Synergy Therapeutic Group - October 2018

Synergy Therapeutic Group - October 2018

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

OCTOBER 2018

Health & WWW.SYNERGYTHERAPEUTICGROUP.COM

Wellness

THERAPEUTIC GROUP

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY

ADDRESSING PATIENTS’ FEARS

A Physical Therapist’s Lesser-Known Ability

On Halloween, ghosts and goblins lurk around every corner waiting to spook and scare unsuspecting victims. But we don’t shy away from such frights — far from it, in fact! It’s a tradition to dress up as some of our favorite scary characters and parade around town asking for candy. Haunted houses pop up in every neighborhood, and we all start thinking of clever ways to prank our loved ones. We address our fears outright in October. The type of fear experienced by our patients at Synergy Therapeutic is a little different, however. Fear holds back relief for our patients, and many struggle with confronting it. There’s always a fear of the unknown with an injury. Some people worry about being able to do the exercises. Occasionally, the fear is even deeper. We often see patients who have lived with debilitating pain or injury for far too long. Some patients come in with decades of pain, having continually made abnormal adjustments to their lives just so they can function and get through the day. There may even be a fear of living normally and being healthier, because for so long they have lived a different way. What people who are not physical therapists might not realize is that we are doing so much more than leading someone through exercises and techniques. As physical therapists, we play many roles. We’re medical experts. We act as sounding boards for new ideas and tactics. We’re friends that patients can vent to. And usually, we’re like psychologists, delving into deeper issues than just foot, leg, or shoulder problems. It’s our job to show our patients how physical therapy can benefit them and help them lead healthy, strong lives. That first appointment is so important;

that’s where we show them that even one appointment can have a lasting impact on their health and mobility.

Every patient has different limits. Some need to be pushed, while others need coaxing. A good physical therapist will understand this delicate balance of navigating a patient’s recovery fears. We went through rigorous schooling to be where we are, but without a common understanding of how to push our patients safely beyond their limits and address their fears, that schooling becomes worthless. It’s like a switch — one that no patient really wants to touch, but one that needs to be flipped if we want to see a patient succeed. To those who have never experienced physical therapy, this might sound unusual. How does addressing a fear help your leg heal? Even those who have been through some of our programs may not fully understand. But on some level, every patient we treat will have a fear that has the potential to hold them back. Every day, we address our patients’ deepest fears. We’re coaching them through major life obstacles, and if we don’t confront their fears with them, healing won’t happen. You can’t learn how to live a healthy and happy life when you’re stuck in your old habits and movement patterns. You have to expand and grow, and as physical therapists, we promise we will encourage that — no matter how scary it is.

– Subrat Bahinipati

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EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Organized, in the words of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), to “honor those at every step of the breast cancer journey,” the annual observance has also served to educate the public and raise funds for research. Learn more about this deadly but survivable disease, and find out how you can help. Breast cancer is extremely common. According to the NBCF, 1 in 8 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. It is the second-leading cause of death in women (behind heart disease). A breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence, however. Thanks to research and ongoing education, there are over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today. What causes breast cancer? Breast cancer is caused by damage to cells’ DNA. It’s most common in women over the age of 40, though approximately 2,500 men in the U.S. are diagnosed each year as well. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Most risk factors, such as age, gender, and family history, cannot be changed. However, research shows that exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, and minimizing alcohol consumption may reduce your chance of being diagnosed with the disease. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may also place you at higher risk.

Do You or Someone You Love Need to Schedule a Mammogram?

Contrary to popular myths, breast cancer is not caused by milk, microwave ovens, cellphones, caffeine, plastic cutlery, or deodorants.

Annual mammograms are free. Early detection is the biggest factor in breast cancer survival. There’s some debate among researchers and insurance companies over the “right” age to begin screening, but most sources agree that women should begin to get regular mammograms in their 40s (and earlier if they have a family history of the disease). The Affordable Care Act (ADA) requires all health insurance plans to cover the cost of annual mammograms for women age 40 and older, and there are many organizations devoted to providing free mammograms to uninsured individuals. You can make a difference. Visit Donate.nationalbreastcancer.org to learn how to help. The NBCF funds cancer research, works to provide free mammograms to low-income women, and serves as a resource for patients and their families. Many cities also have local organizations in need of donations and volunteers.

SUCCESS STORIES “When I came to Synergy, my neck was in constant pain. This “We’ve only been seeing Mrs. Dash for a short period of time, and we have seen incredible changes. When we first started, Joshua’s language was limited. In fact, he did not use correct sentences well and did not make conversation often. Mrs. Dash has gotten Joshua to participate in activities that he would not participate in when we first started!

PATIENT

pain not only prevented me from doing my job, but it also started affecting my ability to be a father. I was tired of pumping my body every day with Ibuprofen and wanted relief from the pain.

“Mrs. Dash is quite intuitive. She was able to quickly determine Joshua’s strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan to help his development. She has helped my husband and me set expectations for Joshua that we didn’t even realize he was capable of. Because of these high expectations, we are seeing Joshua flourish. She’s amazing. She is demanding but works to build the relationship first, and the results have proven to be so effective. We trust her wholeheartedly, and I know so many more children will benefit from her care.” –Michelle T.

“I was impressed with Synergy at my first visit because Chandana went above and beyond to not only provide relief for my pain, but provide a path for me to address what was the cause of the pain. Throughout my visits to Synergy, my pain has subsided, and I have become stronger and more aware as to modifying my behaviors and habits that were creating the stress that I was feeling in my neck. “I still have a long journey ahead of me, but I have the resources, encouragement, and knowledge that I need to make it successful.” –Timothy M.

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PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN DO THAT?

SURPRISING BENEFITS FOR COMMON DIAGNOSES

We often associate physical therapy with the treatment of breaks and strains, but it can offer you so much more. From debilitating diseases to general body maintenance, physical therapy is designed to improve bodily function and create happier, healthier people. Recovering from a pulled muscle is an obvious reason to choose physical therapy, but some of the other conditions that our methods can help with may surprise you. Cancer Treatment Relief While physical therapy is not a cure for cancer, it can help a patient who is undergoing treatment. The effects of radiation, chemotherapy, surgeries, and medications might leave a patient feeling weak, but through physical therapy, some patients may feel stronger moving forward in their fight. Your physical therapist is also another line of defense for your body, since they know it so well. They can alert you when something doesn’t look right, especially if you’re undergoing cancer treatment. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome We’ve heard the experts drone on about it: Sitting at a desk all day isn’t ideal for health. Yoga balls and GET BACK TO L I V I NG YOUR L I FE

standing desks have paved the way for a healthier office environment, but your hands are still perched over a keyboard all day, which puts strain on them and your wrists. Surgery is often suggested by doctors, but physical therapy can help your hands get stronger. This method could be an alternative or an addition to surgical treatments, but regardless, your hands will feel healthier. Diabetes Those looking to prevent a diabetes diagnosis and those looking to live a full life with it can benefit from physical therapy. First of all, monitoring your blood sugar and your body is always important when you have diabetes. A physical therapist can help you create exercises and monitor your body to ensure you’re still living a healthy life with the diagnosis. For those looking to prevent diabetes, physical therapy can help you create a proper exercise routine and keep your body moving. The moves will strengthen your body and make you healthier — a solid way to prevent a diagnosis. Surprising or not, your body benefits from strength training and movement. Learn more about the ways Synergy Therapeutic Group can help you by calling (618) 529-4360 or by visiting SynergyTherapeuticGroup.com .

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

SPICED PUMPKIN SEED CRUNCH

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

This recipe combines pumpkin seeds, a seasonal favorite, with cashews, sunflower seeds, and spices. It’s a perfect homemade snack for the fall.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large egg white • 1 teaspoon light agave syrup • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala or curry powder • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds • 1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds • 1/4 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped

• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper • Nonstick vegetable oil spray

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 300 F. 2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg white, agave, salt, and spices. Add nuts and seeds and toss until evenly coated. 4. Using a slotted spoon, strain spoonfuls of mixture over bowl and transfer to baking sheet. Discard excess egg white mixture. 5. Bake 20–25 minutes, tossing once. 6. Let cool and serve.

SOLUTION ON PAGE 4

Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine

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

INSIDE Addressing Patients’ Fears 1 October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month Hear From Our Clients! 2 Physical Therapy’s Surprising Benefits Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch 3 The Surprising Origins of Trick- or-Treating 4 THERAPEUTIC GROUP

WHY THERE ARE KIDS ON YOUR PORCH ASKING FOR CANDY The History of Trick-or-Treating

As Halloween looms and you load up your grocery cart with candy, you may ask yourself, “Why do I provide these spooky gremlins with a sugar high every Oct. 31, anyway?” Well, when your doorbell starts ringing around 6 p.m. this All Hallows’ Eve, you can thank the Celts for this tradition of candy and costumes. Halloween itself is a kind of mishmash of four different cultural festivals of old: two Roman fêtes, which commemorated the dead and the goddess of fruit and trees (not at the same time); the Celtic Samuin or Samhain, a new year’s party thrown at the end of our summer; and the Catholic All Saint’s Day, designed to replace Samuin and divorce it from its pagan origins.

marked an overlapping of the realms of the living and the dead. To trick the spirits leaking into our world, young men donned flowing white costumes and black masks — a great disguise when ghosts were about. The Catholic Church was never a big fan of these pagan traditions, so they renamed it “All Saints’ Day” and gussied it up in religious garb. By the 11th century, people were dressing up as saints, angels, and the occasional demon instead of spirits. Eventually, costumed children started tearing through town begging for food and money and singing a song or prayer in return — a practice called “souling.” But when did they start dressing up as Minions? Starting in the 19th century, souling turned to “guising,” which gave way to trick-or- treating in mid-20th-century America, and the costumes diversified. So put on some clown makeup and a big smile, scoop up a handful of sweets, and scare the living daylights out of ‘em — ‘tis the season!

Long before there were young’uns on your porch dressed as Thanos with candy-filled pillowcases in hand, the Celts believed that Samuin

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