Take a look at our December newsletter!
theptdoctor.com
718.747.2019
Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
December 2022
ON THE
MOVE
What Do Jimmy Stewart and PT Have in Common? A RECOVERY LESSON FROM ‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’
One of my all-time favorite Christmas movies is “It’s a Wonderful Life” starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. Yes, it’s in black and white, but the story never gets old! If you haven’t seen “It’s a Wonderful Life,” here’s the gist of it: Stewart plays George Bailey, a very unhappy man who gave up all of his dreams to help other people. Looking back on his life, he feels depressed by how little he has accomplished, and he’s ready to go “lights out” — when his guardian angel intervenes. The angel’s name is Clarence, and he saves George’s life by showing him what the world would look like if he’d never been born. By the end of the movie, George’s whole mindset has changed. He can see that he has accomplished a lot after all. I love this story because it gets right to the heart of universal problems. We’re all guilty of getting caught up in our goals and wants, then
life, but it’s particularly important in PT. When you’re in the middle of recovering from an illness or injury it can be tough to see how much progress you’ve made. Even if you’re at 80% recovery you might feel disappointed, because you want to be at 100%! But you need to look at the big picture. My team and I do our best to point out positive changes you might have missed. Just the other day, I had a conversation with a patient who had a setback in their recovery. They were frustrated because they couldn’t walk as far or move as well as they could during their last visit to the clinic. I could tell they were getting stuck in their negative feelings, so I said, “Hey, you’ve been coming here for a month now. How are you doing compared to this time last month?” A big smile spread over their face. “Oh, I’m much better than a month ago!” they said. Just like that, they realized they were moving in the right direction. Practice makes progress. When you have that mindset, one little setback isn’t such a big deal after all. Life is tricky sometimes. You have to strike a balance between looking back and charging ahead. Fortunately, I think those two things can go together. Reflecting on what you’ve achieved keeps you on the path toward your goals. Can you walk a few steps farther or do a few more reps than you could yesterday? Are you a little more generous or a little more loving than you were last week? When you think about those things regularly, pretty soon the little wins add up to one big win and you can walk away happy. If you don’t take time to celebrate, you could end up like George Bailey — at least until a guardian angel (your PT) shows up to set you straight.
pushing forward without considering the impact we’ve had along the way. It’s great to have goals and strive for them — that’s what physical therapy is all about! But if we only look ahead, we can end up like George Bailey, disappointed in the “little” we’ve achieved. If you want to be happy, you need to stop, turn around, and take a look at how far you’ve come. Those milestones are worth celebrating! This is true in every area of
Happy holidays!
–Dr. Robert Morea
718.747.2019 • THEPTDOCTOR.COM • 1
Published by Newsletter Pro www.NewsletterPro.com
ONE ‘STEP’ AT A TIME PHYSICAL THERAPY IS FOR KIDS, TOO!
When physical therapy comes to mind, your thoughts likely jump to adults with injuries, the elderly, and people recovering from surgical procedures. But, did you know it's for kids, too? Physical therapy is highly beneficial for children suffering from conditions that limit their ability to enjoy life to the fullest. This can include physical impairments that impact their mobility, coordination, quality of movement, balance, age-appropriate gross motor skills, or other medical conditions. If a child’s development is ever affected by an illness, physical therapy can improve a medical condition or injury to enhance their quality of life. It can help them grow and develop with their peers while experiencing fewer mobility barriers. Some common medical diagnoses that may benefit from physical therapy include developmental delay, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hypotonia, spina bifida, and torticollis.
just for kids to enhance their gross motor movement and functional mobility. Most of the equipment resembles toys, and the children are excited to show up for their sessions and interact with the fun and enticing equipment! These items usually include:
• Balance beams • Therapy balls • Hoops • Foam rollers
• Small trampolines • Pediatric scooters • Swings • Fitness rockers
In severe cases involving children with significant movement disorders that limit or prevent walking or sitting, special seating or wheelchairs may be necessary for physical therapy sessions. Keep in mind that physical therapy doesn’t only remedy symptoms of illnesses and medical conditions. Suppose a kid sprains their ankle playing soccer, breaks an arm while learning to ride a bike, or injures their growth plate on the playground. In that case, they may also require physical therapy to assist them in recovering, especially if they underwent surgery! The overarching goal of physical therapy for kids is to keep the experience upbeat, removing any apprehension or fear so they reach developmental milestones or recover from injuries. Most exercises are conducted in a “game” style and usually incorporate the child’s parents for support. To find out more about pediatric physical therapy, the best place to start is to consult with a physical therapist you trust. They will guide you through the process and support you in making the best decision to meet your child’s needs! Remember: Movement is medicine, no matter your age!
Pediatric physical therapy works to limit or correct symptoms of the following conditions:
• Pain • Poor posture
• Abnormal gait patterns • Core weakness • Insufficient balance • Ligament laxity • Asymmetrical movement patterns
• Lack of coordination • Decreased flexibility • Restrictions in range of motion
So, what does physical therapy for kids look like? It’s usually much different than the typical adult PT session — after all, a kid’s work is all play! Physical therapy offices that offer services for children are typically loaded with colorful and appealing exercise and therapy equipment, usually designed
2 • 718.747.2019 • THEPTDOCTOR.COM
Published by Newsletter Pro www.NewsletterPro.com
Exploring the Dangers of Fad Diets
When you hear it's possible to lose 10 pounds in two weeks, it's surely tempting to at least look into the new diet that your friend or coworker is raving about. Desperate to lose weight, millions of people worldwide fall victim to fad diets to achieve quick weight loss. Unfortunately, many of them are dangerous to your health and may fall short of expectations. Certain fad diets may shed some pounds, but in most cases, the results are temporary and can be harmful to your health. Some of the more well-known fad diets include the Baby Food Diet, the Tapeworm Diet, the Fruitarian Diet, and the Cabbage Soup Diet. These diets drastically restrict calories, cut out major food groups, may lack ample (if any) protein, and are not sustainable. We all want a quick fix regarding waist size, but these diets are not worth risking your body. The Baby Food Diet, which allows you to eat a jar of baby food for a few meals a day, drastically restricts calories. You’ll lose weight, but it will send your body into starvation mode, leading it to conserve calories. More notably, once you wean
off this fad diet and return to normal calorie consumption, the scale is likely to creep back up. There’s a reason baby food is for babies! Likely one of the most dangerous diets is the Tapeworm Diet, which directs people to consume a pill that grows an actual tapeworm in their stomach, and the parasite consumes the food and nutrients that are ingested. Banned by the FDA, this diet is hopefully no longer used by people! Some other diets, such as the Fruitarian Diet or Cabbage Soup Diet, involve eating foods from only one food group, which takes the necessary balance out of your diet! When you only eat one type of food, you deny your body other nutrients and essential fatty acids present in other foods. Because fad diets are so restrictive and eliminate many different kinds of food, they can leave you feeling weak, tired, and more prone to illness. The bottom line is fairly simple: If the result of fad diet seems too good to be true, it probably is!
WINTER VEGETABLE SHEPHERD’S PIE
TAKE A BREAK!
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
• 6 1/2 cups potatoes, cut into large chunks • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 onions, sliced • 1 tbsp flour • 2 large carrots, cut into rounds • 1/2 cauliflower, broken into florets • 4 garlic cloves, sliced • 1 sprig rosemary • 15-oz can diced tomatoes plus liquid • 1/2 cup water • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas • Milk, to desired consistency
1. In a pot, boil potatoes until tender. 2. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add carrots, cauliflower, garlic, and rosemary and stir until softened. 3. Pour tomatoes into mix and add water. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes, then remove lid and cook for 15 minutes until thickened. Stir in peas and simmer. 4. Drain and mash potatoes. Stir in milk to desired consistency. 5. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spoon hot vegetable mix into pie dish, then top with mashed potatoes. Bake until top is golden brown.
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
718.747.2019 • THEPTDOCTOR.COM • 3
Published by Newsletter Pro www.NewsletterPro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
718.747.2019
theptdoctor.com 212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360
Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Jimmy Stewart Meets PT 2. Pediatric Physical Therapy 3. The Dangers of Fad Diets
Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie
4. Eliminating Visceral Fat
NOT ALL FAT IS CREATED EQUAL
Did you know that there are two types of fat: subcutaneous and visceral?
The best course of action is to reduce and prevent visceral fat, which can be challenging, as the only true way to eliminate visceral fat and keep it off is through proper diet and exercise. Here are some methods to reduce your risk of harmful effects of excess visceral fat:
Subcutaneous fat is the "pinchable" fat commonly found around your midsection, arms, and legs. Visceral fat, however, wraps around your organs, so it’s much harder to see or even notice. Compared to subcutaneous fat, visceral fat puts you at a higher risk for health complications. Some potential health concerns that can result from excess visceral fat include Alzheimer’s, high cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke. So, how do you measure your visceral fat, and how do you get rid of it? While it’s difficult to measure, costly imaging tests can accurately report just how much visceral fat is hanging around your internal organs. As a cheaper alternative, you can use your body mass index, or BMI, as an indicator of healthy weight ranges and appropriate fat levels based on your body measurements. You can also measure your waist size since visceral fat tends to congregate in your abdominal cavity. According to Medical News Today, if a woman’s waist measures 35 inches or more, she likely is carrying too much visceral fat. The same is true for a man’s waist that measures 40 inches or more.
• Prioritize sleep and ensure that you are getting enough. • Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily (aerobic exercises are especially beneficial). • Consume a healthy and balanced diet consisting of proteins, fruits, and veggies. • Avoid smoking. • Reduce sugary sodas and drinks. • Limit alcohol intake. • Avoid trans fats. • Reduce stress levels. No matter how fit or in shape you are, having some fat on your body is normal and healthy. However, to keep your body healthy and performing its best, reducing visceral fat is essential!
4 • 718.747.2019 • THEPTDOCTOR.COM
Published by Newsletter Pro www.NewsletterPro.com
It’s back! Join us for our new Holiday Bash! When: Wednesday, Dec. 21 2–3:30 p.m. Where: The Physical Therapy Doctor Facility 212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360
R.S.V.P. by Dec. 15!
to helping you and your family and friends in the future. Feel free to bring a friend or two to our holiday party this year, and please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions on getting the results you want and the care you deserve at the PT Doctor clinic. God bless you and have a wonderful holiday season. Hope to see you here. Best regards, –Dr. Robert Morea Don’t miss our Grand Prize Raffle. Win a flat-screen TV!
We will be offering your choice of a chicken or vegetarian sandwich. R.S.V.P. by Dec. 15 and let us know your selections and how many sandwiches you would like. Sandwiches will be packaged for you to eat at home, or you can stay and eat with us here in the clinic. The entire staff will be here to chat with while wearing the craziest holiday sweaters you’ve ever seen! On the reverse side of this paper we have included pictures from Halloween at our clinic for your enjoyment. The annual holiday party is our chance to show you how much we appreciate you entrusting us with your physical therapy needs. It has been our pleasure to serve you in 2022, and we look forward
Halloween 2022
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator