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March 2025
ON THE
MOVE
REDISCOVERING THE JOY OF READING WHY BOOKS MATTER MORE THAN EVER
Reading has an incredible way of transporting us — whether to another time, another world, or simply into someone else’s shoes. It stimulates the imagination, expands our thinking, and reminds us of the power of storytelling. But in today’s world, where screens and reality TV dominate our attention, it’s easy to forget how much joy can be found in a great book. That’s why Read Across America Day on March 2 is such a great reminder to slow down and reconnect with the written word. This day celebrates the importance of reading and encourages people of all ages to pick up a book. For me, it was also a moment to reflect on how reading has shaped my life and why it’s important for me to share with my kids. A couple of months ago, I had a moment of realization. I was caught up in the daily cycle of news and social media, and it all started to feel a bit uninspiring. I remembered how, as a kid, I used to get completely lost in books and movies, absorbed in their creativity and escapism. But somewhere along the way, that feeling had faded a bit. So, I decided to do something about it. I took my son to a bookstore — just like the ones I used to love going to when I was younger. He picked “Tom Sawyer,” and I grabbed “Huckleberry Finn” — a book I hadn’t read in years but one I remember being full of humor, adventure, and truth.
The moment I started reading, I was hooked all over again. “Huckleberry Finn” is just as sharp, funny, and insightful as I remembered. It was refreshing to escape into Huck’s world, where childlike honesty meets the absurdities of adult life. One of the moments that stood out to me early on in the book was when the Widow Douglas adopted Huck and determined to “civilize” him. She had all sorts of rules for him — how to sit, behave, and think about right and wrong. But Huck, being Huck, processed it all in his own hilarious and straightforward way. “Then she told me all about the bad place, and I said I wished I was there. She got mad, then, but I didn’t mean no harm. All I wanted was to go somewhere; all I wanted was a change, I warn’t particular. She said it was wicked to say what I said; said she wouldn’t say it for the whole world; she was going to live so as to go to the good place. Well, I couldn’t see no advantage in going where she was going, so I made up my mind I wouldn’t try for it. But I never said so, because it would only make trouble, and wouldn’t do no good.” This conversation about heaven and hell, or as the Widow Douglas put it, “the good place” and “the bad place,” made me laugh because it’s so perfectly Huck Finn — questioning the world in a way only a kid would. It reminded me of the way kids today process the
world around them. They don’t watch the news. They don’t get caught up in the constant worrying that adults do. They live in the moment, question everything, and have a way of cutting through the nonsense with pure honesty. Reading “Huckleberry Finn” again made me think about how important it is to keep that childlike curiosity and imagination alive. Life can get serious, stressful, and routine. But books remind
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THE ROAD TO REMOTE RECOVERY Robotics Revitalize Physical Therapy
Whether by necessity or convenience, the past few years have seen the rise of remote work and virtual interactions. With the touch of a computer key, people can now connect with colleagues and loved ones from anywhere in the world. Remote technologies also have the potential to revolutionize the field of physical therapy, offering individuals with limited mobility more options than ever to receive treatment without leaving their homes. Thanks to an ambitious professor in the Midwest, robotics designed to provide stroke patients and other individuals with disabilities with a thorough workout may soon be widely used — all from the comfort of their computer desks. Mobility From Milwaukee The latest evolution in robotic rehabilitation technology, the iTbot, is a portable robotic arm used in tandem with virtual reality to assess and treat physical therapy patients who cannot attend in-person sessions. It is the brainchild of Habib Rahman, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s College of Engineering & Applied Science, who is currently testing it for public use. Similar to online games that allow players worldwide to interact with one another, the iTbot connects therapists and patients for remote sessions that track movement and collect data in real time. Using tablets or home computers, patients engage in various activities — such as moving the iTbot to touch “balls” that spread further apart on the screen — which test their mobility and generate information that appears on the therapist’s screen. Therapists can calibrate or adjust the iTbot’s arm remotely based on the patient’s needs and abilities as the session progresses.
the physical robotic arm as the patient uses it appears on the therapist’s screen,” Rahman explained in a university press release. “All that data the robotic arm collects in the real environment you can see on the digital twin.” Just as the iTbot may soon provide patients with a mobile means of treatment, it also has the potential to benefit therapists by reducing the burdens they experience when delivering continuous in-person care. “This kind of technological innovation is needed,” added Inga Wang, the university’s professor of occupational therapy, science and technology, in the release. “One- third of physical and occupational therapists themselves experience musculoskeletal injuries due to the physical demands of conventional therapy.”
Healing Through History While the iTbot represents the future of robotic
rehabilitation, the quest to incorporate machinery into physical therapy has spanned more than a century. In 1910, a patent was filed for an electric, motor-driven “movement cure apparatus” to help heart disease patients improve their walking abilities. Despite this early advancement, it would take another 70-plus years before the first robotic rehabilitation became commercially available. Called the MIT-Manus, it was developed to assist with limb movement, cognitive function, and motor relearning.
The creation of the iTbot has launched an exciting new era in robotics research. It offers hope to individuals whose physical ailments prevent them from
traveling to receive the therapy they need. Soon, all someone yearning to improve their quality of life will need is an internet connection and the will to succeed.
“We are essentially creating a digital twin of the patient’s evaluation — a virtual model of
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WORD SEARCH
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us to question things, dream bigger, and view the world from a different perspective. I also started thinking about how important it is to ensure my own kids grow up surrounded by books. As much as they love cartoons and video games, something about holding a book and flipping through its pages can’t be replaced. Beyond books, it’s also about playing, laughing, and staying present. I created some of my best memories growing up while playing outside, running races, and inventing games with my friends. We didn’t need anything fancy — just a ball, some imagination, and a group of friends who were up for an adventure. If you haven’t picked up a book in a while, Read Across America Day is a great excuse to start again, live in the moment, and enjoy each passing day. So, what’s the last book that made an impact on you? And if you can’t remember, maybe it’s time to find your next great read. –Dr. Robert Morea
Aquamarine Basketball Bluebird
Clover Green Ides
Leprechaun Madness Pisces
Spring Tangerine Tulip
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Inspired by AllRecipes.com
TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS • 1 (4 lb) corned beef brisket with spice packet • 3 qts water • 1 onion, quartered • 3 carrots, cut into large chunks
• 3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces • 1 tsp salt
• 2 lbs red potatoes, halved • 1 small head of cabbage, cut into eighths
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine corned beef, spice packet contents, water, onions, carrots, celery, and salt. Bring to a simmer (skimming off any foam on top). 2. Cover pot, reduce to low heat, and let simmer for 3 hours until meat is fork tender. 3. Add potatoes to the pot and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until potatoes are al dente. 4. Add cabbage along the edges of the meat and on top. Cover and let simmer until cabbage is tender, 20–30 minutes. 5. Place meat on a cutting board and let rest for 10–15 minutes. After meat has cooled, slice against the grain. 6. Add to a large serving bowl, ladle vegetables and broth over top, and serve. DIRECTIONS
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718.747.2019
212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360
theptdoctor.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1.
The Lessons We Learn From Literature (Even as Adults)
2.
A Physical Rehab Revolution
3.
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage
4.
How Creative Activities Promote Healthy Aging
Age Gracefully With Movement You Enjoy
NO GYM REQUIRED! By now, you’re probably tired of hearing about healthy aging. Every article says you should eat specific things and exercise regularly, but what if you’ve never enjoyed going to the gym or jogging? You’re probably not going to start running marathons, lifting weights, or joining a sports club at this point. It can make you wonder if other options exist to add more physical activity to your daily routine. The answer is yes. Instead of going to the gym or running through your neighborhood, you can find creative activities to provide extra movement to your day. Even better? You’ll improve your physical and mental agility. Here are two creative aging activities you can explore. Take the Stage Acting is an excellent activity for anyone to start, but it becomes even more beneficial to aging Americans. Through acting, you’ll notice improvements in your concentration and memorization. Depending on the play, you may be required to stay moving, which will benefit your physical health. Plus, you’ll get many opportunities to socialize with your castmates. Many local theaters actively look for aspiring actors to audition.
Bust a Move You may have fond memories of dancing in clubs, at weddings, or during special events, but the opportunities to boogie become rarer as we age. Thankfully, dance classes and studios love sharing the enjoyment of dance with people of all ages. Whether you like salsa, tap, waltz, swing, or some other type of dance, you can find a class or group ready to welcome you.
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Lower Back Pain and Sciatica Workshop Reveals How to Naturally Heal Back Pain FOR GOOD!
Do you suffer from back pain or leg pain when you stand or walk? Do you have pain when you sit for long periods or drive? Do you experience pain, numbness, or tingling in your butt, groin, or down your leg? Does your back ever “go out” if you move the wrong way? Are you afraid your pain will get worse if you don’t do anything about it?
If you have answered YES to any of these questions, the Lower Back and Sciatica Workshop may be life-changing. Back pain and sciatica can completely ruin your life … I’ve seen it many times. • It can make you lean on shopping carts when walking through the grocery store.
• It can take your focus away from enjoying your life. • It can prevent you spending time with your children or grandchildren. • It can even cause you to lose your job or force you to do a job you don’t want to do. And… • it can take away your ability to live life independently, having to rely on others for basic daily activities. The Lower Back and Sciatica Specialists at the PT DOC Physical Therapy Clinic have helped 1000’s of people right here in Bayside and the rest of Queens and Nassau counties who have suffered needlessly with lower back pain and sciatica.
By request, I’m hosting a Lower Back Pain and Sciatica Workshop on Tuesday, Mar. 25 at 6:00 p.m. at The Physical Therapy Doctor Clinic, located in the Bay Terrace Shopping Center. If you’re looking for answers on how to naturally heal your pain, here’s some of what you’ll learn:
• The 3 Most Common Causes of Lower Back Pain and Sciatica • A Sure-Fire Way to Choose the Right Treatment for What’s Causing Your Pain • How a back problem can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in your leg • Successful treatment and permanent relief options without the side effects of medications, injections, or surgery. • The #1 Worst Food That Increases Your Pain REGISTER NOW for this FREE WORKSHOP!
Call Teresa or Josh, your Patient Care Coordinators, at 718-747-2019 or email info@theptdoctor.com.
212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360 Located in The Bay Terrace Shopping Center
REGISTER NOW for this FREE WORKSHOP! Call Teresa or Josh, your Patient Care Coordinators, at 718-747-2019 or email info@theptdoctor.com.
SPECIAL BONUS: The first 17 people to register will receive a personal copy of the book, “Pain-Free Motion for Your Lower Back; Relief without Medications, Injections, and Surgery.” SPECIAL REPORT: All 25 Sciatica and Lower Back Pain Workshop attendees will receive a copy of our report, “The Top 10 Burning Questions for Sciatica.” Looking forward to seeing you there, —Dr. Robert Morea PT, OCS, MTC Lower Back and Sciatica Specialists, PT DOC Physical Therapy Clinic
P.S . – Call us today at 718-747-2019 and be one of the first 17 registrants who will receive a copy of “Pain-Free Motion for Your Lower Back: Relief without Medications, Injections, and Surgery.”
FREE LOWER BACK PAIN & SCIATICA WORKSHOP Tuesday, Mar. 25, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
PT Doctor Clinic, located in the Bay Terrace Shopping Center Give this coupon to Family and Friends Call 718.747.2019 to register now!
212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360 Located in The Bay Terrace Shopping Center
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