The Physical Therapy Doctor - April 2021

The Physical Therapy Doctor - April 2021

theptdoctor.com

718.747.2019

Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

April 2021

ON THE

MOVE

WHEN 3 SPORTS COLLIDE, MAGIC HAPPENS! HOW GOLF CLUBS AND TENNIS BALLS HELPED ME PLAY MORE BASEBALL

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with baseball. I loved to play all of the different versions: stickball, Wiffle ball, hardball (the real thing), and sewer-to-sewer ball on the street. I can still remember the layout of our concrete “field” in the inner city. We played between parked cars, so the hubcap of one car would be first base, the sewer plate would be second, and another hub cap on the opposite side of the street would be third. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of tagging someone out up against the side of a Toyota.

into the woods to find your golf ball, the whole place was littered with golf and tennis balls. Every time we went to the course, my brother and I would take a detour to kick through the greenery and shout, “I found one! And another one! And another!” We collected them all and hauled them home, but we didn’t do it just to clean up the woods or save money on golf balls. We had an ulterior motive: baseball. The thing about kids who love baseball is that they’ll play it with any equipment they can get their hands on — and tennis balls make pretty good baseballs. Every time I came home with a bucket full, I felt like I’d won that day, even if I technically lost at golf! Those tennis balls sustained us through many games of sewer-to-sewer.

Baseball was the No. 1 sport in my life, to the point that I was thinking about it even when I played other sports. When I was about 13, my dad introduced me to a new sport when he took me and my 15-year-old brother to a pitch and putt golf course in the Pocono Mountains. It was my very first attempt at the game.

As an adult, I have a slightly different view of golf than I did as a teenager. I always have fun at the beginning of the game, but then I start slicing. At first, I make excuses, but then it gets embarrassing! When my competitiveness kicks it, it just adds fuel to fire. And don’t get me started on people who try to correct my swing. Maybe I’d better stick to baseball after all. I might have a love-hate relationship with golf, but I know that a lot of my patients adore the game. In their honor, our team

“The thing about kids who love baseball is that they’ll play it with any equipment they can get their hands on — and tennis balls make pretty good baseballs.”

The course was a little place with just nine holes, so it was a great spot for us to learn. I remember being surprised when my dad pulled out his clubs to show us how to hit. Before then, I’d never realized my dad knew how to golf, but he put us to shame pretty easily. He hit the ball in a straight, controlled path toward the hole, while my brother and I tried to muscle it in by swinging as hard as we could.

I can’t recall who won, but I know for a fact that my big brother cheated somehow. (If you’re reading this, bro, I still stand by my score. We can count it up again if you want!) We went back to that course a few times as a family, but every time we visited, my favorite part wasn’t playing — it was searching the woods for balls.

usually sponsors a hole at Clearview Park Golf Course during their charity fundraiser. We’re also always here to help golfers stay limber or recover from back pain, which can pop up after a day of swinging. If you’re preparing for a golf game right now, we can help improve your strength and flexibility for the season. Just ask next time you call in!

See, the golf course was up against a stand of trees, and there were tennis courts nearby. That meant that if you had to duck

–Dr. Robert Morea

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As people grow older, they’re more likely to find themselves at home with less company. If your family members live far away or you have physical limitations that make it difficult to leave the house, you may be at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness. This is why adopting an animal can be so helpful. Pets offer comfort and love, and many encourage physical activity. Integrating a pet into your life as you grow older can be just what you need to lift your spirit and keep you healthy. The Benefits of Pet Ownership A lack of purpose can take a significant toll, but the sense of duty pet owners have around caring for their animals helps them avoid this. The daily tasks of feeding, playing with, and walking your animal can help provide structure and bring meaning to your life. They also give you something to look forward to each day. What’s better than waking up or coming home to a wagging tail or loud meow? This is how pets help improve their owners’ mental and physical health. Studies also show that those who care for pets have less stress and lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their petless counterparts. You’re also more likely to maintain a daily exercise routine. FELINE FRIENDS OR CANINE COMRADES HOW PETS IMPROVE OUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

Humans have an innate need to be social, and without someone to talk to regularly, our mental well-being can start to deteriorate. Pets may not be the best conversation partners, but they may increase your social activity. Walking a dog to a local park every day, for example, can provide an opportunity for you to interact with other people. If you live alone, this simple activity can increase your social circle and improve your mental health. Find the Right Pet Before taking advantage of the many benefits pets offer, it’s crucial to consider which pet is right for you. Doing research can help answer important questions about which animals might be a good fit for you and your lifestyle and which aren’t. Finding a perfect match may take some time, but once that connection is made, there is nothing that will bring more joy into both of your lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of questions that will help guide you to the perfect pet. Take a look at CDC.gov/healthypets .

DON’T SLEEP ON THESE TRACKING DEVICES WANT A BETTER NIGHT’S REST?

Sleep is essential for good health. It recharges your body and helps you start your day refreshed and alert. With so many wearable devices and sleep tracking apps on the market now, you may be wondering if you should be tracking your sleep. If any of the following apply to you, you may benefit from using a sleep tracker. • You have difficulty sleeping soundly. You wake up repeatedly throughout the night, either due to environmental noises (a snoring partner) or a sleep disorder (sleep apnea). • You feel exhausted during the day. When you don’t get enough sleep at night, you’ll feel tired during the day and may have difficulty focusing and be less productive.

table. Many track your heartbeat and movement. It’s important to keep in mind that while sleep trackers can provide valuable insights, the >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6

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