The Physical Therapy Doctor - August 2018

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AUGUST 2018

ON THE MOVE

ICE COLD

TALES FROM MY SUMMERS AT CARVEL

W ell, summer is coming to a close, and my boys are trying to squeeze every last drop out of their vacation. Oh, to be that young again, without school or responsibilities ... One day, they may decide to get summer jobs and earn some spending money. For now, I’m happy to see them enjoy their freedom.

July, one of the senior employees told a kid that our special red, white, and blue sprinkle mix had to be sorted out into their individual

“My coworkers may have been delinquents, but at least they were intellectual about it.”

colors. This poor new guy didn’t know any better, so he just sat down and started sorting this mound of rice-sized grains by hand. He was making progress when the manager came in and let him know he was being messed with. The manager then unceremoniously mixed the painstakingly separated piles back together.

In high school, I decided I’d rather make some money over the summer and save for college. My brother and some friends of mine all worked down at

the local Carvel Ice Cream parlor, and they seemed to think the job was a lot of fun. So I decided to join them, not knowing just how much fun I was signing up for. One of the perks of working at Carvel at that time was that you got a free shake during your break — a big bonus if you love ice cream as much as I do. One day, I made the rookie mistake of leaving my drink unattended. When I came back for a slurp, instead of the chocolate I was expecting, I got a stinging mouthful of citric acid. The room got a laugh as I spluttered and coughed, but one good Samaritan was there to give me a glass of water. Only it wasn’t water — it was more citric acid.

Thankfully, I learned more at this job than simply to never leave a shake unattended. It was my first real customer-facing job, and I learned a lot about how to help people find what they wanted. Carvel has a massive board of flavors, and people would often be dumbfounded by the options before them. I found it helpful to ask questions about what kinds of sweets they liked to help guide them toward finding a flavor they’d love. I try to instill the same philosophy with my team here at the Physical Therapy Doctor. Most patients don’t know how to self-diagnose their pain; they just know something hurts and they want to fix it. Asking questions to put yourself in someone else’s shoes is a key part of being an effective therapist. We may not

Looking back, I admire how much forethought went into my hazing. My

coworkers may have been delinquents, but at least they were intellectual about it. My only mistake was giving them an opportunity to mess with my shake; other new hires blundered into worse ordeals.

get the pleasure of serving up ice-cold scoops of chocolate to our patients, but we do bring smiles to a lot of faces. All in all, it’s a pretty sweet job.

–Dr. Robert Morea

I ended up working at Carvel for seven summers. In that time, I saw some pretty devious stunts pulled on the new guys. Once, after the Fourth of

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W A N T T O I M P R O V E B R A I N H E A L T H ? G R A B A S WO R D !

Did you know fencing is making a comeback? No longer just for heartsick gentlemen of the Regency era, fencing is increasingly being taught in public schools, displayed in the pages of popular indie comics, and practiced among seniors. Plenty of baby boomers are picking up swords, or “sabers” — and it’s not because they’re preparing to fight dragons. Exercise is important no matter your age, but some activities are more beneficial than others. Research published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise (PSE) suggests activities defined as “open-skill sports,” like fencing, can do more to improve brain health than “closed-skill sports.” OPEN OR CLOSED? The difference between an open-skill sport and a closed-skill sport lies in the dynamic nature of the activity. Going for a jog is great for your heart health, but your body is doing the same thing during the entire workout. This makes it a closed-skill sport. The same goes for swimming; you might have different strokes to choose from when you jump in the pool, but your brain is focused on repeating the action while doing your laps. Open-skill sports require players to respond to unpredictable circumstances in unpredictable ways. Fencing is a great open-skill sport because, while you have to learn the right way to hold the saber and move your body, you also have to think on your feet and react quickly to your opponent’s attacks.

Researchers from the Foro Italico University of Rome believe that it’s the required adaptability that makes open-skill sports so good for your brain. You challenge your body with complex motor movements and your mind with fast decisions. In the study from PSE, the researchers reported that “the open- skill athletes used less brainpower to do the same thing than the closed-skill exercisers did.” WHAT’S THE BEST OPEN-SKILL SPORT? If fencing isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other great open-skill sports, including tennis, badminton, basketball, and racquetball. What are you waiting for? Swing by your local rec center and find out what open-skill sport will be your new favorite pastime!

SUCCE S S S TOR I E S !

Hear What Our Clients Are Saying!

“My pains have been almost nonexistent.”

“I could not walk in an upright

manner or bend, especially when rising out of bed in the morning. There was pain in my right thigh, knee, and lower back while walking, and sitting for a while would cause pain. All staff have been very courteous, professional, and accommodating. I am 90 percent better so far. The doctor has been very informative, knowledgeable, and astute. My pains have been almost nonexistent. After the first visit, my walking was quite amazing.” –BARBARA K.

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THANK YOU

Sudoku Train Your Brain With

Relay for Life Was a Huge Success!

Last June, our team here at the Physical Therapy Doctor showed up in a big way at the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life, and we’d just like to take a moment to thank all those who made the event and our

participation possible! By all accounts, the event was a huge success, raising funds for cancer research and providing a heartwarming show of support for the individuals, families, and caregivers facing the illness. As an added bonus, our team had a great time too! You see, the event ended up being more than just a relay; they had us playing volleyball and tug-of-war against other teams as well. Dubbed “Team Fearless,” our energetic volunteers weren’t afraid to get a little competitive. Not only did we win the volleyball game with the help of Dr. Mel’s pro-level plays, but we also pulled off a come-from-behind win in tug-of-war! As Robert himself remembers it: “We were about one foot from losing when all of a sudden ‘Team Fearless’ kicked into determination mode. We started tugging in unison and slowly started our comeback! We were not going to lose! It didn’t matter who fell down or who lost their footing … we just kept pulling. I was so exhausted from pulling that rope … that I could barely catch my breath … however, I was laughing so hard that breathing became even more difficult.” With a huge group effort and Dr. Mike’s “guns,” we carried the day! Showing up to support a great cause already felt amazing, but getting out of the office to compete as a team was a big plus. This was an incredible event, and we are glad to have had the chance to participate. We’d like to give a big shoutout to Sylvia Johnson and Carol Palacio, two of the many event organizers we had contact with. They did an amazing job raising funds! We’d also like to thank the many members of our community who came out and showed their support for this important cause. Thank You:

Recipe of the Month:

Inspired by Delicious magazine.

GREEN BEAN AND SESAME SALAD

If you need an easy, healthy side dish with plenty of flavor, this green bean salad will be the perfect addition to your summer menu.

INGREDIENTS

•

3 cups green beans, ends trimmed

•

1 small red onion, finely chopped

• • •

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

• • •

Small bunch of fresh mint

1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley

Salt and pepper, to taste

Lois R. Rosalie C. Ginger P. Phyllis F. Alice C. K.M. Marie T. Robert B.

Diane S. Alison L. Keith K. Sandra G. Lisa P. Collette E. Nicholas M. Norman F.

Rachel R. Ryan F. Martha F. Jethro S.

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well. 2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsley with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined. 3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

Barry A. Brian H.

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INSIDE

What the Ice Cream Business Taught Me About PT Fence Your Way to Better Brain Health Hear From Our Clients Green Beans and Sesame Salad Meet ‘Team Fearless’ Sleep Better and Feel Great

How to Achieve a More Restful Night’s Sleep

your body tells you it needs rest, you should make a habit of going to bed then. The more consistent you are, the better your sleep will be.

Wake up naturally. Jolting yourself awake with an alarm or radio isn’t doing your brain and body any favors (it can be stressful on the body and even elevate blood pressure, which is not good first thing in the morning). If you do need an alarm, consider a wake-up light. Wake-up lights mimic the sunrise, slowly brightening the room, waking your body in a natural, gentle way. Kick the screen habit. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: Looking at an electronic screen — a TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone — before bed is detrimental to sleep quality. Light from these devices is disruptive to your brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which helps regulate your circadian rhythm, and screen time before bed can throw off normal SCN function. Put your excuses for staying up too late to bed. Say no to “one more episode.” And all those emails? They can wait until tomorrow. Not getting enough quality sleep is harmful to your mental and physical health. When you get into the habit of following these three tips, you’ll find yourself feeling rested and refreshed in no time.

A good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your mind and body. One study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research found that the quality of your sleep is much more important than the quantity — that is, if you want to feel rested. And we all want to feel rested. So, what can you do to improve the quality of your sleep and get the rest you need? Listen to your body. This, above all else, is crucial to a good night’s sleep. Your body knows when it’s time for bed. Generally, you want to go to bed when you feel tired, whether that’s at 8 p.m. or 1 a.m. Whenever

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