Somerset Family PT's online newsletter for September
NEWS Somerset Family 732-356-5363 information@somersetfamilypt.com www.somersetfamilypt.com
September 2017
The Power of PT THE REASONS I’VE LOVED MY JOB SINCE DAY 1
My first day as a physical therapist took me by surprise. I was relaxing one Friday evening in June, tired from the post-university job hunt, when I got a call from the Kessler Institute for Physical Rehabilitation in West Orange, which is the biggest rehab hospital in the nation. I’d been through a couple interviews with them, so I expected (or rather, hoped ) they were hiring me. They told me the good news: I was hired! But I hardly had time to celebrate before they dropped the stress bomb: Several therapists were out on vacation, and they needed me to come in the next day. I have to admit, I felt anxious about starting so quickly, but I was even more excited. Ever since high school, I’d been on the path to helping people eliminate their pain and move on with their everyday lives, and here was an opportunity to realize that dream. Immediately, it was a hectic scramble as I hustled around trying to fill in the gaps left by the vacationing therapists. It was a textbook trial by fire. I assisted patients with spinal cord injuries and stroke victims with their exercises, and honestly, it was a thrill to be thrust right into the call of duty. I learned more that day than any other. Ever since that crazy first day, I’ve loved my job. I get to come to work every day and help patients reach goals they never thought possible, whether by increasing their mobility or reducing their
pain. It’s deeply gratifying to watch a patient successfully return to normal function after days, months, or even years of suffering and struggle. Here’s just one example of a patient success story. A few months ago, I got a call from a patient who’d been out of therapy for a week or so. He came into the clinic fresh from a spinal stenosis surgery, locked into his back brace. He could barely move. But after three months with my team, his mobility returned to normal. He was thrilled and called to thank me. “I just played a full 18 holes of golf!” he exclaimed. That was a dramatic case, but we see changes like that each and every day. Some folks come in using wheelchairs and leave ready to train for their next 5K. How’s that for meaningful work? It’s the patients who keep me striving for excellence in my field and practice. With every person we get back on the green, the track, or just into their everyday life, I know we’ve done well. I feel privileged to make a difference in people’s lives.
– Kevin Kurtz
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Fresher, Cheaper, Tastier The nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables hardly need explaining. While the stock of protein, carbs, and fat seems to rise and fall at random, the value of fruits and veggies never wavers. These health staples, though, can put a dent in your wallet if you’re not making the right choices at the market. One way to feed your family healthy and delicious produce on the cheap is to eat seasonally. Not only will this save you money, but you will also vary your diet, support local farms, and put the freshest foods on your table. The Benefits of Seasonal Eating
buy directly from a supplier. In his exceptional cookbook, “Six Seasons: A New Way With Vegetables,” Joshua McFadden writes, “The best way to eat with the seasons is to frequent and support local farms, markets, and grocery stores that are doing good things.” Farmers markets have exploded in number and popularity recently, and the USDA website (ams.usda.gov) has a directory of markets that you can search for by ZIP code. Learning what’s in season at a given time might seem like a daunting task, but there are plenty of tools to help you. Again, the farmers market is your friend here. You can ask what’s in peak season now and what to look forward to in the coming weeks. Apps like Farmstand will also let you know the freshest crops in your area and alert you to deals on produce. Even if you opt for a grocery store rather than farmers market, you can still save by eating seasonally. You’ll be shocked how much you save by buying what’s on sale. And guess which items are usually on sale? The ones that are in-season and abundant.
Ever wonder why tomatoes cost so much more in December than in July? The answer is simple: shipping distance. The less a tomato needs to travel to make it to your plate, the less
it will cost. Transporting produce long distances is expensive because it needs to be protected and temperature-controlled. Eating seasonally means you’ll save a ton on fruits and veggies.
Even better is to cut out the middleman entirely and
Patient Success Story “I decided that I wanted to be able to do
Getting the nutritional benefits and great taste of fresh produce doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. Eat seasonally and locally, and the savings will pile up.
Do you love Somerset Family Physical Therapy? Refer a friend to SFPT and receive an entry to win a $100 gift card when they become a new patient. REFER A FRIEND! Somerset Family Physical Therapy
more this summer! I knew that my injury to my shoulder and subsequent frozen shoulder was keeping me from doing the things I liked to do. It was even keeping me from my favorite thing — sleep! When I couldn’t do the simplest things, like use a towel or reach around to put my coat on, I knew it was time.
This summer, I hope to be able to kayak down the shore, but even more than that, Kevin and Aditi have given me back the ability to do the simple things. This office is so much fun, and I never felt like it was a chore to come to PT. I’m actually going to miss it! Thank you, SFPT! You guys are the best!”
–AMY KEANE
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National Pain Awareness Month CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY RELIEVE YOUR PAIN?
September is National Pain Awareness Month, and
three times a week, chronic widespread pain was 28 percent less common. Physical therapists specialize in treating pain by prescribing exercises that fit your goals and needs.
Not only do physical therapists treat your pain, but they also educate you on preventative techniques to keep you healthy and pain-free. With proper education, those experiencing pain will know who to turn to and which exercises or stretches will reduce or prevent pain. When patients know where to turn, they will be less likely to abuse prescription drugs. Finally, studies show that developing a positive relationship with your physical therapist and being an active participant in your own recovery can impact your success. When a patient has a good relationship with their therapist, they are more likely to trust the process and take their treatment seriously. If you are in pain, find out what your physical therapist can do to relieve your suffering. Call the specialists at Somerset Family Physical Therapy at 732-356-5363 to evaluate your pain and start your treatment today.
unfortunately, America is in pain. Currently, we are combating an opioid epidemic, which is why safe, nonopioid pain treatments have never been of greater importance. Physical therapy is among the safe, effective alternatives recommended by the Centers
Research also supports a hands-on approach to treating pain from carpal tunnel syndrome to lower back pain.
for Disease Control and Prevention. While opioids mask pain, physical therapists treat pain through movement. One of the best ways to treat pain is through exercise. A Norwegian study following 20,000
Hands-on care can effectively
reduce your pain and improve your movement. Physical
people over 11 years found that those who exercised on a regular basis experienced less pain. Among those who exercised more than
therapists use manipulation, joint and soft tissue mobilizations, and dry needling to treat your pain.
Chicken Apple Cider Have a Laugh!
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tablespoons olive oil • 2 tablespoons butter • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds) • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • 1/2 Vidalia onion, chopped • 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced into 1/4-inch wedges
• 3 cloves garlic, minced • 2 teaspoons dried thyme • 2 bay leaves • 2 tablespoons all- purpose flour • 11/2 cups apple cider
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, add to pan and sear until golden, about 4 minutes each side. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. 3. Add remaining butter, onion, apple, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves. Sauté until apple begins to get color and onions soften, about 6 minutes. Add flour and stir for 2–3 minutes.
4. Nestle chicken back into pan, add cider, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook until chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes. (Recipe courtesy of foodnetwork.com.)
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14 Worlds Fair Drive, Suite M Somerset, NJ 08873 Phone: 732-356-5363 Fax: 732-356-5364 Email: information@somersetfamilypt.com Somerset Family Physical Therapy
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The Power of PT PAGE 1
Fresher, Cheaper, Tastier Patient Success Story PAGE 2 Can Physical Therapy Relieve Your Pain? Apple Cider Chicken PAGE 3
History of Glacier National Park PAGE 4
Glacier National Park THE HISTORY OF THE CROWN OF THE CONTINENT
Glacier National Park,
essential to Native American culture. The tribes still believe that their ancestors live in the park.
also known as the Crown of the Continent, is located in northwest Montana inside Flathead National Forest. Many people throughout history have called
Explorations by white trappers as early as 1700 opened the lands of the Native American tribes to trading among European settlers and tribal communities. In 1895, representatives from the U.S. government approached the Blackfeet Nation with intentions to buy their land. After four days, the U.S. government bought the land from the Blackfeet Nation for $1.5 million. However, many Blackfeet individuals feel ownership of the land. As resources were depleted, the tribes signed treaties that would confine native people to reservations and leave them dependent on the U.S. government. Today, the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, which shares Glacier’s eastern border, is home to about 8,600 members. Many tribes still call Glacier home and hope that visitors appreciate Glacier not only for its beauty, but also for its history.
Glacier National Park home.
Physical evidence of human use of Glacier National Park dates back more than 10,000 years. When the first white explorers began arriving in the region, the Blackfeet controlled the prairies on the east side of Glacier, and the Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai lived in the forested west side. The Native American tribes who lived in Glacier used the land and its resources to maintain emotional, physical, and spiritual strength. While buffalo were a staple for Native American survival, the water in Glacier was considered a living being and
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