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November 2020
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MADDEN PHYSICAL THERAPY
And Learning Lessons in a Pandemic Finding Gratitude
I learned a valuable lesson this year. Before COVID-19, I spent a lot of my energy focusing on this clinic. I wanted to ensure it grew without losing the small-town feel and personalized attention we offer patients during treatment. During the lockdown, as the pandemic hit its peak this spring, I realized that I had been so focused on work that I was neglecting to nurture my personal relationships. As I was forced to slow down and halt the work I was doing at the clinic, I made more time for my friends and family. The personal relationships that I value the most have continued to grow as a result. My relationship with my mom has perhaps grown the most. Like any good son, I previously called her once a week to check in and give her updates on my life. When the pandemic hit the U.S., I realized my mom was all alone in her home. She didn’t have a “quarantine buddy” to help her pass the time, so I became hers — virtually, of course. Mom and I now chat over video or the phone at least once a day. I make sure we spend a few minutes just checking in. I want to know she is doing okay, and I want her to know that there is someone who is thinking about her. It’s made us stronger than ever. As I’ve learned to better balance my work and personal life, I’ve found that I have plenty to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. I’m thankful that my family and friends have largely stayed healthy this year. I know there are people who cannot say the same, and my heart aches for all of them. It makes me more grateful for my family’s well-being. I’ve also been immensely grateful that, despite everything the pandemic threw at our clinic, our employees have been able to keep their jobs and we’ve been able to continue to treat this great community. We’re providing our patients with a safe place to find healing and comfort. I’m very proud of that.
mental health. I believe that was a big focus for many people this year. We had to find ways to thrive both physically and mentally, and it was a challenge.
I certainly wasn’t immune to this. When the pandemic began, I fell out of my routine and got into some bad habits. I wasn’t taking care of myself. But, I slowly learned how to get back into the routines that make me feel good, and throughout that process, I’ve noticed great results. I hope you find time to practice gratitude and check in with your mental health this Thanksgiving. We’ve all learned a lot this year. And if there’s one thing our team has learned over the past year, it’s that we are beyond grateful to continue to serve you. Thank you for your support!
Happy Thanksgiving!
–Dan Hinnerschitz
As we prepare to leave this year behind and head into 2021, I hope we can leave a lot of the difficulty of 2020 behind while continuing to prioritize our
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Build Hours of Entertainment
With the Perfect Blanket Fort After months spent stuck at home, it’s no surprise your kids are going stir-crazy. Old toys get stale, new toys are expensive, and there’s only so much backyard-adventuring they can do as colder weather moves in. So, how can you keep your kids freshly entertained? Build an excellent blanket fort!
Choose the space wisely.
A smart fort-building space isn’t always what’s easy or predictable. Living rooms and bedrooms are go-to spots, but take a look around your different rooms and consider how they might provide better building opportunities. For example, your dining room table can provide the support you need to build a massive fort. The long hallway leading to the bedrooms means the fort can have tunnels attached to it. You can even build in the attic, where the fort might not have to be temporary. Go for a space that’s fun and unique, even if it means it’s in your way for just a little while.
add a blanket to one side, add a similar blanket to the opposite side. Also attach blankets to stationary items like doorknobs or furniture legs. If you’re stumped, string up a line of rope to serve as the stable center of your fort.
Make it comfortable.
If you take the time to construct a fort that has multiple purposes, your kids are less likely to get bored with it. When they’re all played out, encourage some quiet time in the fort with tablets and laptops for cordless entertainment. String up lights on the ceiling of the fort to provide hands-free light for reading. When it comes to comfort, spare no expense. Couch cushions, pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags are all fair game. You may even get an impromptu nap out of your kids if you do it right.
Build it right.
A fort ceiling needs to stay above your kids’ heads where it belongs. They don’t need standing room, but they do need something they can move through freely. Always remember to counterbalance by using lighter sheets on top and heavier blankets on the bottom to weigh everything down. If you
Forts can be magical places for imagination and hours of entertainment. All it takes is a little creativity and some dedication!
“After increasing my running mileage without stretching or doing flexibility work, I ended up with lower back pain that kept me from running and also interfered with my sleeping, playing with my children, walking my dog, getting dressed, and lifting even medium-weighted items. Danny, Nate, and Jillian got me feeling better within the first 24 hours after I began at Madden and taught me how to strengthen and increase flexibility in my whole body. I have a new confidence in and respect for my body and how to keep it healthy. Thank you for getting me back to running, and all of my normal life, stronger than before!” –Sarah F.
Please share your experience with us! Simply go to MaddenPT.com/review_new. From there, just follow the steps. Thank you for trusting us with your care during your time at our clinic. We appreciate your help in sharing your story with others!
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SWEET REACTION
How Sugar May Be Causing You Pain
Cookies, eggnog, and fruitcakes — oh my! If your mouth is watering just thinking about all the yummy treats that come with the holiday season, you’re not alone. But your joints just might be groaning. More sugar means more inflammation, which can cause pain and stiffness during the holidays. Here’s why and how you can combat it. Let’s Talk Inflammation Surprisingly, inflammation is not necessarily a bad thing. Inflammation is a sign that your body’s immune system is doing its job. It’s a defense to combat the foreign body — like a splinter or bacteria — that’s taken up residency inside of you. However, inflammation can appear when it’s not needed, often as a result of a poor diet. Its presence can lead to stiffness, pain, and difficulty moving. (Although, moving is one of the best ways to relieve inflammation.) How Sugar and Inflammation Play Together Sugar can be sneaky. When it’s consumed in moderate quantities through fruits and vegetables, it can be good for the body. Natural sugar can stabilize your blood sugar level and help you feel fuller, and it often carries proteins and other vital nutrients with it. But excessive amounts of sugar — particularly processed sugar, which doesn’t have the same benefits as its natural counterpart — can cause inflammation in your joints. This is because sugar activates the release of the protein your body uses for inflammation.
What You Can Do Don’t give up your favorite treats
impact movements will help you combat inflammation on days when you do consume too much sugar. If you or a loved one struggles with arthritis or joint pain, our team at Madden Physical Therapy Dauphin can help. We will create a treatment regimen that gets you moving, improves joint strength, and helps you prevent further pain and damage. Call our office today to learn more!
altogether — this could lead to a binge — but be mindful of the serving size. Opt for lighter treats, like a small cookie, or use natural sweeteners, like honey or maple syrup, to sweeten your treats while avoiding the downsides of processed sugar. Movement is also vital to combating inflammation and strengthening your joints. Physical therapy, walking, swimming, and other joint-friendly, low-
Laugh Therapy
Sinfully Sweet Butternut Squash
This butternut squash, oven-roasted and caramelized to perfection, could almost pass for dessert. You’d never guess it’s a dish loaded with vitamins and antioxidants!
Inspired by WellPlated.com
Ingredients
• 1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes • 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil • 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 3/4 tsp kosher salt • 3/4 tsp cinnamon • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F, placing the two oven racks at the top and bottom of the oven. Then grease two baking sheets. 2. In a large bowl, combine squash cubes, olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and spices. Toss to coat, then spread mixture in a single layer over the baking sheets. 3. Place both pans in the oven and bake 15 minutes. Turn the cubes with a spatula and return them to the oven, swapping them to different racks. Continue baking 10–15 minutes until tender. 4. Sprinkle with rosemary and serve!
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Inside
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What This Pandemic Gave Us
Building a Blanket Fort 101
Patient Success Story
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Too Much Sugar Can Be a Whole Lotta Pain
Sinfully Sweet Butternut Squash
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The Best Way to Say ‘Thank You, Veterans!’
Donate to These Local Groups This Veterans Day Support Vets!
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many small businesses and charities, and this Veterans Day, Madden Physical Therapy Dauphin would like to profile three local veterans’ nonprofits in need of continued support during this pandemic. Each one does amazing service for our communities and their veteran members! Be sure to check them out.
memorials for soldiers and celebrates military service. The department relies on donations from the public to fund its endeavors, and those donations can be directed toward housing, monetary relief, or various other causes. Learn more online! Support Homeless Veterans, Inc. Where: Willow Grove, Pennsylvania Website: SupportHomelessVeterans.org Created by a Penn State alumna in 2011, Support Homeless Veterans has become an advocacy group that helps veterans find good, sustainable homes while raising awareness about the rates of homelessness among veterans. The group has multiple means of supporting veterans while getting directly involved in the communities it serves. Through multiple programs and various sponsorships, there are many ways for community members to get involved. Learn more on its website!
American Legion Chapter 998 Where: Lawnton, Pennsylvania Website: Facebook.com/Post998 Just south of Dauphin, Lawnton, Pennsylvania, is home to the American Legion Chapter 998. As a member of the national organization — which was developed in 1919 and continues to serve as the nation’s largest veterans service organization — Post 998 celebrates our local veterans while giving back to the community they have already given so much to. This includes raising funds for community programs, giving back to veterans,
and supporting their fellow military brothers and sisters.
Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Where: Annville, Pennsylvania Website: PA.gov/DMVA The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is a governmental support group for veterans in Pennsylvania. Its members work to offer resources to veterans in need of monetary assistance, housing, and more. It also creates
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