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AUGUST 2018
THE SMALL JOYS OF Back-to-School
s we get closer and closer to back-to-school day, the kids are grumbling more and more about the upcoming semester. But, ever the optimist, I actually look forward to the end of summer these days. Not because I don’t enjoy getting some extra time with my family and taking a vacation or two — for those reasons, summer’s one of the best times of the year! — but because it gives us all a chance to get back into our routines. I’m a sucker for the little, ordinary pleasures of the everyday, and the school year offers those in spades. Of course, just as it is for my kids, the end of summer vacation was always a sad time when I was growing up. It’s funny, though — looking back, I was one of those kids that actually enjoyed school, and though I’d complain a bit when
it came time to go back to the classroom, it also came with a ton of benefits. You got a chance to see all your friends again, and sports started back up. I suspect that I liked the fall more than I ever let on back then. It’s no surprise that I’m a physical therapist today, because I was always into those kinds of subjects growing up. Anatomy, physiology, the sciences — I could learn about the minutiae of the human body and its mechanics for hours on end. Back then, I didn’t know I’d be in this career, but it’s funny looking back and realizing how everything adds up and makes sense in the end. Today, my favorite part of back-to- school is probably my kids’ least favorite part: Every morning, as I get up and get ready for work, I get the opportunity to check on everyone who’s still zonked out and gently nudge them awake. During the summer, the kids will sleep in for hours, and those mornings are often pretty quiet, but the school season is a lot livelier. Somehow, my son is usually out the door before 7 a.m. now, but my daughter and I will often have breakfast together, followed by a quick jog with her
and my wife. Honestly, there’s simply no better way to wake up in the morning, even if my daughter would rather sleep until 10 o’clock and miss school altogether. You might say I get a little enjoyment out of their misery — classic morning person behavior! No matter what season it is, I always find a lot to look forward to. Business is good, my family is doing well, and all of us are as happy and healthy as ever. Sometimes it’s nice to take a second and actually take stock of all of this. I’m just grateful to have a job I enjoy doing every day, a family whom I love, and a reason to wake up in the morning, energetic as ever.
-Luke Kron, PT Managing Partne
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WANT TO IMPROVE BRAIN HEALTH? GRAB A SWORD! The Benefits of Open-Skill Sports
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
When most people think of physical therapy, they probably picture someone suffering from pain or injury in their legs, arms, or back. But of course, these aren’t the only areas that can become dysfunctional from trauma or disease. Following a stroke, brain injury, or neurodegeneration from Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis, issues that arise may be as cognitive as they are physical in nature. As a result, it can become difficult to properly form words, swallow, or retain the oral motor control essential for everyday communication. Luckily, physical therapy can help. By targeting specific muscles in the face, mouth, and throat, we can restore normal oral function, allowing patients to communicate with their loved ones, maintain their independence, and avoid 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
It all starts with an initial consultation. During this first meeting, your therapist will determine the precise nature of your problem, go through a few tests with you, and start formulating a path forward. By the end of the session, you and your therapist will be equipped with a comprehensive plan to address your issue for the long haul. Over the next few weeks, you’ll work with your therapist once or twice a week to go through a number of simple exercises. You’ll steadily rebuild strength and restore the function of whatever areas are causing you problems. Eventually, you’ll find yourself able to speak clearly, swallow safely, and get on with your life without worrying about this seemingly minor — but actually quite serious — issue. If you suffer from speech and swallowing problems, don’t suffer in silence. Call Four Corners Health and Rehabilitation at 352-243-4422 today, and let our experts guide you toward a healthy, happy life. 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! 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.”
How Speech Therapy Can Enrich Your Life
the hazards that come with these persistent cognitive challenges.
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HOW TO ACHIEVE A More Restful Night’s Sleep
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.
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 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.
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.
WITH SUDOKU TAKE A BREAK
PARMESAN ROASTED CAULIFLOWER
Cauliflower doesn’t have to be boring! With a little Parmesan cheese and some seasoning, it can pack a punch of flavor that will please even your most vegetable-averse family members.
INGREDIENTS • 1 head cauliflower
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, ideally Parmigiano- Reggiano
• 4 sprigs thyme
• 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
• Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Cut cauliflower into florets. On a large baking sheet, toss cauliflower with onions, thyme, garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Roast for 35–40 minutes, tossing occasionally. 4. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and finish roasting, about 10 minutes longer. 5. Serve while hot.
Solution on page 4
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SUDOKU ANSWERS (PAGE 3)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 3 4 LUKE KRON GETS READY FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON FENCE YOUR WAY TO BETTER BRAIN HEALTH LET SPEECH THERAPY ENRICH YOUR LIFE SLEEP BETTER AND FEEL GREAT PARMESAN ROASTED CAULIFLOWER HAVE YOU PLAYED THE OLDEST GAMES IN THE WORLD?
GAME NIGHT GOES (REALLY) RETRO
THE OLDEST GAMES YOU CAN PLAY TODAY
People
the contrast between karma (destiny) and kama (desire). A dice was rolled to navigate a game board where good virtues, represented by ladders, allowed players to move up on the board, and evil vices, represented by snakes, would drag pieces back down. The phrase “Back to square one” is believed to have originated from this game. Snakes and Ladders made its way to England before being brought over to the United States, where it was introduced as “Chutes and Ladders” by none other than Milton Bradley in 1943. Backgammon A blend of luck and strategy, backgammon originated in the Middle East around 5,000 years ago. Possibly an evolution of the ancient Mesopotamian game, the Royal Game of Ur, backgammon has players take turns rolling the dice to move their pieces off the board while trying to outsmart their opponent. Backgammon
grew in popularity, spreading from the Middle East to the rest of the ancient world, and is still played by many today. Go Originating in China around the 5th century B.C., Go — or “weiqi,” as it’s called in China — focuses on the virtues of balance, discipline, and focus. Two players go head-to-head, placing their pieces on the board to claim as much territory as possible while simultaneously capturing their opponent’s pieces. Go is likely the oldest board game still being played today, with an estimated 40 million players worldwide. Though the rules are simple, the strategies take a lifetime to master. These are a just a few games that people have been playing around the world for centuries. If you’re ready to add something new to family game night, try something old instead!
love to play games. When you play Angry Birds while waiting in line at the
grocery store, you are actually participating in a long history of gaming that dates back to the earliest civilizations. Through
the discovery of ancient game boards, archaeologists learned that the ancient Egyptians played a game called Senet in 3500 B.C. The rules were lost to time, but fortunately, there are plenty of other ancient games we still have the rules for! Snakes and Ladders Sometime during the 2nd century A.D., people in India started playing a board game associated with aspects of traditional Hindu philosophy — namely,
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