Physical Therapy Doctor - January 2020

Take a look at our newsletter this month

theptdoctor.com

718.747.2019

Hours of Operation: M, F 8 a.m.–4 p.m. T, Th, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. W 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

January 2020

ON THE MOVE

Multi-Tasking, Memory, and What Matters OUR CLINIC IS GROWING UP

Sixteen years ago this month, I was in the midst of one of the most hectic moments of my life. I had just earned my doctorate, started a business, was about to take an orthopedic specialist exam, and was about to become a father. Sometimes I wonder how I kept it all together that year! I’d get up extra early every morning to help my wife with the baby, and I’d often be at work until 10 p.m. My business was this clinic of course, though we had a different location back in those days. We used to occupy this quaint corner house on Bell Boulevard and Cross Island Parkway. Believe it or not, we have patients who still remember the old site! While I have good memories of that place, it was a tough spot — just parking at our clinic used to be an ordeal back then. These problems only compounded when we really started to hit our stride. From the moment we set up shop, I knew we’d found the right community. I figured I’d picked an all-right location, but I had no idea there was such a need for physical therapy care and such a desire for good health here in Bayside. It was me and just one other therapist with six tables squashed together in one room. We always stayed busy, and by our 10- year mark, it was clear The Physical Therapy Doctor had outgrown Bell Boulevard. So, around six years ago, we moved to our current home in The Bay Terrace. I’m happy to say parking is definitely no longer an issue! On top of that, we’ve grown to have an exam room with a whopping 13 tables, and

we have five amazing therapists on our team. Of course, the clinic wasn’t the only thing maturing during these past 16 years.

Michael, my oldest, will be 16 years old next month, a fact I’m still struggling to comprehend. My son went from being this little guy crawling around on the floor of our old house in Whitestone to being as tall as I am — with 10 more pounds of muscle. Now he’s getting into bodybuilding and is showing a bit of an interest in physical therapy. Parenting is one wild ride. And through all this growth and change, our community has been right there with us. That’s what’s made this all possible. Ultimately, a clinic isn’t defined by walls, tables, or parking lots; it’s our relationship with people that counts. If I could step back 16 years and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: If patients don’t trust you 100%, you aren’t going to go far. Talk with the people in your care, and more importantly, listen to them. Don’t just keep the subject on physical therapy. Talk about life, their concerns, hobbies, and dreams — and share your own, too. You’ll be amazed at the friendships you’ll make along the way.

Guess I’ve grown a bit myself,

–Dr. Robert Morea

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NA T U R A L R EME D I E S F OR S T U F F Y NO S E S DON’T LET CONGESTION GET THE BEST OF YOU

Nasal congestion can have many different causes, including allergies, colds, or the flu, but the symptoms are often very similar: sinus pressure, headaches, and a stuffed- up nose. This is the result of membranes in your nasal passage becoming irritated and your body responding by producing mucus to try and flush out the irritants. Unfortunately, that response also causes nasal congestion. This is intensified by winter weather when dry air and heaters can further dry out your already irritated nasal passage. So, what is the best way to ease nasal congestion and sinus pressure? Try these at-home remedies that focus on moistening your nasal passage. FLUSH YOUR NASAL PASSAGE

When using a neti pot or other nasal irrigator, always use sterile, distilled water or water that has been boiled and cooled. MAINTAIN MOISTURE Humidifiers add moisture into the air, creating a more humid environment, and can be especially helpful if you have a forced-air heating system. Try using a humidifier or vaporizer when you sleep. You may also find a warm compress helps ease congestion: Soak a washcloth in warm water mixed with a couple of drops of eucalyptus essential oil (consult the oil distributor for the exact ratio), then place the washcloth over your nose and cheeks for several minutes. Drinking plenty of water and sleeping upright at night can also help ease further congestion. While over-the-counter decongestants can temporarily help ease congestion, they are not intended for long-term use and may further dry out the nasal passage. Adding and maintaining moisture is the best way to prevent or ease sinus congestion. If the problem persists, talk to your doctor.

Use a saline nasal spray or a nasal irrigator, like a neti pot, to flush and moisturize your nasal passage. These devices flush out allergens and keep your nasal passage moist, easing congestion and preventing further buildup.

DON ’ T JUS T TAKE OUR WORD FOR I T

“I feel 90% better. Bending my knee was extremely difficult for any activity. I can now bend my knee to do mostly anything with much less discomfort. Considering I’m only 64 days post-surgery. I am amazed and extremely grateful.

“my knee … back to my normal activity level”

“Teresa and Joshua were extremely responsible in making sure I did all my exercises and always with a smile and encouragement. Dr. Josh Grauer, aside from being extremely knowledgeable, is an excellent listener, and now for the second time has enabled me to get back to my normal activity level.” –LYDIA E. Delivering great care with a smile is what our team does best! If you want to take the first step towards recovery, as Lydia has, give us a call at 718-747-2019!

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JANUARY BRAIN TEASERS

COW AND ROPE A cow is tied to a 4-meter-long rope. There is food 20 meters away from the cow. However, the cow manages to go to the food and eat it. Why? MURDER IN A CAR The police found a murdered man in a car. The windows of the car were raised, the doors were locked, and the keys were inside in the man’s hands. The man was shot several times with a gun, but there were no holes anywhere on the car. How is this possible? Solutions are available in the clinic, so make sure to drop by to check your answers!

At our clinic, we’re happy to work with patients to improve their overall balance and mobility — but all the balance training in the world won’t make icy sidewalks any less dangerous. It’s no wonder many people are tempted to remain safe and sound indoors this time of year. But failing to stay in motion can hurt you in the long run. A sedentary winter leads to aching joints and deteriorated balance in the spring. So, rather than surrender to the ice and snow, give some of this specialized footwear a try! BOOTS Winter boots are what most people think of when they consider walking through slippery conditions. But not all of these heavy-duty shoes are created equal. For the best results, you want a boot with a treaded sole made of slip-resistant rubber. The body should be lightweight, water resistant, and have plenty of ankle support. These designs will provide you with the most stability while out in the cold. WINTER SNEAKERS When boots prove to be too much, or you really don’t want to sacrifice your jogging routine just because of a little cold weather, winterized shoes are an option. Brands like Nike, New Balance, and Puma make slip-resistant versions of many of their usual wears. Made with water-resistant materials, these shoes will keep your feet happy as you go about your business with confidence. SHOE CHAINS Sometimes your existing sneakers or boots need a little extra help. Shoe chains and attachable ice cleats can turn many types of footwear into winter-walking machines. They offer amazing traction on ice, often being used by construction workers and other professionals working outdoors time of year. But be careful: Chains and cleats will prove slippery once you’re indoors. These are best suited for longer and/or steeper treks as you’ll have to pop them on and off as you come out of the cold. Of course, always walk with caution this time of year — shoes can only do so much. But with prudence and the right gear, you don’t have to be homebound all season long, and you’ll be ready to get out and enjoy the spring weather when it arrives! GET A GRIP ON WINTER WALKING Footwear to Keep You Moving

Recipe of the Month:

Inspired by TheLazyBroccoli.com

VEGAN FRIED RICE

INGREDIENTS

• • • •

2/3 cup brown rice

• • • •

2 tsp vegetable oil 1 tsp mirin, optional

1 cup water

2/3 cup chives, chopped 1 block tofu, extra firm

2 tsp soy sauce

Salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Rinse rice until water runs clear. Cook rice as instructed on package with 1 cup water. 2. While rice is cooking, chop chives. Set aside. 3. Also while rice cooks, crumble tofu over a fine strainer. As you crumble tofu, press it into the strainer to release as much water as possible. Let drain. Press and drain again. 4. Once rice is cooked, set aside. In a nonstick pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. 5. Crumble tofu into the hot pan, cooking until brown. 6. Add chives and cook for 1 minute longer. 7. Add cooked rice and mirin, cooking until rice is dry. (You can make rice one day in advance to dry it out even more.) 8. Turn off the heat and add soy sauce, tossing until fully incorporated. 9. Add salt to taste and serve.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

718.747.2019

212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360

Hours of Operation: M, F 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | T, Th 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | W 9 a.m.–3 p.m. theptdoctor.com

INSIDE

Our Clinic: Then and Now

Natural Ways to Ease Sinus Congestion

What Our Clients Are Saying!

Vegan Fried Rice

The Best Footwear for Ice

Helping Your Kids Make New Year’s Resolutions

Help Your Kids Achieve More This Year With Simple, Actionable Goals

With every new year comes an opportunity to reinvent ourselves or start down a new path toward self-improvement. Making resolutions is a big part of many families’ New Year’s traditions, and parents often have a desire for their kids to take part in that tradition when they’re old enough. Following through on resolutions is tough, especially for young children, but with your help, they can achieve their goals. PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. You are your children’s role model for almost everything, including following through on New Year’s resolutions. So, ask yourself if you follow through on your own resolutions. When you proclaim that you will read more books or finally get a gym membership, do you actually try to do it? Your kids will assign as much importance to New Year’s resolutions as you do, so by sticking to your own commitments, you can help them stay on track too. KEEP THINGS SIMPLE AND ACHIEVABLE. When your kids are forming their resolutions, their first attempts will probably be very broad. Statements like “I want to be more kind” or “I will try to help more around the house” incorporate good values but don’t include any actionable steps. Help your kids think of tangible ways to act on those goals. For example, if they want to be tidier, a good resolution

might be for them to clean their room once a week or take responsibility for one household chore every day. DON’T DO ALL THE WORK FOR THEM. While it’s important for you to help your kids formulate their goals, be sure that you aren’t taking over. If they’re ultimately responsible for their resolutions, they’ll feel more compelled to keep them. Instead, suggest different goal areas they could improve, such as home, school, or sports, and let them elaborate. When it comes to creating habits, nobody is perfect, so even if your kids falter on their goals in the middle of February, don’t worry. The important thing is that you continue to encourage them every step of the way.

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