EMBRACEANCIENTARTS TOBOOST YOURRECOVERY
The Benefits of Yoga and PT
of yoga poses can help with pain relief, improve movement, and aid in rehabilitation after an injury or surgery. A 2012 study published in the International Journal of Yoga followed patients undergoing physical therapy after a total knee replacement surgery. The study found that patients experienced greater pain relief, less stiffness, and improved overall function when their therapy sessions included yoga movement postures. In addition to aiding in recovery after surgery, yoga therapy has also been found to help treat musculoskeletal issues. Patients suffering from lower and upper back pain, sciatica, or shoulder, neck, or hip pain have reported pain relief after incorporating yoga therapy into their PT routines. Dr. Loren Fishman, the director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Flushing, New York, is known to prescribe Side Plank pose for scoliosis, Downward-Facing Dog pose for osteoporosis, and Twisted Triangle pose for piriformis syndrome. There have also been reports of yoga benefiting patients with arthritis and children with autism or ADHD. Yoga is not a replacement for physical therapy, but it can provide great benefits to patients when prescribed along with physical therapy.
In the United States, yoga is most commonly viewed as a form of stress relief. While this is certainly a benefit of yoga, the core principles focus on exercising your body and mind through gentle movements. Mobility and flexibility are two primary goals of yoga. In fact, in many ways, this ancient practice falls in line with the modern objectives of physical therapy, and some physical therapists have even instructed their patients to incorporate yoga poses into their PT practice. Though the pop culture image of yoga practice often features folks being able to literally bend over backward, the purpose of real yoga isn’t to fold your body into impossible shapes. Rather, the poses and stretches are meant to help realign your body and mind. This is why the practice is good for both mental focus and musculoskeletal health. In recent years, physical therapists have found that the gentle, low-impact movements
Have a Laugh
Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Who says a loaded potato has to clog your arteries? In this healthy version that serves four, a sweet potato base is topped with fiber- rich bean salsa.
Ingredients
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3/4 tsp salt
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1 tbsp olive oil
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4 medium sweet potatoes
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1/4 cup sour cream
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1 tsp cumin
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1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
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1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
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1 tsp coriander
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2 medium tomatoes, diced
Directions
1. With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes. 3. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside. 4. Add a scoop of sour cream to each potato, garnish with cilantro, and serve!
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