Spine & Rehab Specialists - April 2021

Spine & Rehab Specialists - April 2021

APRIL 2021

6358 EDGEMERE BLVD. EL PASO, TEXAS 79925 915-562-8525

11855 PHYSICIANS DR. EL PASO, TEXAS 79936 915-855-6466

THE GREAT CENTIPEDE DISASTER OF 2017 HOW WE REVIVED HARRY’S HERB GARDEN AFTER A BUG INVASION

with just water and grow light. You don’t even need any soil! I ordered one, and Harry loved it. He started growing herbs and lettuce right away. It sounds like this story has a happy ending, but the funniest part of it all is that Harry’s thumb is a little bit too green. He started growing stuff in the AeroGarden system right away, and it went crazy! Before I knew it we had two systems and now, four years later, we have a constant abundance of chives, mint, basil, lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers. There are so many that I don’t know what to do with them all! I love the lettuce the most, but our house is so full of cherry tomato plants that I can’t eat them off the bush fast enough. Now that spring is here, it’s time to start our annual project of taking seedlings from the AeroGarden and transplanting them into the yard. It’s our best solution for when things grow out of control, and it will take up a good chunk of time for me and Harry this month. If you see us in the office with dirt under our fingernails, you’ll know why! During this time of year, we always hear stories from our patients about their gardens. One great thing about physical therapy is that it can help people like you get back outside in the garden without worrying about stiffness or pain. I’m always proud when we can make that happen, and if a patient is looking for a way to garden during their recovery without getting down in the dirt, I always suggest the AeroGarden system. You can find a bunch of them online for around $100, and I promise they work (maybe too well!). As for me, now that we’ve put The Great Centipede Disaster behind us, I’m hoping our next project will be Bonsai trees. I love the cool shapes that they make, but in the past when Harry and I have tried to grow them ourselves, we’ve always killed them off. Fingers crossed we’re luckier this year.

Hey friend, it’s Bonnie here! It’s been a while since I took a turn at writing this newsletter, but I couldn’t resist jumping in this month because April is officially planting season here in Texas, and that always reminds me of The Great Centipede Disaster. The Great Centipede Disaster is exactly what it sounds like. It all started four years ago. Back then, Harry used to have an herb garden in our front courtyard at home. It had an automatic watering system to keep the herbs nice and damp through the Texas heat. But it turns out that moisture came with a downside: It attracted centipedes — tons and TONS of centipedes. The influx of centipedes hit its peak in the spring of 2017, and I had to call an exterminator to drop granules and get them out of there. After fending off the bugs, the exterminator took one look around the courtyard and told me, “This herb garden has got to go.” I agreed to let him remove it, and when Harry got home, the sight of the empty courtyard broke his heart. See, Harry loves growing things and having fresh herbs and lettuce to cook with. He was really upset that I let the exterminator rip out his garden even though it had to be done. So I went online to find a way to make it up to him, and guess what I found: a countertop AeroGarden system! The system sits on our counter, and you can use it to grow herbs

Wishing you a fantastic, centipede-free spring,

–Bonnie Koster

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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 Center 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?

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

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