Take a look at our newsletter this month.
MONTHLY
OCTOBER 2019
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Want to Compare First Car Horror Stories?
TO THE VEHICLE I HOPED SOMEONE WOULD STEAL
When I heard that the anniversary of Henry Ford’s first unveiling of the Model T took place this month exactly 111 years ago, I was immediately reminded of the first car I ever owned. To be honest, it was the type of vehicle you don’t ever forget. Early on in my teenage years, my parents informed me that if I wanted a car, it was my responsibility to save up for it. I worked dozens of random jobs, putting away as much money as I could so, when the time came to go get my driver’s license, I’d be ready to buy my first car. Soon after finishing driver’s ed and picking up my license, my dad and I journeyed to a nearby car auction to find one that suited my needs. I had 900 hard-earned dollars burning in my pocket, and I was ready to find the best bang for my buck. I was sitting next to my dad at the auction with the paddle held firmly in my hand when the announcer explained that the next car up for sale was a small
red Yugo. While Yugos are now regarded in the collective American consciousness as perhaps the biggest automotive failure of all time (next to the Ford Pinto), at the time, they had reached their height of popularity. I took one look at that car and knew it wasn’t the one for me. But Dad had other plans. The announcer introduced the car and said it could be purchased for a mere $500. My dad grabbed my paddle and lifted it up, excited about all the money I’d have leftover. It only took one second for the auctioneer to scream “SOLD,” and just like that, I had my first car, and I was less than enthused. It only took one drive for me to see that the Yugo had all sorts of problems. First off, it was too compact, especially for someone as tall as I am. People at school would poke fun at me every day when they’d see me pulling into the parking lot. They always claimed that I looked like a character on the “Flintstones,” using my own long legs to propel that ugly and ancient car down the road. Also, it had no air conditioning and no radio, so I had to put a boombox in the backseat to listen to music and just endure the nearly unbearable heat. The other major issue was that the passenger seat was broken. Whenever I’d accelerate or brake, the seat would shift from front to back and vice versa. The few passengers I allowed in my car knew they were in for a wild ride from the moment I put the car in gear. This car was so bad that my husband (who was just a guy I was dating at the time) refused to believe it was my car the first time he encountered it. We were both working at The Arizona Republic and decided to grab lunch. We walked into the parking garage, and he looked around and asked, “So, where is your car?” I stood next to the Yugo
and pointed. He laughed and said, “There’s no way this is your car.” After opening the door — which I never locked in hopes that someone would steal it — I turned over the ignition. It was only then that he finally believed me. While I had a profound hatred for my first car, it did give me some good memories. One day, all my friends with trucks and SUVs were driving through a shallow lake to get to an island, and I decided to give my Yugo a go at it. It made it across but flooded on the way back. We let it sit and dry out, and it started right up again! For a car with a bad mechanical reputation and a lot of issues, it sure kept working no matter how much I wanted it to sputter out. I drove it all through high school and the first couple of years of college, but it eventually developed a more serious issue. It would stall every time I made a left turn. After one final stall in the middle of a busy college campus during a giant rainstorm, it officially (and finally!) died. While I definitely don’t miss it, I have to admit that my old Yugo certainly built character. It was a car I’ll never forget … no matter how much I want to!
Vital Care Patients ENTER TO WIN Find the misspelled word in this newsletter and call (623) 544-0300 for your chance to win a $10 GIFT CARD! CALL (623) 544-0300 Contest is for past and present Vital Care PT patients only.
–Andrea McWhorter
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THE FREE RADICAL 411
How to Minimize Age-Inducing Atoms
If you’ve ever picked up a health magazine while waiting at the doctor’s office, then you’re probably familiar with the term “free radicals” — at least enough to know that they get a bad rap from doctors and beauticians alike. But what are they, exactly? According to Live Science, free radicals are atoms with unpaired electrons that have split off from oxygen molecules in the body and started to “scavenge” for other electrons to pair with. That wouldn’t be problematic, except that these atoms tend to damage cells, lipids, proteins, and even DNA along the way, and that destruction has serious consequences. As Live Science puts it, “Free radicals are associated with human disease, including cancer, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many others. They also may have a link to aging, which has been defined as a gradual accumulation of free-radical damage.” Unfortunately, it’s impossible to entirely avoid free radicals and the havoc they wreak. The process that forms free radicals, called oxidative stress, can be kick-started by a variety of different substances found in food, water, medicine, and even the air we breathe, according to the Huntington’s Outreach Project for Education at Stanford University. Unsurprisingly, these substances are things already considered unhealthy, like alcohol, exposure to X-rays, ozone, fried food, chemical pesticides, air pollutants, and tobacco smoke. Success Stories “My first week at Vital Care, I thought to myself, ‘There’s no way this is going to work.’ After having a total knee replacement, I struggled to complete any of the exercises the therapists asked because it initially hurt too much to try. As the days went on, I even contemplating quitting because the pain was that bad! Two and a half months later, I’m so glad I stuck with it! “Little by little, I started seeing some progress with every exercise they gave me. I kept track by writing down the repetitions and counts I completed each day, and I used my cell phone to time myself during each exercise. “At Vital Care, Michelle and Amber kept my spirits up and pushed me to keep going. While I was slowly getting better, I reached a major turning point when they asked me to ride a stationary bike. Pushing the bike pedal in a complete circle really tested my knee flexibility and strength. The first time I tried to pedal, I found it really painful, but, with the encouragement of my Vital Care team, I was able to get the pedal around six times that first day. “Then with my continued strengthening and flexibility exercises, I can proudly say that I can now get the bike pedel completely around the circle 129 times with stopping! Because of my team’s support and
That said, there is one molecule that is stable enough to stand up to and reduce free radicals: the antioxidant. According to a study published by Pharmacognosy Reviews, antioxidants can “donate an electron to a rampaging free radical and neutralize it, thus reducing its ability to damage.” Synthetic antioxidants exist but can sometimes have harmful side effects, so scientists advise protecting yourself by avoiding free radical triggers like alcohol, processed foods, and red meat, and ingesting natural antioxidants in the form of berries, stone fruits, olives, onions, garlic, and green and black teas. Herbs and spices like cinnamon, basil, turmeric, and fenugreek can ratchet up your antioxidant levels too. While it can’t guarantee immortality, the right diet can certainly help you stave off aging and disease, so why not start today?
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST
dedication, I am able to do anything I like around the house without struggling through intense pain, and I was even able to go camping with my family this summer! Most importantly though, I was finally given the ‘okay’ to head back to work!
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone at Vital Care. You all taught me to believe in myself.”
–Nancy M.
If you’re feeling like Nancy was — skeptical that you’ll ever be able to complete exercises or even bend down without experiencing extreme pain — we hope reading her story will encourage you to keep pushing forward. Our therapists don’t want you to spend another minute in pain, and we’ll support you from start to finish on this journey of getting your life back! Give us a call at (623) 544-0300 to find out how we can help you today!
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SUDOKU
WHAT DOES EMOTIONAL WELLNESS HAVE TO DO WITH EXERCISE? LET’S REDUCE YOUR STRESS LOAD THIS MONTH
October serves as an important time of year because, in addition to providing you the opportunity to dress up in fun costumes and consume lots of candy, this month is also dedicated to spreading awareness about the importance of emotional wellness. While the U.S. has been taking
positive steps toward reducing the stigma associated with mental health in recent years, the vast majority of the American population still isn’t aware of just how much emotional wellness shapes their life. WHAT IS EMOTIONAL WELLNESS? Health and Counseling Services at UC Davis define emotional wellness as attention dedicated to stress reduction through understanding your emotions and dedicating time to self-care. During these processes, it’s important to be attentive to both positive and negative feelings in order to harness the ability to learn and grow from experiences. Because research shows that Americans are some of the most stressed humans on Earth, spending a little extra time each day focusing on our emotional wellness is not only a great idea but also necessary. EMOTIONAL WELLNESS VS. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Exercise is an effective way to give your emotional health the care it deserves. Because physical activity releases endorphins throughout your body, you’ll find that even a daily walk around the neighborhood can help reduce anxiety and enhance your self- esteem. Furthermore, exercise decreases the number of stress hormones your body releases, works to stave off frustrating colds and illnesses, and promotes a more restful sleep pattern. Here at the office, you’ll often hear Andrea McWhorter encourage anyone and everyone to sneak in at least one type of exercise per day. With all the benefits physical activity offers regarding your emotional state, it’s important to make exercise a priority. CHECK OUT OUR NEXT WORKSHOP! While we know that exercise reduces stress and promotes wellness, if you’re in pain and can’t exercise, you might be feeling double the amount of anxiety. In our quest to provide information regarding human anatomy, pain, and the benefits of physical therapy, we offer a workshop every month. On Oct. 19, we are hosting a rotator cuff and shoulder pain workshop at 10 a.m. in our office. The workshop is FREE, but you need to RSVP. Give us a call at (623) 544-0300 to secure your spot!
VEGAN OOZE SMOOTHIE
Inspired by ForkAndBeans.com
While these smoothies may not be nuclear-flavored — in fact, they’re all-natural and vegan — their neon colors may convince you otherwise. They’re a fun and festive way to get kids to drink their fruits and veggies.
INGREDIENTS
Green Smoothie Ingredients • 8 oz almond or coconut milk • 2 cups fresh spinach
Purple Smoothie Ingredients • 8 oz almond or coconut milk • 1 cup frozen blueberries • 1/2 cup fresh spinach
• 1/2 frozen banana • 1/2 fresh avocado • 2 tbsp hemp seeds • 1 tbsp maple syrup • 1 cup ice
• 1/2 frozen banana • 2 tbsp hemp seeds • 1 tbsp maple syrup • 1 cup ice
DIRECTIONS
1. In a blender, combine all ingredients. 2. Blend on high until smooth. 3. For added fun, serve in beakers and flasks with crazy straws.
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(623) 544-0300 Fax: (623) 544-0239 www.VitalCareRehab.com
14545 W. Grand Ave., #108 Surprise, AZ 85374
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Want to Compare First Car Horror Stories? PAGE 1
Tips for Fighting Free Radicals What Our Clients Are Saying! PAGE 2
Vegan Ooze Smoothie Let’s Reduce Your Stress Load This Month PAGE 3
The Real Legend of Sleepy Hollow PAGE 4
Halloween Celebrations in Sleepy Hollow HAYRIDES AND HEADLESS HORSEMEN
In 1790, a school teacher named Ichabod Crane was riding home alone from a harvest festival in the village of Sleepy Hollow when he encountered a mysterious rider on horseback. Crane, horrified by the horseman’s missing head, turned and ran in the opposite direction. The Headless Horseman gave chase, hurling his own decapitated head at the terrified teacher. Ichabod Crane was never heard from again ... or so goes “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving. This story, first published in 1820, has become a Halloween favorite. The legend is so beloved that in 1997, the village of North Tarrytown, New York, where many events of the story take place, officially changed its name to Sleepy Hollow. Today, the town becomes one big Halloween party during the month of October. Sleepy Hollow is home to many historic landmarks, including the Headless Horseman Bridge and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where Washington Irving himself was laid to rest. Evening lantern tours of the cemetery are a popular attraction, and Irving isn’t the only spooky celebrity buried there. Fans of the Gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows” will be delighted to enter the crypt of famed vampire Barnabas Collins.
faint of heart. During the event, the 300-year-old Philipsburg Manor is transformed into a living nightmare, where vampires, witches, ghouls, and undead soldiers lurk in the shadows. They all serve the dreaded Headless Horseman and are determined to make sure guests don’t leave alive!
But it’s not all scares in Sleepy Hollow. There’s plenty of Halloween fun for all ages. Sleepy Hollow boasts relaxing hayrides, tours of Irving’s home, live readings of famous Halloween stories, performances of a brand-new musical based on Irving’s spooky tale, and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, an incredible exhibition of over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins.
Another highly anticipated stop for many guests is Sleepy Hollow’s premier annual attraction, Horseman’s Hollow, an experience not for the
If you want a real Halloween experience, you can’t go wrong in Sleepy Hollow. Just be careful not to lose your head!
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