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NOVEMBER 2018 WOODLYN WORD
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A Family Thanksgiving
MANY TRADITIONS IN THE SEASON OF THANKS
Every Thanksgiving, when the in-laws come to visit, my father- in-law brings his tractor. Our house is surrounded by trees, and we take care of all the leaves that have fallen into our yard during the week they’re in town. Well, I say “we.” Even though he’s 81 years old, my father-in-law always insists on doing the job himself. No matter how many times I tell him to wait for me so I can help, I’ll come home after work that Wednesday and find that he’s almost done. I wouldn’t call this a holiday tradition, but it does happen every year. For 20 years now, my in-laws have been coming to visit us for Thanksgiving. There was one year shortly after my son was
After everyone recovers from the post-feast exhaustion, my kids go off to hang out with their friends, and my wife and mother-in-law
brave the crowds of Black Friday to do some Christmas shopping. Meanwhile, I have work in the morning, so I’ll be in bed by 10, sleeping soundly with a belly full of turkey and pie. Getting up for work after eating all day on Thanksgiving doesn’t sound like the best time, but I am honestly thankful for the opportunity.
born when we traveled out of town to visit them. As anyone who has traveled with small children can attest to, that trip turned out to be a stressful disaster. Every year since, the family has come down here to visit for the holidays instead. Today, in addition to having the in-laws come to visit, I also look forward to having my kids come home from college. Having the family together is my favorite part of Thanksgiving, with overeating the big dinner coming in at a close second. There isn’t a bad dish on the table at Thanksgiving, but I have to praise my wife’s incredible sweet potatoes. First she fries them, and then she covers them in brown sugar and butter and lets them simmer in the slow cooker all day. Those sweet potatoes are so good, they literally melt in your mouth.
It has been a lot of work to get the business running, and I’m thankful to have the clinic and all my clients who support me. It’s a wonderful thing to wake up in the morning and go to work somewhere I enjoy being. I love being able to help people take care of their health. I am fortunate that everyone in my family is in good health this year, and I’m proud to be there to help others improve their health so they might better enjoy the time they spend with their own families. I want to wish everyone reading this a happy Thanksgiving. May you enjoy good food, good company, and have plenty of things to be thankful for in your own life.
“HAVING THE FAMILY
TOGETHER IS MY FAVORITE PART OF THANKSGIVING, WITH OVEREATING THE BIG DINNER COMING IN AT A CLOSE SECOND.”
—Jim Brennan
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Pain-Free Cooking AVOID INJURY THIS THANKSGIVING
Use Your Tools If you are older or suffer from arthritis, this is an especially important point. Ergonomic kitchen utensils are available to make many cooking tasks, from slicing to stirring, easier to handle. Using oven mitts rather than pot holders also lets you grip hot items with greater confidence and reduces the likelihood of an accident. Lifting the Turkey All right, here’s the big one: One of the easiest ways to hurt your back is to lift a heavy object while simultaneously twisting your torso — the exact thing one might do when trying to take a turkey out of the oven in a single fluid motion. Do not put yourself and the feast at risk. Lift with your legs, straighten all the way up, and then turn to where you want to carve it. No one wants to throw their back out before Black Friday. We hope you have a safe and happy start to the holiday season. If any aches or pains develop as the weather gets colder, feel free to swing by and let our physical therapy experts get you moving again!
Whenever an activity involves heavy lifting or repetitive motion, it’s important to take steps to prevent injury. While back pain, carpal tunnel, and sore shoulders are normally associated with work- related injuries, it’s important to note that these issues can also result from working in the kitchen if you’re not careful. With the big feast coming up at the end of the month, here’s a guide to pain-free cooking! Mix It Up Even if you’re “just” chopping carrots or peeling potatoes, you may be exposing yourself to a repetitive strain injury. Standing for long periods with your shoulders hunched forward is also bad for your back. While it’s always important to keep an eye on your posture, the best way to avoid pain and stiffness is to do a mix of activities in short bursts. If you’re cooking with family, consider swapping jobs every six or seven minutes to give your body a break from the same motions and positions.
A FEAST FOR DOGS
THE BEST (AND WORST) THANKSGIVING TREATS
Hello, everyone!
to let your dog enjoy some turkey, make sure it’s boneless, skinless, and seasoning-free. No turkey legs for us, please!
Brice here, and I’m teaching Mookie about the awesome human holiday of Thanksgiving. This is Mookie’s first Thanksgiving, and we can’t wait until the kids come home for the break. Plus, there are always so many great smells in the air. Mookie is most excited for the food, but when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, everyone should be aware of what dogs can and can’t eat. Back for Seconds Who doesn’t love turkey? In my opinion, it’s the best part of Thanksgiving dinner! Fortunately, turkey happens to be a great source of protein for dogs and humans alike. That said, if you’re going
Certain popular Thanksgiving sides are also very nutritious and safe for dogs to eat. Feel free to mix some raw pumpkin, unseasoned sweet or mashed potatoes, or cranberry sauce into your dog’s kibble for a real Thanksgiving treat. Just keep in mind that while dogs can enjoy some Thanksgiving treats, don’t feed us scraps from the table, no matter how much we beg! And make sure your Thanksgiving guests aren’t sneaking treats to your dog, either. Overeating can lead to pancreatitis in dogs. Keep Off the Menu As much as I hate to admit it, dogs really shouldn’t eat everything , no matter how good it smells. Salads might be good for humans, but some of the ingredients, like grapes, raisins, garlic, and onions, can make us sick. Thanksgiving desserts are also out of the question. Chocolate and sugar — especially artificial sweeteners — can be poisonous for dogs. Thanksgiving is a really awesome holiday, and I am excited to share it with Mookie for the first time, but it’s important to remember that dog diets and human diets are very different. I recommend checking out all the advice the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has at ASPCA.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/thanksgiving-safety-tips . No one will be thankful for an emergency trip to the vet on Black Friday.
With these tips in mind, dogs and humans alike should be able to have a happy Thanksgiving.
– Brice
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Free Exam on Tuesday, November 27th, noon-6pm To Celebrate My 24th Year In Practice ...
The free exam consists of a 20-minute one-on-one appointment.
I will talk with you about the history of your problem.
I’ll take measurements to test how well you are moving and to test your strength.
After a thorough exam, you will get a written copy of:
1. The cause of your pain or problem
2. A plan for successful treatment
The appointments are FREE but limited, as we only have 12 available spots. Call 302.366.7600 now to schedule your free exam.
The FREE exam is ideal for people suffering with ...
• Lower back pain • Arthritis • Sciatica
• Neck pain • Headaches • Shoulder pain
• Knee pain • Problems walking
If you are having pain or problems with day-to-day activities such as walking, standing, sitting for long periods, going up or down steps, getting in and out of the car, sleeping, or driving, then this is an excellent opportunity to see me and find out the cause of your problem. Call 302.366.7600 to schedule your free exam for Tuesday, November 27th, 2018.
WOODLYNPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM • 302.366.7600
1082 OLD CHURCHMANS RD • NEWARK, DE 19713
Best Promo EVER Call to schedule your FREE exam! FOR PRESENT & PAST PATIENTS OF Woodlyn Physical Therapy
Who qualifies?
All past patients who have not been seen in more than 3 months All present patients who have another problem not currently being treated All loved ones, family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers of our past and present patients
Free Exam Certificate
Call 302.366.7600 to schedule your free exam for Tuesday, November 27th, 2018. The free exam is ideal for people suffering with ... • Lower back pain
• Neck pain • Headaches • Shoulder pain
• Knee pain • Problems walking
• Arthritis • Sciatica
WOODLYNPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM • 302.366.7600
1082 OLD CHURCHMANS RD • NEWARK, DE 19713
STRUGGLING WITH BACK PAIN?
Protect Your Back and Start Sitting Better Today
We all have bad habits. Many people bite their nails, others curse too much, and some leave clean laundry in the dryer a little too long. Most of these habits are fairly harmless, but there’s one bad habit you may not
your computer monitors so your line of vision is perpendicular to the screen.
When Driving Long Distances Much like office workers, truck drivers are trapped in a seated position for hours at a time. Before you start driving, make sure you don’t have anything in your back pockets that can throw your spine out of alignment — think bulky wallets or smartphones. It’s also important to reduce the strain of reaching for the steering wheel. Adjust your seat so it’s as close to the steering wheel as possible while still keeping your knees bent slightly higher than your hips. When Bingeing That New Show The soft cushions of your couch make it easier to slouch, meaning your furniture has back pain built in. To combat this, make sure both of your feet are flat on the ground when you unwind with some TV. Don’t fold your knees beneath you or rest one leg up on an ottoman, because this position twists your pelvis at an awkward angle. You should also put one of those many throw pillows behind your lower back for extra lumbar support and a pillow behind your neck to reduce strain. Back injuries are a common cause of back or neck pain, but more often than not, spine trauma is the result of years of bad habits. It doesn’t matter how hard you work at physical therapy; if you spend all day slouching in front of your computer and all evening slouching on the couch, your pain will never go away.
realize you have: bad posture when sitting. And it’s ruining your back.
Think about how long you sit during the day. If you aren’t aware of your posture, you’re basically spending hours every day tearing apart your back and neck. Here are some strategies to help.
When Working at a Desk If you have a desk job, make sure you have taken the necessary steps to protect your back. If your chair doesn’t support the natural curve of your spine, place
a pillow or a rolled-up towel against your lower back for lumbar support. Keep your feet flat on the ground with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. And if you are suffering from neck strain, use lifts to raise
Chipotle-Roasted Carrot Salad Inspired by Food & Wine magazine
SUDOKU
These spicy, tangy carrots make a healthy Thanksgiving side that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Plus, you can do most of the work in advance and assemble the finished dish on the big day.
Ingredients
• 30 small carrots (2–3 bunches), tops removed and carrots scrubbed • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced • 1 teaspoon adobo sauce from the chipotle can • 1 tablespoon molasses
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 4 ounces watercress, stems trimmed • Plain Greek yogurt, for serving • Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. In a rimmed baking sheet, toss carrots with chipotle peppers, molasses, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, and roast for 30–35 minutes. 2. Transfer carrots to a plate and let them cool completely. 3. Once cooled, toss carrots with adobo sauce. Lay across a platter, and top with watercress. 4. Serve alongside yogurt.
Solution on pg. 4
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WOODLYNPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM • 302.366.7600 1082 OLD CHURCHMANS RD • NEWARK, DE 19713
What Are You Thankful For? 1
Solution from pg. 3
3 Tips for Pain-Free Cooking
The Wisdom of Retrievers 2 Can You Sit Your Way to a Better Back? Chipotle-Roasted Carrot Salad 3 Caramel Apples, Knitting, and Bonfires 4
ENJOY THESE 6 AUTUMN ACTIVITIES Fun for the Whole Family!
Throughout November, everyone is eagerly looking forward to Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber
decorations you want. Making beautiful fall flower arrangements for your kitchen table or wreaths for your front door to greet guests will create the desired autumn vibe you’ve been searching for.
Monday, but you shouldn’t let the rest of the month slip past you! Enjoy these other fall activities
Movie Night Gather your loved ones in the living room with popcorn, blankets, and a great film. Make the most of your autumn evenings by cozying up and spending quality time with each other while watching some family holiday favorites, like “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” or the Thanksgiving comedy-drama “Pieces of April.” Home-Cooked Food When autumn rolls around, pie and warm cider may be high on your list of tasty treats you’re eagerly anticipating. This fall, encourage your family to take part in making annual goodies and sharing them with your neighbors. Nothing warms the heart more than receiving a loaf of freshly baked pumpkin bread during these increasingly cold days. Knitted Scarves If you’re handy with knitting needles, now is the season to put them to work. Hand-knitted scarves are great gifts to give throughout the fall and winter, and you can also make it a family activity! Take some time to teach your kids how to knit and crochet to create scarves of their very own.
with the whole family.
Homemade Caramel Apples Homemade treats are no doubt far better than their store-bought counterparts. Try your hand at making your own caramel apples for the whole family to enjoy. You can also add a number of toppings to liven things up, such as nuts, white or milk chocolate, coconut, sprinkles, or pecans. Backyard Bonfire During these cold months, you may be tempted to stay indoors, but heading outside for a bonfire is a great way to spend time with your family while enjoying the brisk weather. If you have a fire pit in your backyard, now is the perfect time to take advantage of it by bundling up with some hot chocolate and s’mores.
Autumn Arrangements It’s time to get crafty! Creating your own fall arrangements will ensure that your home has the seasonal
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