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MONTHLY
FEBRUARY 2020
WWW.VITALCAREREHAB.COM
(623) 544-0300
Being in Business With Your Spouse THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
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. together. In the beginning, we thought we’d work less if we owned our own business — but, of course, that’s not how it works. At the beginning, I went from working 8–10 hours per day as an employee to 12 hours per day plus weekends as the business owner. However, David and I have been able to work our business in a way that lets us accommodate our family. My husband David does what I like to call “all the yucky stuff” associated with running Vital Care PT. While I am out taking care of patients, he’s behind the scenes doing all the administration and marketing. Sometimes I like to joke that we keep him hidden away in the dungeon, but here’s the truth: If it weren’t for David, I wouldn’t have any patients to treat. Before we opened Vital Care PT, David was a real estate agent. But after riding out the 2008 housing crash, he was ready to try something new, and it was his idea to run Vital Care
I’m the early riser of the family, so I have always left the house while everyone else is still sleeping to start working with my first patient at 6 a.m., which has recently changed to 7 a.m. David sleeps in later and takes care of getting the kids up, fed, and ready for school before arriving to work at 9 a.m. Then I leave earlier to be with the kids after school, helping with homework and getting dinner ready. He comes home later just in time to have dinner together as a family. This arrangement is great. It lets us balance kids and work, but we’ve had to negotiate some boundaries. Running a business with my spouse hasn’t always been smooth sailing due to the natural tendency to talk about business all the time. We have had to set rules: No talking about the business after 9 p.m. And when we sit down to dinner with the kids, that’s family time — no business talk. It is much harder to abide by these rules than one would think. To run a business with your husband and still have a husband, not just a business partner, you have to set clear boundaries. When we are planning
on having a meal out, we have to decide and verbalize beforehand if our outing is a business meeting or a date. Otherwise, the business takes over. As a result of establishing and following these guidelines, sharing the management of our business has actually deepened our relationship. I see exactly how hard David is working on both the business and the family side of things, and it makes me appreciate him more. And when the business is going through a tough time and I’m stressed, he’s stressed, too, and we can share that burden together. We get to do everything together — work through the hard times and celebrate our successes. It feels good to pull in the same direction and aim toward the same goals. This year, on Valentine’s Day, I’m grateful to David for being the inspiration for this business, for sharing the work of raising our children, and for rolling up his sleeves and taking care of all the yucky stuff associated with running Vital Care PT. He keeps me right where I want to be — with my patients. –Andrea McWhorter
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The Secret to Living a Longer, Healthier Life CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE?
The human brain is an incredibly powerful organ. It solves complex problems, recalls forgotten memories, and triggers a dizzying array of emotions. But its most incredible power is the effect it can have on the rest of the body. When it comes to love, well, our brains certainly love it, and our bodies reflect that. LESS STRESS Human beings thrive on a sense of connection and belonging, and studies have shown that love actually has positive effects on a person’s physical health as well as mental. The security and commitment felt in a loving relationship are shown to reduce stress by stunting the production of cortisol, the body’s stress-inducing hormone. Less stress means lower blood pressure, a healthier heart, and a lower risk of stroke, especially in men. HEALTHIER IMMUNE SYSTEMS Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that calm, happy people can fight common colds and the flu more easily than those who are anxious or depressed. The physical benefits of love even go as far as healing wounds quicker. Small injuries inflicted on a wide test group at Ohio State University Medical Center healed nearly twice as fast on people who experienced consistent warmth and care than those who experienced hostility. In fact, the latter group needed almost a full additional day to achieve the same amount of healing as the first group. Success Stories
LONGER, HAPPIER LIVES Being surrounded by love may even save your life. A statistic from the National Health Interview Survey states that single people face a 58% higher risk of mortality. Further bolstering that claim is the Harvard Health Blog, which claims happily married participants experience better health as they age when compared to peers in unhappy partnerships. In fact, the blog asserts, “People in stressful, unhappy marriages may be worse off than a single person who is surrounded by supportive and caring friends, family, and loved ones.” So, it seems the results are in: Loving someone is a healthy lifestyle choice. Even having a strong network of friends and family boosts your odds of living a long life by 50%. So, get out there and make the healthy choice for yourself and those around you by leading a life full of love.
OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST
According to the nonprofit Start Standing, 80% of adults will experience back pain in their lifetime. Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and it accounts for 10% of all visits to the doctor. One out of every three people claim that back pain impacts their day-to-day life, and it is one of the most common reasons employees cite for missing work. The direct cost of work missed due to back pain is estimated at around $20 billion. The good news is that if you are suffering from back pain, you are statistically most likely going to recover. Further, according to Start Standing, working with a physical therapist can reduce the expense of treating back pain by 55% as compared to more invasive treatment options.
At Vital Care Physical Therapy, we love helping our patients live pain-free lives. John P., one of our recent patients, says this about our work: “Investing the last four weeks with Andrea has totally eliminated my back pain and discomfort following surgery. Andrea is the greatest. Now the objective is finding an excuse to return.” Back pain is a symptom, not a disease. It’s important to work with a doctor to assess the source of your back pain and develop a plan that will help you get back to living pain-free. Give us a call at (623) 544-0300 to book your appointment today!
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SUDOKU
THE 5 MOST COMMON SHOULDER INJURIES
Shoulder pain is a common affliction, and it can be debilitating. Whether your shoulder pain is chronic or acute, understanding its root cause and working out a care plan are essential steps in reducing or eliminating your discomfort. Here are the five most common shoulder injuries: BURSITIS Bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sacs, called bursa, that act as cushions in the joints and help reduce friction become inflamed. Symptoms of bursitis include pain around the outside or tip of the shoulder, reduced range of motion, and pain when the arm is raised above the shoulders, such as when washing hair. TENDINITIS Tendinitis occurs as a result of an inflamed tendon, and it can be either acute or chronic. Acute tendinitis can result from excessive ball throwing or other overhead activities, like swimming or work- associated repeated motions. Chronic tendinitis is more likely to result from a degenerative disease like arthritis or age-related wear and tear. Symptoms include pain when reaching behind your back, a clicking sound when raising your arm, stiffness, pain, and swelling in the front of your shoulder and the side of your arm. ARTHRITIS The most common expression of arthritis in the shoulder is osteoarthritis, sometimes also called “wear and tear” arthritis. If you’ve ever seen an old dog with stiff hips, chances are osteoarthritis is to blame. Symptoms typically begin in middle age and worsen with time. They include swelling, pain, and stiffness. INSTABILITY Shoulder instability occurs when the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket. This is also known as shoulder dislocation. Symptoms include pain, repeated instances of the shoulder giving out, and a persistent feeling of looseness in the shoulder. ROTATOR CUFF TEARS The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that come together as tendons to hold the shoulder in place, and rotator cuff tears are common in adults. Tendon tears can also result from an acute injury, and tendons can either partially or completely tear. Common symptoms include weakness when lifting or rotating your arm and doing other specific movements.
DATE TRUFFLES
Inspired by The Minimalist Baker
Valentine’s Day is all about love … and chocolate. Enjoy these chocolate peanut butter date truffles with your date this Valentine’s Day.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 lb medjool dates, pitted (about 1 1/2 cups) • 1/2 tsp sea salt • Warm water
• 1/4 cup peanut butter • 1 cup bittersweet or dark chocolate, chopped • 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
DIRECTIONS
1. Using a food processor, blend dates and sea salt until dough can be formed into a ball. Slowly add enough warm water to mixture to thicken dough. 2. Roll dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Freeze for 20–30 minutes. 3. In microwave, warm 1/4 cup peanut butter for 30 seconds, then drizzle peanut butter on top of balls. Freeze balls for another 20 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, in microwave, warm chocolate with coconut oil until melted. Stir well. 5. Coat balls in chocolate and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 6. Top with additional salt and freeze for 30 minutes. Serve at room temperature.
Contact Vital Care Physical Therapy at (623) 544-0300 so we can help you heal today!
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(623) 544-0300 Fax: (623) 544-0239 www.VitalCareRehab.com
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INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
The Truth About Being in Business With Your Spouse PAGE 1
The Effects of Love on Your Physical Health
Beat Back Pain PAGE 2
Date Truffles
The 5 Most Common Shoulder Injuries PAGE 3
Your Epic Adventure Awaits PAGE 4
CREATE YOUR OWN ODYSSEY
Mythical Adventures Await in the Mediterranean
One of the oldest stories in Western literature is Homer’s “The Odyssey.” This epic poem tells the story of Odysseus and his long journey home after the Trojan War. While Odysseus’ travels were fraught with mythical monsters and magic, many of the places he visited are said to be inspired by real islands in the Mediterranean. Even today, travelers flock to these islands looking for peace, adventure, and epic stories of their own. SICILY, ITALY One of the most popular stories in “The Odyssey” is the tale of Odysseus rescuing his crew from Polyphemus, a man-eating Cyclops. It’s said that Polyphemus made his home on what is now modern-day Sicily. Fortunately, there are no Cyclopes in Sicily today; there are only cultural festivals, world-class golf courses, and delicious food. GOZO, MALTA While Odysseus’ journey was perilous, he did enjoy one peaceful stop. Odysseus spent seven years on the mythical island of Ogygia, home of the nymph Calypso. Historians suspect that Ogygia was Gaudos, now modern-day Gozo, Malta. Gozo is home to the Ggantija temples, which are older than the Egyptian pyramids. In addition to exploring
its archaeological marvels, Gozo’s visitors can also enjoy snorkeling, horseback riding, and other memorable adventures.
ITHACA, GREECE If you want to chart your own odyssey, make your final stop Odysseus’ home, the island of Ithaca. Covered in lush greenery and quaint villages, Ithaca is a wonderful place to relax at the end of your trip. Visitors can enjoy their morning coffee by a seaside cafe before lounging on a secluded beach for the rest of the day. It’s no wonder why Odysseus fought so hard to get back to Ithaca!
With dozens of other islands to explore, the Mediterranean is the perfect place to plan your own odyssey — minus the mythical monsters, of course.
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