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MONTHLY
DECEMBER 2019
WWW.VITALCAREREHAB.COM
(623) 544-0300
Gearing Up for Seasonal Celebrations WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND FESTIVITIES
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. To give you an idea of how busy our December is, we spend the entire Thanksgiving weekend untangling Christmas lights and mapping out elaborate plans to be one of the top contenders for best-decorated house in our neighborhood. I have to say, I’m immensely proud of our family effort. Then, after we get Thanksgiving out of the way, the real holiday marathon of December finally begins. With each passing year, life seems to move faster, doesn’t it? Here at Vital Care, we’re working hard to keep up with all our patients, but even at home, my life is a whirlwind of family activities. To some, the holiday season is the perfect time to slow down and relax, and, while I’m definitely looking forward to the holidays, it’s not because we plan on taking it easy. In fact, my family and I pick up the pace and make the absolute most of the holiday season.
This month, we will either be hosting or attending a party every single weekend. Vital Care will have its annual holiday party the first week of December, then my family and I will attend a number of celebrations hosted by friends, family, volleyball teams, and schools over the remaining weeks. We’ll be constantly cooking, decorating, wrapping, traveling, and merrymaking, and while we’ll be exhausted, we’ll cherish the time we spend with our loved ones. On Christmas Eve, my grandma makes a strawberry birthday cake and our family sings “Happy Birthday to Jesus”. All the kids blow out the Birthday candles to remind us of what we are actually celebrating. All the festivities culminate on Christmas Day. Our tradition is simple but meaningful. Each child gets a chair that’s placed in the middle of the living room. On that chair, unwrapped, is their big gift from Santa. Next to the chair, is each child’s stocking, stuffed full of small trinkets. Then, strategically organized around each chair, are the wrapped gifts from friends and family. We allow our kids to sneak downstairs and dig into their stockings while the rest of us are still sleeping, but they aren’t allowed to touch any wrapped gifts and can only look at their big gift from Santa. They have to wait until the rest of the family rolls out of bed, has a cup of coffee in hand, a comfy spot on the sofa, and a camera within reach before they can dig in. I’ve worried that as they get older, my kids will no longer find the same thrill in our simple tradition. They’re teenagers now, and I’ve heard plenty of stories of kids at their age having less enthusiasm for family festivities. But every year, without fail, they’re still so excited to participate in everything we do. My kids remind me why we
keep our Christmas calendar filled to the brim with events. They’re as thrilled as I am to keep our traditions alive by making the most of the season until the very last days of the year. We participate in a lot of festivities during the holiday season, and there’s something magical about being swept up into the thrill of it all. I’ve realized that, amid the hustle and bustle, there are moments when you can slow down and reflect on the joyful parts of the holiday. They’re inside the moments when a longtime friend wraps you in a warm, welcoming hug at your third party of the week, or when you’re reminded of your favorite relative as you try to perfect their treasured holiday recipe. It’s inside that moment when your child’s face lights up as they unwrap the gift they’ve been waiting for all year. I always look forward to our hectic holiday schedule, but these slow, meaningful moments are what I truly cherish most about the season.
–Andrea McWhorter
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Share Your Wisdom in a Memoir DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL?
The urge to leave behind a legacy is an inherent human instinct. Whether you accomplish this by raising children, building a successful company, or starting a charitable organization, the desire to share your wisdom should not go unfulfilled. If none of these options work for your lifestyle, writing a memoir may be a good option. A memoir not only tells your story but also passes on the wisdom you’ve gained from your many experiences and offers a unique perspective to inspire future generations. Writing can be a therapeutic exercise at a time when your life may be changing due to retirement or your kids growing up and leaving the house. And because personal reflection is a natural occurrence with age, writing a memoir can be the perfect way to spend your time. As you gain enough distance from life events to grow useful perspectives, the stage is set for self-discovery and transformation. Even more so, your life experiences can give valuable insights to readers of all ages and circumstances. That’s why biographies and memoirs are such popular genres — reading about real people helps others understand the world and how they can live in it. To get started, pick a theme. Ask yourself these questions, “What message do I want to leave with my readers? What do I want them to feel or understand by reading my words?” From there, select anecdotes Success Stories Vital Care has a successful history of treating an array of injuries and levels of discomfort, and we also make sure to equip our clients with the knowledge they need to maintain their wellness and keep their pain at bay. We believe that great treatment starts with us and ends with you. Here’s what Susan D. had to say about her experience with Vital Care. “I came to Vital Care for several problems in the last year — a back injury and shoulder pain. I was able to strengthen my core muscles, and, after back surgery, I completed physical therapy with Vital Care and got my back mobility fully functional again. My shoulder is considerably better and much stronger, and I feel confident I know the exercises I need to do to maintain shoulder mobility. The staff at Vital Care is extremely personable, knowledgeable, and professional! I always enjoyed my physical therapy sessions and will come back again for any further physical therapy needs! I highly recommend Vital Care.”
that support your theme. Make sure they’re clear and cohesive. Then, write like you would a fictional novel or story. Show, don’t tell, and keep readers invested by having a narrative arc, whether it flows chronologically or jumps back and forth in time. Remember, this is not a time to air dirty laundry; it’s a time to reflect, grow, and share your experiences with the world.
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST
– Susan D.
If you’re suffering from an injury or chronic pain that you’re ready to turn around, make an appointment with one of our physical therapists by calling (623) 544-0300. We’d love to help you make your life a little more pain-free.
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SUDOKU
MIGHT BE THE WAY YOU SHOULDN’T THE WAY YOU MOVE
Old habits die hard, but if you’re experiencing bone or muscle pain you can’t explain, it might be due to positional habits you’ve formed over the years. Here are a few major ones to be aware of and suggestions for breaking them.
DRIVING
Many people are quick to adjust their seats, but the headrest is often overlooked. If it’s not adjusted properly, not only does it allow for dangerous whiplash in a crash, but it also causes stress to your neck while driving. It should be adjusted so the bulk of the headrest stands directly behind your head, at ear level. This way you can comfortably rest your head and keep your spine straight while driving, instead of hunching your body toward the steering wheel. A good night’s rest is important for everyone. But the position you’re sleeping in may be doing you more harm than good. Sleeping on your stomach impairs the natural curve of your neck and lower back, which can lead to stiffness and pain. If you’re a side-sleeper, twisting or crossing your legs overworks your back and hips, causing discomfort. Instead, try resting a pillow between your knees. If you move to your back, place a pillow under your thighs for extra comfort. Texting is so detrimental to the body that issues associated with it have resulted in a nickname: text neck. Flexing your neck to look down while you type on your phone increases the forces on your neck, leading to changes in vertebrae, degeneration of discs, bone spurs, and even muscle dysfunction. So take breaks when you can, and hold your phone at eye level rather than craning your neck to look down at it. At Vital Care, we take every ailment seriously, no matter the cause or discomfort level. If you or a loved one is suffering from muscle or bone pain, give us a call at (623) 544-0300 so we can schedule a time to get you taken care of. SLEEPING TEXTING
CRANBERRY GINGERBREAD
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup canola oil, plus more for greasing • 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar • 2 large eggs • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated • 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 tsp ground cloves • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. Greese a loaf pan with canola oil.
3. In a large mixing bowl, mix together 1/2 cup canola oil, molasses, brown sugar, eggs, ginger, and cranberries. In a separate bowl, sift and combine flour with baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until blended. 4. Scrape batter into loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes. 5. Transfer to a rack, let cool for 20 minutes, slice, and serve.
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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
Our Hectic Holidays PAGE 1
Tell Your Story and Share Your Wisdom Here’s What Our Clients Are Saying! PAGE 2 Cranberry Gingerbread Everyday Actions That Are Causing You Pain PAGE 3
Yurts: Glamping at Its Finest PAGE 4
Glamping in Beautiful Locations YURT SWEET YURT
The allure of the great outdoors calls to many, but pitching a tent and cooking over a fire isn’t for everyone. If that describes you, consider the yurt: a small, permanent structure often outfitted with electricity, plumbing, and other modern amenities. Expertly nestled in remote locations, they provide comforts of home in the midst of nature. Here are just a few around the United States available for rent. TREEBONES RESORT, CALIFORNIA For those new to the glamping scene, this is a great choice for an easy transition. With picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, the Treebones Resort in Big Sur has an array of spaciously comfortable yurts to choose from. The resort has heated pools, a cozy lodge, and even a sushi bar. About an hour up the coastline, you can find a few shops, restaurants, and art galleries if you decide you’ve gotten your dose of nature for the day. SPRUCE HOLE YURT, COLORADO Nestled in the San Juan Mountains about 10 miles north of New Mexico, this yurt is a snow-lover’s paradise. Skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking trails are plentiful in this backcountry location. At the end of a chilly day, come
home to comfy beds, cooking supplies, and decor made to feel like you’re camping — but with sturdy walls to keep out the cold.
FALLS BROOK YURTS, NEW YORK For the glampers who truly want to get away, hike just under 1 mile into the woods of the Adirondack Mountains to discover rustic yurts beckoning you to cook over a fire or bundle up with a book. At night, the yurt’s domed skylight offers excellent stargazing. For those keen on winter activities, skiing and snowshoeing trails start right outside the front door. In the summer, enjoy hiking, fishing, and swimming.
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