Professional Physical Therapy Inc. - February 2020

FEBRUARY 2020

620 Old West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 • 508-528-6100 • www.ProPTinc.com

THE RISKS OF LIVINGWITH LOVE

We’ll be welcoming a “Bernedoodle” into our home this month, a hybrid species that’s a mix between a Bernese mountain dog and a poodle. The decision to adopt a Bernedoodle was easy because there’s something for everyone to love. The breed has the muscle for long hikes with my husband and the affection for cuddling with my daughter. They’re also known to be great support animals, and I’m looking forward to training our new dog to come into the office to aid in giving support our clients need. The pure love that animals are capable of sparking in humans can be a powerful healer, and we can’t wait to welcome new love into our family. I’m even more excited to announce that we’ll be adding yet another member to our family soon. My daughter, Ashley, and her boyfriend, Stephen, are officially engaged! Their announcement came in December, and I’m so excited for the journey they’re about to embark on. It’s been a long time coming, as their relationship started in high school. They’ve truly grown up together and seen one another through the thickest and thinnest defining moments of their lives so far. They know everything about each other and complement one another in ways that amaze me. After so many years, I’ve come to love Stephen as I do my daughters. Still, welcoming love into your life is not without its risks. When you raise children, you know you’ll someday be letting go of them as they leave the nest in pursuit of lives of their own. That prospect is very real for my husband and I as we help Ashley plan for her wedding day. The same goes for when you welcome a new pet into your life. You do so knowing they’re going to leave you much sooner than you’d like. When that day comes, the loss is as impactful as losing any human family member. When you love something, letting go of it can be extremely difficult. But just because you’re letting go doesn’t mean you’re loving any less. In fact, when you do manage to let go, it allows you to take a step back and see the full capacity your heart has to give. If you’ve been able to navigate all

Love comes in many forms. The love I have for my husband is different than the love I have for my daughters, and both of these loves are different from the love I have for the work I do. But I don’t think measuring love by category does it justice. Rather, you should measure love by how much of it you put in, no matter the form. Sometimes, the moment you realize how much love you’re capable of arrives on the brink of new love or when you find yourself having to let it go. My family has always loved dogs, but unfortunately, our last dog passed away about five years ago. Each of us still feels the sting of that loss from time to time because our pets become extended members of our family. We care for them dutifully, and they love us unconditionally. It’s a love that can teach us a lot about ourselves. So, we’ve decided the time has come to open our hearts once again.

the ups and downs that come with living a life full of love, then you’ll know that whoever has received your love is better for having it. For me, that’s reason enough to be willing to love, even if sometimes it means letting go.

– Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz

Professional Physical Therapy | 508-528-6100 • 1

Time to Get Back Out There! Expert Advice to Beat the Stigma of Senior Dating

places in your area, one for each letter of the alphabet, then going to those places. While you’re out, Copeland says, “You want to smile. Make eye contact. Ask a question. Give a compliment and put a question behind it.” BE PRESENT WHEN MEETING NEW PEOPLE. Dating as a senior means coming to the table with a lot of baggage. Dating is when people get acquainted, so be careful about sharing that baggage right out of the gate. This doesn’t mean you should never talk about heavy topics, but remember this advice from the popular dating site, eHarmony: “Early on, focus on enjoying each other’s company here and now.” It doesn’t matter if you’re 26 or 62, dating is always hard. You have to step outside your comfort zone and trudge through a series of terrible first dates. But in the end, it’s all worth it when you find that special someone with whom you can spend your golden years. Just remember, you’ll never meet that person if you don’t make the leap.

Getting back into dating can be hard when you’ve been out of the game for a few decades. In fact, some would-be romantics are so self-conscious about their age that they never even try! In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’ve rounded up some expert advice on dating at any age. DON’T FEAR ONLINE DATING. Online dating is a great way to meet people outside of your social circle, and there are many dating sites and apps specifically for singles over 50 who are ready to mingle. Julie Spira, a relationship expert with senior dating app OurTime, says that “Authentic dating profiles get the best results.” Basically, don’t lie on your profile. Use a picture of you from this year and be proud of your age. That’s the best way to find people who will love the real you. GO TO 26 DIFFERENT PLACES. Prefer to meet people in person? Lisa Copeland, a dating coach who works exclusively with women over 50, recommends creating a list of 26 different

Patient

of the Month

MICHAEL KELLY PFFM FOUNDATION, MENARD CHILDREN’S FUND

“Lt. Jason Menard died a hero in the line of duty fighting a four-alarm house fire in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Nov. 13, 2019. He selflessly saved members of his crew through his actions. Lt. Menard was 39 years old, the proud father of three children, and a dedicated husband. All of the funds will go directly to the Menard family. This charity is meaningful to me as a father of three children and proud uncle to two firefighters. Our prayers are with the Menard family.” –Mike

Mike was an easy choice for patient of the month, as he attended all of his appointments with a smile and was a pleasure to work with. Not only did he work hard, but he also connected with all of our staff members and was always willing to give advice. We thank Mike for being our patient of the month and for all the laughs.

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Attention, all shoulder and rotator cuff pain sufferers! Take advantage of Professional Physical Therapy’s FREE workshop! In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, show your body a little love by attending this month’s shoulder pain and rotator cuff workshops:

Saturday, Feb. 15, 8–9 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 8–9 a.m.

The workshops are only available to the first 20 people who register, so make sure you visit ProPTinc.com or call 508-528-6100 to reserve your spot today!

Our rotator cuff workshop reveals how to heal without medication, injections, or surgery. Do you have shoulder pain when you: • Reach up high or behind you • Lift something heavy • Sleep at night • Work around the house • Get dressed If so, you need this workshop! Our physical therapists will teach you all about: • The common causes of rotator cuff problems • The top three exercises you can do • The worst position to sleep in • The No. 1 mistake that might cause surgery Help your shoulders feel the love by attending a FREE workshop. Reserve your spot at ProPTinc.com or call our office at 508-528-6100.

GiveYour Heart aWorkout

So You Can Feel the Love

risk of heart disease — it can reduce fat and create leaner muscle. In combination with aerobic exercise, resistance training may also raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol. Try to do some form of it at least two days per week using free weights, weight machines, resistance bands, or body-resistance exercises like pushups and situps. FLEXIBILITY AND BALANCE Stretching doesn’t directly contribute to heart health, but it does benefit musculoskeletal health. If you can stay flexible, fight joint pain, and reduce cramping and other muscular issues, then your body has more capacity for aerobic exercise and resistance training. A good foundation enables you to do the exercises that directly help your heart, so it’s important to stretch before and after every time you exercise. Dozens of stretches and balance exercises are at your disposal, and tai chi or yoga can advance these skills.

Everyone knows that exercising regularly is one of the keys to a healthy and happy heart. But exercise comes in many forms, so how do you know what’s best for giving your heart the workout it deserves? Research shows that these types of exercises come out on top. AEROBIC EXERCISE This is the type of exercise that really gets your heart pumping. That means it improves circulation, which in turn lowers your blood pressure and resting heart rate. It also increases your cardiac output, or how well your heart pumps. You should aim to do aerobic exercises for a total of at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Running, swimming, cycling, jumping rope, and participating in fast-paced team sports like soccer and basketball are great options. RESISTANCE TRAINING Also known as strength work, resistance training more specifically affects body composition. For people carrying a lot of body fat — and a higher

Combine this fitness with proper diet and reduced stress, and you’ll be on your way to a healthy heart so you can spread the love this Valentine’s Day!

SUCCESS STORIES

“There are a lot of choices for physical therapy. After having a very positive experience with ProPT after my knee surgery, there was no doubt where I would go after my a total hip replacement surgery. Dr. Patt and all the therapists are amazing at guiding, directing, and pushing for a complete return to full activities. Within three months, I am able to do more than I could before and already look forward to skiing again this year.”

Easy Shrimp Scampi

Make date night simple with this easy shrimp scampi recipe.

Ingredients

• • • •

4 tbsp butter 4 tbsp olive oil

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1/2 cup dry white wine 1/4 cup lemon juice 8 oz cooked linguine

–Bill Wright

1 tbsp minced garlic 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/4 cup parsley

1/2 tsp oregano

Directions 1. In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. 2. Add shrimp and oregano, stirring frequently until shrimp is pink. Remove shrimp from skillet. 3. Add wine and lemon juice to skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. 4. Stir in remaining butter and olive oil and cook until butter is melted. 5. Add cooked shrimp to skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. 6. In a serving bowl, top cooked linguine with shrimp mixture. Garnish with parsley and serve.

“My experience with ProPT was incredible. I came in with severe back pain after a spinal fusion five years prior. A CT scan revealed a bulging disc and disc degenerative disease. The treatment was highly effective in healing my back and relieving my pain. Their program was quite different from previous places I have been, and it works! May God bless this team.”

–Joan Loud

Inspired by The Blond Cook

Professional Physical Therapy | 508-528-6100 • 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

www.ProPTinc.com 620 Old West Central Street Franklin, MA 02038 508-528-6100

Thank you for being part of the Professional Physical Therapy family!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Love Is in the Air Too Old for Love? No Such Thing!

Patient of the Month Fitness for Your Heart Easy Shrimp Scampi The Effects of Love on Your Physical Health

The Secret to Living a Longer, Healthier Life CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE?

Ohio State University Medical Center healed nearly twice as fast on people who experienced consistent warmth and care than those who experienced hostility. In fact, the latter group needed almost a full additional day to achieve the same amount of healing as the first group. LONGER, HAPPIER LIVES Being surrounded by love may even save your life. A statistic from the National Health Interview Survey states that single people face a 58% higher risk of mortality. Further bolstering that claim is the Harvard Health Blog, which claims happily married participants experience better health as they age when compared to peers in unhappy partnerships. In fact, the blog asserts, “People in stressful, unhappy marriages may be worse off than a single person who is surrounded by supportive and caring friends, family, and loved ones.” So, it seems the results are in: Loving someone is a healthy lifestyle choice. Even having a strong network of friends and family boosts your odds of living a long life by 50%. So, get out there and make the healthy choice for yourself and those around you by leading a life full of love.

The human brain is an incredibly powerful organ. It solves complex problems, recalls forgotten memories, and triggers a dizzying array of emotions. But its most incredible power is the effect it can have on the rest of the body. When it comes to love, well, our brains certainly love it, and our bodies reflect that. LESS STRESS Human beings thrive on a sense of connection and belonging, and studies have shown that love actually has positive effects on a person’s physical health as well as mental. The security and commitment felt in a loving relationship are shown to reduce stress by stunting the production of cortisol, the body’s stress-inducing hormone. Less stress means lower blood pressure, a healthier heart, and a lower risk of stroke, especially in men. HEALTHIER IMMUNE SYSTEMS Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that calm, happy people can fight common colds and the flu more easily than those who are anxious or depressed. The physical benefits of love even go as far as healing wounds quicker. Small injuries inflicted on a wide test group at

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