December 2017
ThankYou for Your Referrals High-fives to all of the people who referred someone! CRAFTON-INGRAM SHOPPING CENTER 37 FOSTER AVE. PITTSBURGH, PA 15205 TWO LOCATIONS: KENMAWR PLAZA 566 PINE HOLLOW RD. MCKEES ROCKS, PA 15136
THE GREATEST GIFT
We truly appreciate your referrals. They are the greatest compliment we can get. Someone recently asked me, “What’s the greatest gift you’ve ever given or received?” I’m sure if I were to ask you, you’d have a compelling answer. For me, the answer is obvious: an engagement ring. Tamara and I had been dating for seven years. That’s a long time, so even though we knew we wanted to spend our lives together, it couldn’t have been a bigger surprise to Tamara. Every Christmas Eve, my family throws a huge Italian Christmas party, known as the “Feast of the Seven Fishes.” I told everyone the plan, then waited for Tamara to get off work. She was a nurse at the time and had to work pretty crazy hours. I said it in last year’s December issue and I’ll say it again: Christmas is my favorite holiday. It’s steeped in tradition, joy, and the best parts of parenthood. Since my kids were little, I’ve taken great pleasure in making the holiday as special as I can for them. Christmas has changed over the years, but some things are the same. I go overboard on the decorations (four Christmas trees!), and every Christmas Eve we make cookies together. The aroma that fills the house is almost a better reward than the cookies themselves. After the kids go to bed, I set up the camcorder so we can capture their faces when they come down the stairs. I guess you could say I went all-out. I told her beforehand she needed to leave work in time because I was planning a special dinner. When she got home, a limo picked us up and took us to a fancy restaurant. The meal was lovely. Then I took Tamara to the Festival of Lights in Oglebay. If you’ve never been, I recommend it; it’s beautiful. I waited until we were in a lovely, secluded spot, and then I took her hand and got down on one knee. The funny thing is — and this is my favorite part of the whole story — she thought I was
Walpurga Allen Shirley Richards Ron and Cathy Sidun Thomas Kocis Dr. Terence Philbin
Tiffany Stiegel Katelyn Miller Shannon Teeters Darlene Hanis Jim and Kathleen Treemarchi George Hertrich Barbara Wilson Dr. Mark Wilson Niehoff Family
joking. We’d dated for a long time and were so comfortable together that she didn’t even conceive of the possibility that I would propose anytime soon. She kept checking the ring to make sure it was real. It was, and she said yes. I took her back to my family’s party where everyone was waiting. They greeted us outside, welcoming us with cheers and well wishes, and we commenced our big party. Christmas Eve is wonderful with our kids, but that holiday will always go down as one of the most special. That was 20 years ago. If I could go back in time to relive that special night, I would. But, honestly, if I had to choose, I might relive one of the first Christmases with my kids. Now that they’re 12 and 15, they love the holiday, but the sheer awe has dulled as they’ve gotten older. They still have fun and I love watching them. But nothing beats the way a young child’s eyes get big when they come down the stairs on Christmas morning. From me, my family, and everyone at Hess Physical Therapy, we wish you a happy and safe Christmas and a prosperous New Year! – George Hess
We truly appreciate your referrals. They are the greatest compliment we can get. ENTER TOWIN! Find the misspelled word in this newsletter and call 412-771-1055* for your chance to win a $10 gift card! CALL 412-771-1055 *CONTEST FOR PAST AND PRESENT HESS PHYSICAL THERAPY PATIENTS ONLY. CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST
MONTH’S WINNERS: FLORA CARPOLOTTI LITA FUZE GERALD MILLBAUER SHARON LEWIS
Kenmawr Plaza • 412-771-1055 | Crafton-Ingram Shopping Center • 412-458-3445 | 1
SANTA TRACKING GOES HIGH-TECH
It’s almost Christmas, and if you have small kids, you know what that means: prepping for the arrival of a jolly man in a red suit and his confusingly named reindeer. Some of us may remember spending Christmas Eve curled on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa as radio reports tracked Santa’s trip around the globe. But these days, kiddos have gotten a little more high-tech in their search for up-to-date, GPS-driven Kringle updates. First, there’s the Google Santa Tracker (santatracker.google.com), a full-fledged holiday hub for your browser powered by Google Maps, including, of course, an up-to-the-minute GPS tracker for the big man. The application arrived in 2004, and it’s been updated every year since. During the countdown to Christmas, there’s a colorfully animated advent calendar of sorts, where buildings around Santa’s village “thaw out” and reveal a host of fun games and activities. There’s even a section titled “Santa Tracker for Educators,” which includes kid-friendly coding games, information on international holiday traditions, and a translation app to “learn the Santa lingo from around the world.”
When the eve of the big day finally comes, Google promises a showcase of Santa’s “dashboard, the technology that powers his sleigh during his around-the-world journey.” Featuring “the latest and greatest … in sleigh engineering,” the app displays a Google Maps window that tracks each of Santa’s stops, gives status updates from Old Saint Nick, and tells kids how far he is from their city. It’s a colorful, fun adventure for the whole family. Of course, Google’s not the only kid on the Santa-tracking block. There’s also NORAD Tracks Santa, operated by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the same organization that
up to Christmas. But unlike Google, NORAD has a dedicated Santa-tracking app for your phone, where you can see a 3-D view of Santa’s location during his trip. The app also features videos, so you and your little ones can see clips of Santa flying around major landmarks and world cities. Just don’t stay up too late watching them. You don’t want Santa to skip over your house!
tracks nuclear missiles for the government. Similar to Google, noradsanta. org includes a variety of fun games and activities leading
DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT! HEAR FROM OUR PATIENTS THEMSELVES! “At Hess Physical Therapy, the staff is very professional, very well-qualified,
“My entire experience here, from coming through the front door to contact with all the staff, has been very professional and friendly. I have and will recommend family, friends, and anyone else to come here for PT. I had no down time, and all my sessions have gone well and been completed in a timely manner. If and when I need PT in the future, I will not hesitate to come back to Hess Physical Therapy. My therapist’s assessment of my pain and condition was spot on, and Amber changed exercises and treatment per my progression, or lack thereof, by asking questions and listening to me!”
so it is always bound to be a good experience, helping one to achieve their goals! My goal has been to get stronger to perform my everyday activities — chores, shopping, etc. I believe I am on my way to achieving these goals, and Jessica has created a routine I can do at home five days a week and a strengthening program on alternate days, so I can maintain what I have achieved! Jessica has been able
to adjust the exercises to fit my ability to do them, always having alternate choices to work the same muscles. Jessica is a qualified physical therapist! Thank you all at Hess PT for another great PT experience!”
–William Roy
–Marjorie Schaefer
2 | Kenmawr Plaza 566 Pine Hollow Rd., McKees Rocks, PA 15136 • Crafton-Ingram Shopping Center 37 Foster Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15205
HAVEYOU TRIED PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR DIABETES?
EASY HOLIDAY PARTY CHEESE FONDUE
INGREDIENTS
• ¾ cup dry white wine • 1 tablespoon cornstarch • 1 (8-ounce) package sliced Swiss cheese
• 1 clove garlic • Salt to taste • Foods to dip (apple slices, bread cubes, roasted vegetables, etc.)
INSTRUCTIONS
Diabetes is a condition where either the body does not produce enough insulin, or the cells in the body do not react normally to insulin. When either of these conditions occurs, it causes levels of glucose in the blood to become too high, which can lead to health problems. Physical activity and exercise are important and effective in lowering high blood glucose levels, and physical therapists can help people with diabetes improve or avoid related problems. They can also teach sedentary people how to increase their daily physical activity in safe, effective, and enjoyable ways. Individuals with diabetes are at risk of complications like heart disease, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, eye disease, kidney disease, nervous system disease, peripheral vascular disease, skin issues, cell death, amputations, and premature death. Once someone has been diagnosed by a physician, a physical therapist can evaluate their symptoms and the physical problems associated with the condition and provide individual, specialized treatments. Physical therapy for diabetes is meant to help those with the disease participate in safe, effective exercise programs to improve their ability to move, perform daily tasks, reduce pain, and lower blood glucose levels. After a physical therapist reviews an individual’s blood glucose record and examines them for skin wounds, the therapist will then conduct an assessment of the individual’s strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance. The physical therapist will then choose specific activities, treatments, exercises, and stretches to help restore normal movement, strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, coordination, pain levels, and healthy blood glucose levels. The therapist will also discuss activity goals and prescribe at-home exercises to speed up recovery. Diabetes is a condition with many serious complications. However, physical therapy can reduce those complications while simultaneously improving physical fitness and lowering blood glucose levels. Talk to your physical therapist about diabetes treatment today.
1. In a large bowl, whisk together wine and cornstarch. 2. Chop cheese slices into small, uniform pieces. 3. Rub clove of garlick all over the sides and bottom of a heavy- bottomed pot, then discard. 4. Heat wine mixture over medium-low heat in the pot until thick and bubbling. Add some cheese and slowly whisk. When nearly smooth, add more cheese and whisk gently. Repeat until all cheese is melted. If mixture seems too tight, add 1 tablespoon wine. 5. Season with salt and serve immediately. Keep pot on low heat to keep the fondue dippable.
(Recipe inspired by PinchofYum.com.)
“I came to Hess Physical Therapy barely able to do anything. The PTs worked with me every day and actually put forth the effort in attempting to get me back to 100 percent, and I appreciate the time they put into working with me while also making me feel like I was a friend and not just a patient. It is now my last day, and I can almost completely bend my knee and am now able to jump a little and run again. My knee feels incredible compared to when I started and I have the PTs to thank! So thank you Sean, Tessa, Markela, and Diane for all the help you have given me! I don’t know where I would be without the staff at Hess Physical Therapy!”
–Dalton Link PERFECT ATTENDANCE WINNER!
Congratulations to Rayna Stevenson , winner of our monthly drawing for patients who make all of their scheduled visits. Congratulations, Rayna! Enter to win!
Kenmawr Plaza • 412-771-1055 | Crafton-Ingram Shopping Center • 412-458-3445 | 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
KENMAWR PLAZA 566 PINE HOLLOW RD., MCKEES ROCKS, PA 15136
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
The Greatest Gift I’ve Ever Given
Page 1
Santa Tracking Goes High-Tech
Page 2
Patient Testimonials
Page 2
Easy Holiday Party Cheese Fondue
Page 3
Physical Therapy for Diabetes Treatment
Page 3
The Evolution of a Christmas Icon
Page 4
THE ORIGIN OF SANTA CLAUS
OTHER LOCATION: CRAFTON-INGRAM SHOPPING CENTER 37 FOSTER AVE., PITTSBURGH, PA 15205
Santa Claus wasn’t always a husky, omniscient gift-giver who circumnavigates the world once a year, propelled by flying caribou and backed by an army of friendly elves.
his generosity. The most famous tale of his charity involved a poor
century, the respect that many Catholic saints received diminished, and his popularity dwindled across Europe. One area where he remained popular was the Netherlands. There, he lived on as “Sinterklaas,” a mythical figure who went house to house on the eve of St. Nicholas’s nameday, December 5, leaving treats and gifts for children. Sinterklaas traditionally wore red bishop’s clothes and employed elves, and he traveled with horses that could walk across rooftops. When the Dutch emigrated in droves to America during the 17th and 18th centuries, they brought this kindly icon to the new colonies. Over time, notably through Clement Moore’s 1822 poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” and a famous 1930s depiction by Coca-Cola ad illustrator Haddon Sundblom, Santa evolved into the figure we see today.
man who could not afford a proper dowry to marry off
his three daughters. In those days, this generally meant the daughters would remain unmarried, making it likely that they’d fall
Though the historical St. Nicholas had many of the same generous tendencies as our contemporary “King in the North,” he lacked a high-tech sleigh that could exceed the speed of light. To be exact, St. Nicholas was a renowned Bishop of Myra — an old Roman town near modern-day Demre, Turkey — way back around A.D. 300.
into prostitution. Wanting to help, but also wanting to spare the family
embarrassment, St. Nicholas traveled to the house at night and threw three purses packed with gold coins through the window.
After his death, St. Nicholas
became a beloved patron saint, but during the Protestant
Even before he became the bishop, St. Nicholas was known for
Reformation of the 16th
4 | Kenmawr Plaza 566 Pine Hollow Rd., McKees Rocks, PA 15136 • Crafton-Ingram Shopping Center 37 Foster Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15205
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker