.

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