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www.GilbertPT.com April 2018
The Gilbert Gazette
INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S BOOK DAY
What We Can Learn From ‘The Little Engine That Could’
T his month is
full of fun holidays. On April 1, we celebrated April Fool’s Day and Easter. On
WHEN WE ARE CHILDREN, WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN CONQUER THE WORLD. AS WE GET OLDER, WE BEGIN TO DOUBT OUR ABILITIES, AND BY THE TIME WE ARE ADULTS, WE OFTEN MAKE EXCUSES FOR OURSELVES.
April 2, we celebrated International Children’s Book Day. This holiday is not well-known, but it reminds me of the time I spent reading to my children before they went to bed. One of their favorite childhood books is one that kids and adults can relate to: “The Little Engine That Could.” As an adult, I have always loved self-help books and stories about perseverance. As many of you know, mindset plays a huge part in your recovery during physical therapy, and although I’ve always known this to be true, I didn’t read “The Little Engine That Could”with the intention of teaching my kids that lesson. Honestly, it was just the book they enjoyed the most! Plus, they were so young that there was no way they could have wrapped their brains around that philosophy if I had tried to teach it to them. It was truly just a happy coincidence. The story is about a train engine who didn’t believe he could carry his load of toys and dolls up over a mountain. Even though he doubted his ability at first, his friends encouraged him along the way, and every time he was faced with adversity, he said, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” We read the book so often that my kids eventually began saying that iconic line along with me. The book ends when the engine makes it to his destination and delivers the toys to the children. The story teaches kids that having
the right mindset, positive reinforcement from
their friends, and a can-do attitude will help them accomplish any task they set their minds to, even when they think they can’t. This book can be even more inspiring to adults than to kids in some ways. When we are children, we believe that we can conquer the world. As we get older, we begin to doubt our abilities, and by the time we are adults, we often make excuses for ourselves. We sometimes don’t even attempt things we might be good at, because they feel too hard or we can’t find motivation. But if we can get past our own limitations and lean on positive reinforcement, we can overcome obstacles, set better examples for our kids, and achieve more in life. “The Little Engine That Could” teaches kids a valuable lesson, and it’s a lesson that many adults can benefit from relearning too. Patients who come into the clinic and expect not to improve will have a harder recovery. But if you have a positive attitude and push through the pain and the doubt, you will get there. I hope you had a great Easter. We will see you soon. –Michael M Gilbert, DPT
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the Great Outdoors
FAMILY TIME IN
daylong trek, there’s sure to be a shorter scenic trail. If nothing else, you can always turn around and backtrack the way you came. FISHING Fishing is a great way to get out and do something relaxing yet challenging. It doesn’t require a lot of skill or
Family adventures are a great way to grow closer and developmeaningful connections. But with lodging prices rising and the logistical nightmare that traveling with the entire family can be, many Americans are looking at a new option: ditching the beaches and resorts and heading to the great outdoors. Actually, we know this option isn’t new at all. Spending time outdoors with family may very well be one of the most time-honored traditions ever. CAMPING
investment. All it takes is the willingness to learn and the desire to connect with nature. This is why fishing is the perfect activity for youngsters of all ages. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your rod and reel and head to the nearest lake or river.
Lodgings and flights are expensive, so going on a family vacation can cost thousands of dollars —and that’s just for the basics! But camping only requires a tent, a fire, picnic food, and water. Rather than scarfing down fast food between flights and dealing with airport security, departure delays, and long flights, take a deep breath and roast marshmallows over the fire with the people you love. HIKING
While these are all great stand-alone options, together they form an amazing three-headed
monster for your next family outing. By combining camping with a hike to a river or lake where you can go fishing, you are sure to create lastingmemories with your family that will
draw you closer together. Ditch the lines at the airport and the stress of travel. Unleash the possibilities of adventure in the great outdoors.
A hike with family is an easy way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. All a hike requires is a trail and a sense of adventure. The best part of hiking is that you can tailor the distance to fit your family’s needs. If you have children or grandkids who aren’t up for the challenge of an arduous
April Testimonial Don’t Just Take Our Word for It
BACK ON THE TRAIL! “My thanks to Dr. Jon, Pat, and the Gilbert staff. Following surgery for a torn meniscus, I continued to have moderate to severe knee pain. I was skeptical that physical therapy was the answer, but after five weeks of pain while walking and difficulty standing up, I was willing to give it a try. Progress was slow at first, but I committed to the designed program and began to feel the improvement. After six weeks, my pain was gone with no drugs. My goal had been to hike in the Rockies by the end of summer. Shortly after my last treatment, I completed several hikes over steep, uneven trails. I hiked in several national parks, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Rocky Mountain. I had no knee pain, but at altitudes of 11,000-plus feet, I wish I had worked more on my lungs. Thank you for your expertise and caring treatment. You gave me my mobility back.” –DAVE S.
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PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN Cure Herniated Discs
A herniated disc occurs when the cushion-like cartilage (the disc) between the vertebrae is torn and the gelatin-like core of the disc leaks. Herniated discs can be caused by sudden trauma or long-term pressure on the spine. This condition mainly affects people 30–50 years of age, and men are more likely to be diagnosed than women. The majority of herniated discs do not require surgery. In fact, they respond best to physical therapy. The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae stacked on top of each other. Discs separate each vertebra. The outer portion is a rubbery substance called the annulus fibrosus (AF), and the inside is filled with a gelatin-like substance called nucleus pulposus (NP). When people are young, the disc is soft and flexible and absorbs shock extremely well. As people age, the disc can lose flexibility, and when stress is applied, the AF can tear. Herniated discs can cause pain, tightness, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the neck, back, arms, or legs. If the bulging pushes on a nearby nerve, pain or muscle weakness may result. If a herniated disc is pressing severely on a nerve, surgery may be needed to immediately relieve that pressure.
If you think you have a herniated disc, your physical therapist will conduct an evaluation and ask you detailed questions about the injury. Be prepared to tell your PT how and when the pain started, where you feel discomfort, and about limitations in your daily routine. Your physical therapist will perform tests to assess your movement difficulty, weakness or tightness in the muscles, and numbness.
Once your physical therapist designs your specialized treatment plan, you will begin therapy by resting and avoiding activities that exacerbate your symptoms. Depending on your condition, your physical therapist may also suggest that you exercise in water to stay active. Throughout the process, your physical therapist will work with you to reduce your pain and symptoms; improve your posture, range of motion, flexibility, strength, and endurance; and return you to normal activities. If you are suffering from a herniated disc, call us today at 717- 591-0955 to start treatment.
SUDOKU
PASTAWITH TURKEY AND BROCCOLI
This simple, delicious recipe only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s also a great way to encourage kids to eat their broccoli. The next time you make pasta, leave the canned sauce in the pantry and make this instead!
INGREDIENTS
• •
2 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
•
3/4 pounds pasta (shells or orecchiette) 2 cups broccoli florets 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 pound ground turkey
• • •
• •
Salt
Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
Cook while breaking up meat with a wooden spoon for 3–5 minutes. 3. Combine turkey with pasta
1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli when pasta is 1 minute from done. Drain both and return to pot. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt.
and broccoli mixture, adding the remaining olive oil as you stir. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan cheese.
Recipe inspired by realsimple.com.
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this issue INSIDE
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Trains and Physical Therapy
3 Awesome Ways to Create Lasting Memories April Testimonial
Herniated Discs and Physical Therapy Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli
3 Places to View Natural Wonders
Naturescapes One-of-a-Kind
lagoon. These tiny organisms thrive in areas where salt water and fresh water meet, making the lagoon in springtime an ideal place to see them.
If you’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, youmight see rare magical sights—baby turtles scuttling toward water, glowing lagoons, or a shimmering sky. But when and where do you need to be to catch these natural wonders? SeaTurtles Hatching in Hawaii On Oahu’s North Shore, head to Turtle Beach, which gets its name from the many turtles that nest along its shores. During late spring and summer, the waves subside, allowing turtles to crawl onto the beach to lay their eggs. Baby turtles hatch at night and make their way to the water by the light of the moon. If you do head to the beach at night to see this spectacle, don’t use white light, as it can disrupt the turtles’progress (that means no flash photography).
Eco tip: To ensure this magical sight will remain for years to come, always go with a“pack it in, pack it out”mentality. Take all of your belongings with you when you leave and be respectful of the beautiful environment that is yours to enjoy. Northern Lights in Scandinavia One of the most elusive natural wonders, the aurora borealis, can only be seen on dark nights in the most northern parts of the world. That makes Sweden and its Scandinavian neighbors a great place to see the phenomenon. FromDecember through April, you’ll have your best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Sightings are dependent on solar activity, so it’s impossible to predict the exact timing and location, but they’re easier to see during the longer, darker nights of winter and early spring.”
Eco tip: Look, but don’t touch! It’s illegal to touch a sea turtle in Hawaii.
Bioluminescent Plankton in Jamaica Imagine looking out at the water as the sky gets dark and seeing it turn a bright, glowing blue. That’s the sight youmight be treated to at Luminous Lagoon in Jamaica, where dinoflagellates, microscopic organisms in the water, lend their glow to the
Eco tip: Book your trip through a responsible travel company, such as those that practice a fair-trade policy.
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