Synergy Therapeutic Group - March 2019

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

MARCH 2019

Health & WWW.SYNERGYTHERAPEUTICGROUP.COM

Wellness

THERAPEUTIC GROUP

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY

YOUR HEALTH YOUR WAY

Introducing Our New Wellness Program

I f there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my years of practicing physical therapy, it’s that pain is complex. Your chronic knee pain may feel off the charts, while your neighbor with a relatively similar issue may feel fine, wincing a bit as they go about their day. This doesn’t make your pain more severe than your neighbor’s, nor does it mean your neighbor is tougher.

In our new wellness program, you will learn ways to prevent your pain, improve your health, and get stronger through seminars, classes,

and group meetings. Cancer patients and survivors will have a support group that will provide them with tips and advice for living with their diagnosis. Through our app, those looking to shed some weight, wanting to live a more energetic life, or just needing a continual check-in can learn more about a program and future class offerings. Most of the pain we experience is predictable. I can tell you that if you’re working in a primarily sedentary job and are sitting at a desk all day, you face a high risk of shoulder problems and chronic headaches due to eye and muscle strains. If you are consistently walking across concrete or industrial surfaces, your feet, knees, and hips will eventually scream for relief. Rather than waiting around for your body to notify you of an issue, spending thousands of dollars trying to figure

“WE’RE INTRODUCING OUR NEWWELLNESS PROGRAM. BEING A CLINIC THAT IS DEVOTED TO HELPING PATIENTS LEAD THEIR FULLEST LIVES THROUGH PAIN RELIEF, WE WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROGRAM IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST YOUR PAIN. “

Pain is a process. Your body is continually adapting and changing, even at times when you feel perfectly healthy. It’s a machine, and you really only think about what your body is doing when a symptom that warrants your care crops up. Your pants start fitting tighter. Your shoulder starts throbbing more. Your head pounds behind your eyes daily. (Page 3 of this newsletter has some great information on what your headaches may be telling you!) Only when these problems and symptoms begin do most people start to react.

At Synergy Therapeutic Group, we want to see you react now — not if and when something happens — so we’re introducing our new wellness program. Being a clinic that is devoted to helping patients lead their fullest lives through pain relief, we want you to understand that this program is about so much more than just your pain. It is available to our patients who are overcoming ailments and roadblocks, but we also want to see patients utilize this wellness program when they are hoping to prevent their pain from happening. We want this program to turn into an education source, a support group, and a tool for better daily living.

out what is wrong, and then finally seeking relief, prevent it all from happening in the first place. You won’t ever be able to guarantee that nothing will go wrong in your body, but you should do all you can to prevent health issues. Your body isn’t like a car or a house; you only get one. Much like you would winterize your house or change the oil in your car, don’t forget about your body’s preventative maintenance. Let us help you live better. –Subrat Bahinipati

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A WALK IN THE WOODS IS THE PRESCRIPTION

depression. In one study from the University of Essex, participants with major depressive disorder

reported an improvement in self-esteem and mood after spending time in nature. Exercising while in nature resulted in even more of a mood boost for participants.

Our ancestors were deeply connected to their natural environment, mostly because their survival depended on it. With no Whole Foods available, those who could best track a mammoth, find water, and forage for edible plants kept themselves alive and passed on their genes. Given our history as hunter-gatherers, it’s no wonder contact with nature provides us with several health benefits. A Memory Boost In a University of Michigan study, a group of students were asked to take a memory test that involved repeating numbers back to researchers. Next, researchers separated the students into two groups. Group A took a walk around an arboretum and Group B walked along busy city streets. Afterward, they were asked to take the memory test again. Group A, the students who had walked in the arboretum, performed 20 percent better on the memory test. Group B didn’t show any marked improvement. Additional research has corroborated the memory-enhancing effects of nature. A Mood Boost Observing the benefits nature has for cognitive function, scientists wondered what effects it might have on individuals diagnosed with If you’re eager for a new adventure in 2019, you’ll surely find it in Swedish Lapland. With trail systems that take you into the Arctic Circle, the northernmost region of Sweden is home to national parks, glaciers, reindeer, the beguiling midnight sun, and spectacular night skies. Though winters are cold, one benefit of traveling to the region in this season is to catch a glimpse of the night sky. The northern lights are visible from a few remote locations like Abisko National Park, one of the first established national parks in Sweden. Traveling to Abisko is an adventure in and of itself. From Stockholm, the fastest option is to take one of only two airlines that fly into Kiruna, then travel by train to Abisko. Despite the challenge of getting there, adventure-seeking visitors from around the world arrive each winter to experience the Arctic beauty. Winter attractions include ice skating, snowshoeing, and the Scandinavian sauna (this last one is a must any time of the year). Befriend a Scandinavian and you might be treated to some pickled herring or even a princess cake, a raspberry-filled dessert covered in marzipan. Adventure in Swedish Lapland INTO THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

A Calming Effect Research also shows that spending time in nature reduces stress. In a study conducted by Chiba University in Japan, participants spent two nights in

the forest. Researchers evaluated their levels of stress hormones during and after this period and compared it to their normal work days in the city. Across the board, participants’ stress levels were much lower during the days spent in the forest and for several days afterward. Today, we’re less connected to our natural environment than our ancestors were. Modern comforts and technology mean we don’t have to go outside to get our food. But nature is still accessible and you don’t have to go far to find it. In many of the studies, even minor exposure to the outdoors, like adding plants to your home or looking out a window during work, showed health benefits. This winter, find ways to bring a little more nature into your life each day. Your brain will thank you.

Scandinavians cherish their public lands, and the trail systems are well taken care of. Hikers and backpackers can enjoy the stunning beauty in both late spring and summer, as well as a chance to see the midnight sun. Because of its far-north location, Swedish Lapland receives close to 24 hours of sunlight from June through early August. Between the boulder fields, mountains, and stunning glacial lakes, hiking here is a treat. While hiking, you may spot reindeer herds or lemmings (a small rodent similar to a hamster) racing around rocks. The Sami people have herded reindeer for thousands of years through this very land. In the summer, keep an eye out for blueberries, lingonberries, and the brightly colored cloudberries. Because of the Arctic climate, weather conditions can change quickly from sunshine to rain and heavy fog, so it’s best to dress in layers and bring wind and rain protection if you plan to venture into the backcountry.

The fantastic scenery of Swedish Lapland awaits you, no matter when you decide to take your trip. What are you waiting for?

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BODY LANGUAGE

WHAT IS YOUR HEADACHE TELLING YOU?

Before you pop another pill, consider what your headache is indicating. Though common, headaches are not normal. They’re actually signals from your body that something is wrong, and the cause needs to be remedied as soon as possible. One of the most common varieties, tension headaches often emerge as pain on the sides of your head. These are usually a signal from your spine and nerves that your body is stressed. Maybe you’ve been staring at your computer too long, or the way you’re sitting is putting pressure on your neck. Regardless, your body is asking for a break. If your tension headaches are consistent, it’s time to evaluate your environment and lifestyle. Your head may be communicating that you need to slow down or that you have chronic tension and pain in your shoulders and back. More severe than tension headaches, migraine causes may be difficult to nail down. Pressure on the spine, specific foods, brain tumors, stress, and even a woman’s menstrual cycle have all been linked to cause debilitating, call-in-sick migraine pain. Migraines should not be ignored, because the nausea, blurry vision, and intense pain GET BACK TO L I V I NG YOUR L I FE

could be your body’s way of telling you something is blocking its normal function. The cause of that blockage could be food you eat or the alignment of your back and neck muscles.

Other forms of headaches can appear as the searing, pinpoint pain of cluster headaches or the foggy pressure of sinus headaches. Both of these types could be your body’s way of indicating that it’s recovering from something. Patients who overuse drugs or are recovering from hangovers often report cluster-headache pain, while sinus headaches manifest when your phlegm does. Both are signs that your digestive and immune systems are slogging through a mess. Next time you find yourself with head-clogging, intense pain near your brain, get up from your desk and take a walk. Turn down your music, and drink some more water. You could also try stretching to relieve pressure. Remember, pills only mask the pain; finding the real source of your throbbing head will prevent it from happening in the future. The best way to treat chronic headaches is to seek help. To learn how Synergy Therapeutic Group can help relieve your headaches, call (618) 529-4360.

LEARN HOW TO MANAGE BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA WITHOUT MEDICATION, INJECTIONS, OR SURGERY.

SPICY SALMON TARTARE

This delicious tartare is the perfect healthy alternative to gut- busting game-day dips. Serve alongside your favorite chips or crackers for an appetizer that’s sure to impress.

SIGN UP AT SYNERGYTHERAPEUTICGROUP.COM/WORKSHOP . YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND THE WORKSHOP. ONLY 20 SPOTS AVAILABLE! WORK YOUR BRAIN

INGREDIENTS

• 1 8-ounce boneless, skinless salmon fillet • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice • 1/4 teaspoon lime zest • 1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and finely diced • 1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons shallots, minced

• 3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chives, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons grapeseed or vegetable oil • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste • Crackers or chips, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Place salmon in freezer for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. 2. Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients for mixing. 3. Thinly slice salmon into sheets and cut sheets into strips and strips into cubes. When finished, you should have 1/8-inch cubes. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine salmon with all other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with chips or crackers and serve.

SOLUTION ON PAGE 4

Inspired by Epicurious

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

THERAPEUTIC GROUP

INSIDE Our New Program 1 3 Ways Nature Improves Your Health Prepare for an Adventure in Lapland 2 Decode Your Headache

Spicy Salmon Tartare 3 Hear From Our Clients! 4

SUCCESS STORIES “My visit to Synergy came about when these professionals came to a treatment center for alcoholism.

PATIENT

“I came to Synergy because I had pain in my front left hip that was preventing me from running and gave me pain when I was walking for a month. This caused

(By the way, I am an alcoholic, having hit my bottom for the umpteenth time.) Should hope for a pain-free existence without drugs or surgeries. I knew that in doing the things recommended to me and through the visits to the clinic, I had to be open-minded and willing to let stress leave me.

me problems; since I wasn’t exercising during the day, it was preventing me from sleeping at night. I finally saw a doctor about it, and then a massage therapist and they gave me stretches that I did every day but nothing helped until I came to Synergy. I found out that I was carrying stress in my hips and lower back, and after two visits I was completely healed, to my relief.” –Megan H.

Through their program, I can have peace and move joints and muscles that I couldn’t before. I was also told that once you get neuropathy in the feet, there is no hope of recovering. WRONG! I am feeling my feet and able to walk on a balance beam or straight. I am not stumbling and can walk fast for a bit. I couldn’t do this before Synergy. These people are professionals and help you get relief from physical pain. I very highly recommend this program and hope to see you soon.” –Scott R.

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