Take a look at our February newsletter!
Two Convenient Franklin Locations to Serve You 620 Old West Central St. | 340 East Central St., Suite D
FEBRUARY 2023
A Revolutionary Program Is Released Helping Our Patients Help Themselves
February is the month of love and self-care. This month, we don’t only celebrate Valentine’s Day, significant others, and friendships, but we also celebrate you! In honor of showing our appreciation to our patients, we have developed a way to help our patients easily care for themselves! When we were first confronted with COVID-19 three years ago, most doctors’ offices and physical therapy clinics were forced to close their doors immediately for at least 1-2 months. To keep our doors open virtually and safely, we were tasked with figuring out how to develop a telehealth option overnight. In that process, we learned many things. Most importantly, we learned that our clinic and patients benefited from a full- time, high-level telehealth physical therapy doctor on staff. The opportunity to assist our patients using video calls is exponential. We are the only clinic around with a full-time telehealth doctor available to meet and treat our patients virtually, and we continue to develop this program for our patients. In examining this, we began looking into how we can continue enhancing our patient care. Many patients will inquire about a nagging pain or weakness and what they should initially try before coming into the clinic to see a physical therapist. Thus, our self-help journey program was born! It’s artificial intelligence (AI) software sponsored, supported, and developed by doctors of physical therapy that we offer for free to our patients. Patients with minor aches, pain, tightness, or weakness can enter their symptoms and
information on how it occurred, what makes it better, and what makes it worse. The software then works as an algorithm to reveal what is most likely going on and to determine the best starting point toward a remedy. Simple and easy exercises and stretches are recommended, and patients can follow a personalized improvement plan developed by the self-help journey program. At any time during this period, patients can request a virtual consultation with Dr. Ani, our telehealth physical therapist, for $30 without leaving the comfort of their homes — all they need is a laptop and internet connection. No appointment in the office is necessary, and patients don’t need to worry about obtaining a referral or going through their insurance. With these two convenient and helpful methods of helping our patients to help themselves, we hope that they will be able to work through a minor ache or weakness on their own without having to come into the office! However, that doesn’t mean patients cannot and should not make an appointment in the office. During this process, at any time they feel they need the help of an experienced physical therapist, they are encouraged to come into the clinic.
We are here to help in any way we can!
Happy Valentines Day!
–Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz
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www.proptinc.com | 508-794-3639
Your Intellectual Wellness Matters! CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO EXPAND YOUR MIND
How to Foster and Develop Intellectual Wellness
These days, as taking care of our health becomes more important than ever, we hear a lot about our physical wellness and how to improve it using nutritious foods and exercise.
but can be something as simple as cooking a new healthy recipe, learning to draw, or attempting a DIY home repair project. The important part is that mastering something new provides an information- based approach to the world around you. 2. Remove subjectivity. We view every situation with a pre-formed opinion or bias. The truth is our brains are wired this way to streamline thinking, but to be intellectually healthy, we must work hard to push past it. Remove subjectivity by learning a different way to perform a task or challenge yourself to understand (or simply read) the ideas of others. Be objective, even when you disagree with them. 3. Improve your critical thinking. Next time you’re engrossed in conversation, try being thoroughly engaged and think about what is being said. Ask questions to yourself and others, and hash out what you agree with and things you don’t. Work to keep your brain active in everything you do by finding a connection to everything around you.
Intellectual wellness differs from other types of well-being. You need to work hard and challenge yourself to stay intellectually healthy. If you’re looking to improve or nurture your intellectual wellness, here are three ways to do it. 1. Learn a new skill. One of the main components of intellectual wellness is working to acquire more knowledge. This doesn’t need to be physics or engineering
But what about our intellectual wellness?
What is intellectual wellness? The University of New Hampshire defines intellectual wellness as “being open to new ideas, thinking critically, and finding ways to be creative.” Essentially, this means thinking about the world around you with an open mind and putting energy into what you’re thinking, not just allowing your brain to run idly. Signs of healthy intellectual wellness include: • Ability to see an issue from all sides • Purposeful exposure to ideas, beliefs, and people who differ from yourself • Awareness of your core values • Capacity to learn new things
BRINGING PT TO YOU LET’S TALK TELEHEALTH
If you’ve ever been bogged down with a nagging ache, pain, or weakness but are unable to address it in the clinic because you are out of town, feeling under the weather, or can’t fit an appointment into your schedule for several weeks, then you know the difficulty of dealing with the problem alone. You input your symptoms into Google, sift through a dozen potential causes, and do your best to self-diagnose. From there, you look for stretches and exercises that you can do to alleviate the pain. However, just because your cousin displayed the same symptoms and a particular exercise worked for him doesn’t mean it will work for you. In fact, blindly trying out different movements can cause more damage. That’s where our physical therapy telehealth program comes in! Dr. Ani uses advanced technology to connect with patients via video services to evaluate each patient’s mobility,
problem area, flexibility, and pain. It’s a great way to get the help you need from the comfort of your home!
Pro PT offers two different telehealth programs. A virtual
consult is self-pay, not paid through insurance. It costs $30 and is a quicker consultation where guidance is given. Telehealth is insurance-based PT coverage that is used as part of your overall Physical Therapy Plan of Care. It’s convenient. Telehealth cuts out the commute to the office. You won’t need to deal with traffic, long waits in the office waiting room, or the risk of injuring yourself even more. It’s personalized. You can work one-on-one with Dr. Ani to tackle your problem and find a tailored solution. Not only
does Dr. Ani have the technology to diagnose your concern, but he can monitor your recovery too.
It’s successful. When patients receive a personalized health and recovery plan that they can safely do right from the comfort of their living room, they are more likely to stick with the program than if they had to attend countless appointments in the clinic. To take advantage of our telehealth program for just $30 (no insurance or doctor referral necessary), call us today at 508-794-3639. We are always here to help you!
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Relieving Pain Since 1992
Patient of the Month: Consuelo Ryan Millis Food Pantry Consuelo has been a shining star since day one. She is always upbeat, kind and eager to get better. She is very compliant with her home exercise program and listens to all the recommendations that we give her. She has worked hard to improve her shoulder mobility and has been showing great steady progress. She is an avid Boston sports fan who attends lots of games, so it has been fun to get her back to cheering with her hands overhead again! Congratulations Consuelo!
“I chose the Millis Food Pantry because it is important to remember that food insecurity does not end after the holidays. Helping others by donating to a food pantry will help others with the daily struggle of having a meal. We can change the ‘insecurity’ to ‘security’ one donation at a time.” –Consuelo Ryan
Workshops
Introducing the Pro PT Self Help Journey
Celebrate the new year with us and join us for Free Workshops! Prioritize your health, and get 2023 started right!
Recover at your own pace, on your own schedule in the comfort of your own home! The Professional Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine™️ (ProPT) Self Help Journey is a comprehensive physical therapy solution which introduces several options to provide you with best-in-class therapy programs. The self-guided journey includes three methods to receive your customized physical therapy care for that nagging knee pain or shoulder pain that just won’t quit. You can determine the method of care that is most convenient for you, with the knowledge that, regardless of the road you choose, you’ll receive the best that ProPT has to offer. Moreover, because the three components of the program work hand-in-hand with one another, you can transition from one method of treatment to another method at any time.
To sign up for any workshop, call us at 508-794-3639, or scan the QR codes below!
Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff Workshop Saturday, Feb. 11 12:30–1:30 p.m. ProPT West 620 Old West Central St.
Knee Pain Workshop Friday, Feb. 24 5:30–6:30 p.m. ProPT East 340 East Central St., Suite D
For more information, call our office today at 508-794-3639.
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www.proptinc.com | 508-794-3639
620 Old West Central St. Franklin, MA 02038 www.proptinc.com 508-794-3639
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Introducing Our Latest and Greatest
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Intellectual Wellness: What It Is and How to Improve Yours Bringing PT to Your Home
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Patient of the Month Introducing Self Help Journey Upcoming Workshops
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Why Tai Chi Is Perfect for Retirees
A Meditation on Movement The Benefits of Tai Chi for Seniors
Known for its slow, gentle, and simple movements, tai chi is exploding in popularity among adults over 65. Studies have shown significant benefits for all ages, but its accessibility and low impact have made it the martial art of choice among people of retirement age. As a form of exercise, it positively impacts participants’ physical and mental health. Unlike many other martial arts, tai chi does not usually involve physical fighting or attempting to defeat an opponent. It is sometimes referred to as an “internal” martial art or “meditation in motion” due to its focus on developing mental and spiritual strength alongside physical strength. It has much in common with yoga but involves fluid movement instead of static poses. Tai chi draws heavily upon the Chinese philosophy of Taoism, most commonly understood through the yin and yang. Taoism promotes balancing our more feminine and masculine features (yin and yang) to
become peaceful and balanced people. Tai chi aims to help restore that balance through relaxation, exercise, and breathing. You don’t have to accept the philosophical tenets of Taoism to gain benefits from practicing tai chi. Through its use of soft, deliberate movements, it helps many people restore their physical stability and prevent falls in their golden years. And unlike many high-intensity exercises that encourage participants to work through pain to meet goals, tai chi discourages pushing oneself to the limit and encourages people to modify movements to meet their capabilities. The health benefits of tai chi are impressive. Medical research indicates that tai chi can reduce a person’s fall risk by up to 50%. A great deal of evidence also suggests that tai chi can help with arthritis and back pain. Like other exercises, tai chi helps promote weight loss and better sleep. Participants also show
improved cardiovascular health, and people with heart failure, breast cancer, and other conditions see increased overall wellness. Some studies even show that tai chi can improve memory! Those who want to try tai chi for themselves will find many online courses. Watching the videos will help you get a better feel for the martial art, but it’s best to seek a professional before you begin practicing. Look for classes in your area (many senior centers offer them). You’ll receive support, coaching, and company while doing your health a favor.
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Relieving Pain Since 1992
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