Thomas Physical Therapy - July 2018

THE THOMAS TIMES

JULY 2018

Randy’s Ramblings

SIMPLY START

What can we do to regain control of our bodies and start the process of becoming healthier and happier? START SIMPLY, or SIMPLY START! We often decide to start an exercise program, but then overwhelm ourselves with our demands and torture ourselves with deprivation. When we fail to keep our commitments, we don’t feel good about ourselves. Set yourself up for success! Your primary goal for the first three months of an exercise program should be to develop enjoyment of the process. If you don’t accomplish this goal, your program will eventually fall by the way side and all your actions will be for naught. Set a goal to exercise for 5–10 minutes, five days a week. The hardest part of an exercise session is the first five minutes — getting started. Chances are, when you’ve done the first five minutes you will think, “That was easy,” and choose to do more. If not, at least you’ve kept your commitment to yourself. This pattern of success will start to change your self- image, and

Every American knows that the Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 — it’s also called Independence Day, after all. The story behind the document, however, gets less attention than it deserves. It’s a fascinating tale, culminating with the birth of the United States of America as we know it. THE ROAD TO DECLARATION Even after the early battles of the American Revolution, which began in earnest during April of 1775, it was unclear what shape the rebellion would take. At that point, independence was still far from certain. As the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia in May of that year, two groups formed around polar opinions. “The fundamental issue between them was were they fighting for their rights as Englishmen within the British Empire, or were they going to fight for independence?” says historian Richard Slotkin. It was not an easy choice, and both sides held passionate opinions. As the calendar changed to 1776, those in favor of breaking from King George III began to gain momentum. The growth of the revolutionary movement had a number of causes, but two in particular stand out. In late 1775, King George III spoke to Parliament with the goal of enlarging the Royal Army and Navy to quash the rebellion. He went so far as to solicit help from foreign mercenaries. Word of this decision reached the colonies in January 1776, making reconciliation seem less likely than ever before. During the same month, Thomas Paine published his famous pamphlet “Common Sense,” which advocated for outright independence. “The custom of all Courts is against us, and will be so, until by an independence we take rank with other nations,” Paine wrote. “Common WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT The Story of the Declaration of Independence

you will begin to see yourself as a person who exercises regularly

and honors their body.

-Randy Thomas

Continued on page 2 ...

386-257-2672 • 1

... continued from cover

Sense”was wildly popular, selling more than 150,000 copies in its first weeks of publication, and created a groundswell of colonist support for independence. DRAFTING THE DOCUMENT Once a route forward was agreed upon, Congress set about drafting a formal document to dissolve all ties with Great Britain. They assigned a group of five congressmen, now known as the Committee of Five, to begin work on what would become the Declaration of Independence. That group comprised John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Most people believed that Adams, one of the earliest supporters of revolution, should be the man to pen the document. Adams, on the other hand, was insistent that Jefferson was the man for the job. Not much is known about how Jefferson wrote the document, but we are certain that he presented it to Congress on June 28, 1776. The original draft was heavily revised

over the next few days with input from all Congress members. This revision process coincided with convincing the final holdout states to move toward independence. By July 2, independence had been decided, with 12 states voting in favor, one absenting, and zero against. Jefferson thought that July 2 would become a national holiday as a result of this vote. Turns out he was two days off. That’s because two days later, the final text of the Declaration was approved and sent to the printer, and this event became the moment synonymous with the birth of our nation. THE POWER OF THE PROSE “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

While this remarkable passage is the one everyone remembers, it’s only a small portion of the Declaration. Structurally, the text proceeds like a classic example of a rhetorical argument. It begins by proposing that if a government is oppressive and unjust, it should be overthrown. Then, it lists the ways the British government has been unjust to its colonial citizens. Finally, it concludes that because of these grievances, it is time for the U.S. to establish a government of its own. It’s also a literary achievement, full of timeless sentences that are as compelling to read today as when they were written. Somehow, the text achieves both clarity of argument and an overflow of emotion. It was so powerful that it stirred revolutionary emotions across the world, most notably in France. This Fourth of July, why not take the time to read the Declaration of Independence? It’s something few U.S. citizens do, and you’ll likely find it about as awe-inspiring as the biggest display of fireworks you can imagine.

–The Declaration of Independence

Lies You’ve Been Told Fiction That Holds Too Much Weight

YOU USE ONLY 10 PERCENT OF YOUR BRAIN

Fallacies are fed to us on a daily basis, and some are more believable than others. Here are a few popular misconceptions. CRACKING YOUR KNUCKLES WILL CAUSE ARTHRITIS Studies show that there aren’t any dangers to cracking your knuckles, besides annoying someone with the noise. For a long time, many speculated that the cause of the cracking or popping noise was either the resetting of joints and tendons or the formation of fluid that lubricates the joints. Dr. Donald Unger was the first person to conduct an experiment with the hypothesis that cracking your knuckles doesn’t lead to arthritis. He cracked only the knuckles in his left hand for over 50 years. Later in life, both hands were arthritis-free. YOU EAT SPIDERS WHILE YOU SLEEP You may have heard this chilling myth before, but it’s simply not true. Spiders are very sensitive to vibrations — they won’t willingly approach a breathing or snoring human. It isn’t in our eight-legged friends’ nature to crawl into a person’s mouth.

Your brain is constantly in use. Every single action you perform, including digestion, coughing, speaking, thinking, and breathing, are all carried out by processes in the brain. There are levels of consciousness that cause parts of your brain to be less active than others, but there isn’t one singular area that ceases to work for any long period of time. THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA IS VISIBLE FROM SPACE While the size of the Great Wall is truly spectacular, that doesn’t mean it can be seen from outer space. It’s not at all visible from the moon, and even from low orbit, it’s difficult to spot the wall with an unaided eye. According to NASA, the theory was first shaken by Yang Liwei, a Chinese astronaut, who said he was unable to see the Great Wall from space. Later, a camera with a 180 mm lens and a 400 mm lens captured the wall from a low orbit.

2 • www.ThomasPhysicalTherapy.com

These Malls Were Made for Walking The Exercise Venue That Will Keep You Cool and Fit

REST STOPS ABOUND

If you’re young at heart and looking to stay (or get) in shape this summer, consider taking a trip to the mall. No, not to pick up some hot new exercise product or dietary supplement, but to walk a few laps. Safe and convenient, “mall walking” has become one of the biggest trends in senior fitness. COOL IN THE SUMMER, WARM IN THE WINTER This time of year, heatstroke can be a real concern when exercising outside. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a homebody. Because malls are spacious and climate-controlled, they make great year-round walking venues, especially when summer temperatures spike. You don’t even need to put on sunscreen!

While the average American shopping center isn’t as scenic as the Appalachian Trail, they are far more convenient. Replete with bathrooms, cool drinking water, and plenty of benches, the mall lets you focus on exercising and removes all of the “what ifs” that come with aging. Most malls are also outfitted with EMT kits in the event of a medical emergency. SQUEEZE IN SOME SHOPPING It is still a mall, after all. Why not check a few items off your shopping list or reward yourself with a new pair of sneakers? Getting things done as you exercise makes the experience that much more rewarding. Just remember not to overdo it. Carrying too many shopping bags can place undue stress on your back — and your wallet. YOUWON’T BE ALONE Today, malls are the second-most popular places to walk in America, after neighborhoods. Mall walking has become so big that many communities and senior living centers have put together official groups to stride together. Your local mall may already open early to accommodate walkers. So if you’re looking to make friends in an active, fun-loving community, do some research. Chances are there’s a mall-walking club near you!

Clinic/ Workshop Upcoming Workshops MARK YOUR CALENDAR We have a summer full of workshops and clinics that are open to you! Call today to reserve your spot 386-257-2672

CHARRED CHILI-CHEESE CORN

You’ll find all of the flavors of elote, Mexican street corn, in this dish, without any of the mess. It’s the rare side that can outshine any main course.

Clinic/ Workshop

Ingredients

Date

PT

• •

4 ears of corn, husked

1/2 red chili (such as Freson) or jalapeño, thinly sliced

July 12

Neck Pain & Headache

Cheryl Wynn, DPT

4 tablespoons high-smoke- point oil, such as canola or vegetable

• •

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

July 19

Core Strengthening

Sarah Thomas, PT

2 ounces fresh cotija cheese (or feta), crumbled

1 large shallot, thinly sliced

• •

1/4 cup cilantro

August 21

Osteoporosis

Cheryl Wynn, DPT

Directions

Salt and pepper, to taste

August 28

Shoulder Pain

Randy Thomas, PT Sarah Thomas, PT & Krista Ghaffarian Oakes, RT

1. Heat grill to medium. 2. Brush corn with 2 tablespoons oil and grill until visibly charred, 10–12 minutes. 3. Cut kernels off cob and combine with shallots, chilis, lime juice, cheese, and remaining oil. 4. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with cilantro, and serve.

Sept. 20

Safe Yoga

Randy Thomas, PT

Sept. 25

Lower Back Pain

Recipe courtesy of Bon Appetit Magazine

*Note: All clinics/workshops are from 5:30–7 p.m.

386-257-2672 • 3

Thomas Physical Therapy www.ThomasPhysicalTherapy.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

100 Professional Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 386-257-2672

Hours of Operation: M, W, F: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tu, Th: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Randy’s Ramblings PAGE 1 The Founding Document of America PAGE 1 Common Misconceptions PAGE 2 The Benefits of Mall Walking PAGE 3 Charred Chili-Cheese Corn PAGE 3 Must-See Swimming Holes of the World PAGE 4

SECRET SWIMMING HOLES OF THE WORLD Exclusive Spots You Must See to Believe

DOS OJOS, MEXICO

Summertime is for swimming, but why settle for a community pool when you can have access to the most beautiful swimming locales in the world? These three exclusive, little-known spots are sure to take your breath away. HALI’I FALLS, HAWAII With its spiral staircase of waterfalls, this remote jungle location offers up more than one unique spot to take a plunge. Visitors never fail to be awestruck by the deep blue- green hue of each pool created by the four cascading waterfalls. Hali’i means “to spread out,”which is precisely what each waterfall does, showcasing a serene experience unlike any other. But the beauty of this one-of-a-kind experience is only outdone by its exclusivity. To reach these pools, you’ll have to hike through dense forest, deep marshes, and wide-open pastures of sugar cane.

The Spanish translation of the name for this magical system of caves is “two eyes,” and you’ll want to have yours checked after you see this swimming hole. When limestone bedrock collapses, a sinkhole called a “cenote” is formed. The unearthed water from the natural aquifer balances a color palette of earth tones with the most majestic shades of blue you’ll ever behold. The calling cards for these bodies of water are the Blue Eye and the Black Eye. Both offer unforgettable experiences, but the price of entry is a hefty sense of adventure. You’ll need a full set of scuba gear to get to either hole. THE BATHS, VIRGIN GORDA A day in the Caribbean is like living every moment inside a beautiful pastel painting. The elegance of this location in the British

Virgin Islands will make you feel like you’ve been transported into a cathedral. The large boulders and natural rock formations create shallow caves that will captivate your eyes as you wade through the water in wonder. When you exit, you’ll witness the sight that gives this beautiful spot its name. A handful of 40-foot granite boulders form private pools as if that was what they were made for.

4 • www.ThomasPhysicalTherapy.com

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

thomasphysicaltherapy.com

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online