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October 2017
CORNERSTONE Monthly
77 Brant Avenue Suite 101, Clark, NJ 07066
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www.cornerstoneptnj.com
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732.499.4540
BENCHED AFTER 5 YEARS WHY I WON’T COACH MY DAUGHTER’S SOFTBALL TEAM ANYMORE
Cornerstone PT Patients
VIP Referral Patient of the Month!
L ife moves pretty fast, especially when you’re watching your kids grow up. For the last five years I’ve been the coach of my daughter’s softball team. I’m not tired of it; I could keep going. But people have to move on. In this case, she’s the one moving on — or, better put, moving up. My daughter is joining a competitive team that has paid coaches and travels even more. Now, instead of being in the dugout with my girls, I’ll be in the stands. I can’t remember the last time I was merely a spectator when she played. She plays other sports, of course, but I’ve never been in the bleachers when she plays softball.
DORIS MCCAFFERY
The best compliment we can receive is to have one of our patients refer a friend or family member to our practice. If you refer someone and we are able to take them as a patient, you and the person who was referred
She’ll know that whenever she plays, I’ll be there to cheer her on.
Another reason it’ll be an odd transition for me is because, in one way or another, I’ve always been in leadership roles, never a spectator. I was captain of the rugby team in college, I run a physical therapy practice, and when my children were old enough to play sports, it seemed only natural that I would coach them. This will be a lesson in humility as I hand off the reins to someone else. Luckily, I still coach my son Ryan in lacrosse and baseball. I’ll probably do that as long as I can. But chances are he’ll eventually move on to places where I can only cheer from the stands, just like my daughter has. I suppose that makes this exercise in letting go good practice for the future. As the kids get older, they’ll continue to reach milestones. Sports will take up more of their time. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, so I ask them regularly if they’re getting burned out. They never are. If the day comes that either of them don’t want to play anymore, I’ll respect their decision. I’ll take comfort in the fact that they’re taking valuable life skills — teamwork, time management, perseverance — with them when they go. Those attributes become a part of them.
“What I’ll miss the most is being able to be a positive influence in their lives.”
Thank You! will be entered to win a $25 gift card! It’s just our way of saying
It’s a bittersweet feeling, like most significant life events. It’s great to see my daughter and most of her teammates begin a new chapter. They’ll play more competitive ball with better, more experienced opponents and great coaches. If they stick with it, they’ll only progress from there. But I’d be lying if I said I won’t miss being in the dugout with them after six years of coaching. What I’ll miss the most is being able to be a positive influence in their lives. When you coach the same girls for so many years, you get to know their families. You teach them about the game and help them understand how athletics affect life. You see them learn skills like time management, multitasking, and teamwork. Those are skills that make them better people, and watching them grow in those areas is extremely rewarding. Being a cheerleading parent brings its positives, too. Instead of stressing too much about the outcome, I’ll be able to sit back, watch the game, and just enjoy it.
– David DeLaFuente
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Caption from left to right: Recent Cornerstone Graduate: Ruth Bernstein and Alin George, PT DPT
DO KIDS’ MENUS DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD? many restaurants around the country. These menus are virtually identical: chicken tenders, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, french fries, and so on. Kids’ menus are loaded with fried foods and cheap carbs. Some parents love the kids’ menu. It makes deciding on food easier. Or, at least, that’s what we tell ourselves. Kids’ menus are populated with foods practically every kid loves. But they have a dark side. Aside from poor nutrition, the kids’ menu changes the family dynamic. In an interview with Eater.com, television chef and host Alton Brown (who you may know from “Good Eats,” “Iron Chef America,” and “Cutthroat Kitchen”) said, “Never, ever, ever, ever, ever let your kid eat from the children’s menu at restaurants and never, ever, ever make your kid special food to allow them to avoid whatever the family is eating.” Why? During his “Alton Brown Live!” tour, he explained that it comes down to control. By giving kids the option of the children’s menu, you relinquish culinary control to your kids. The next time you go out as a family or you make a delicious meal at home, they are more likely to demand “their” food. This is a habit a child can quickly adopt — and a habit that’s tough to break. Kids are picky eaters because, as parents and adults, we let them be picky eaters. We perpetuate bad habits. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In a Mom.me article, Dr. Cara Natterson suggests kids eat what the rest of the family eats. For instance, let them indulge in the appetizer menu, then build up to the entrée menu and let them share and sample your food. Encourage culinary exploration. When you encourage your kids to avoid the children’s menu, you give them an opportunity to expand their flavor horizons. More importantly, it helps them make healthier choices that aren’t loaded with fat and empty carbs. Make going out to dinner a learning experience, and before you know it, the phrase “kids’ menu” will have disappeared from your family’s vocabulary. Kids can be picky eaters. This is a fact recognized by parents and restaurants alike — hence the classic children’s menu featured at
“I came in with tendonitis and bursitis in my left shoulder, no tear. I had no strength in my arm and couldn’t carry anything or push a door open. I also had pain while sleeping. Now my strength is much improved, I have NO trouble sleeping or doing any regular activities. I’m even going back to playing tennis.”
– Ruth Bernstein
Caption from left to right: Dr. David De La Fuente PT, DPT; Recent Cornerstone Graduate: Robert Weiss; PT Aide Michael Palmadessa; Patrick Chinjen, PTA
“I could not climb stairs well or walk for a long time. Pain in both knees. Now I feel great and have no problems with the activities mentioned before.”
– Robert Weiss
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WHY NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH Is Important
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n 1981, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) designated the first National Physical Therapy Week. A decade later, they expanded it to include the entire month of October. The goal of the monthlong celebration is to raise awareness of the important role that physical therapists and their assistants play in helping people decrease pain, improve mobility, and engage in healthy lifestyles. Why the upgrade to an entire month? People in the health industry agreed that a greater emphasis on physical therapy was needed. Today, in a society where surgery is too often used and people are heavily medicated and often opioid-addicted, awareness of the natural benefits of physical therapy is more important than ever. Americans’ increased use of prescription opioids for pain management inspired the APTA to adopt the hashtag #ChoosePT to emphasize what a valuable alternative it is to surgery and pills. And it isn’t just us: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge prescribers to reduce the use of opioids in favor of better treatment. Our nation’s use of opioids has also been called a national health crisis.
Here are some ways to get involved:
• Follow Cornerstone Physical Therapy on social media and share articles you like with your friends.
• Post on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest) about your physical therapy experience. (Remember to use the hashtag #ChoosePT!)
Thanks for helping us celebrate National Physical Therapy Month!
• Get educated! Visit apta.org to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy.
REFRIED BEAN POBLANOS WITH CHEESE
This vegetarian meal comes together in less than 15 minutes. It’s the perfect way to avoid takeout on a busy weeknight.
Ingredients
• 4 medium poblano chilies, halved and seeded
• 1 (16-ounce) can fat-free refried beans • 1 (8.8-ounce) pouch microwaveable cooked long-grain rice • ½ cup picante sauce
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1 cup (4 ounces) pre-shredded reduced- fat 4-cheese Mexican blend
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Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Directions
3. Uncover chilies, sprinkle each half with 2 tablespoons cheese, and microwave on high 1–2 minutes or until cheese melts. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired.
1. Place chili halves, cut sides up, on a round microwave-safe plate. Cover with wax paper; microwave on high 3 minutes. 2. While chilies cook, combine beans, rice,
and picante sauce in a medium bowl, stirring well. Spoon bean mixture into chili halves. Cover with wax paper; microwave on high 2 minutes.
Recipe courtesy of CookingLight.com.
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77 Brant Avenue Suite 101 Clark, NJ 07066 732.499.4540 www.cornerstoneptnj.com
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INSIDE This Issue
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I’m Retiring … From Coaching Softball
Patient Success Do Kids’ Menus Do More Harm Than Good? Why National Physical Therapy Month Is Important Refried Bean Poblanos With Cheese
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The Acropolis of Athens: Tips for Your Trip Back in Time
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THE ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP BACK IN TIME
When people think of a vacation to Greece, the first images that come to mind are often the picturesque beaches of Mykonos Island or plates of delicately layered moussaka. But no trip to the cradle of Western civilization would be complete without a visit to one of the most incredible historical sites in the world: the ancient Acropolis of Athens.. Around 468 B.C., while Athens was enjoying its status as the greatest cultural hub of the era, Pericles initiated a robust reconstruction of the Acropolis. Almost half of the population was on the public payroll during the project, generating what would become many of the most memorable structures in history, including the famous Parthenon. Today, the ruins of the Acropolis still stand, a testament to the ingenuity of one of the most advanced civilizations of the classical age. If you plan on exploring the breathtaking ruins and the Acropolis Museum, which houses over 4,000 artifacts from the site, it’s a good idea to avoid the Mediterranean cruise hordes and get there early, as close to 8 a.m. as possible. A four-day pass to peruse the Parthenon, the temples of Athena and Zeus, and many other world-famous sites costs around 12 euros, but keep in mind you can visit each site only once per pass. Due to the scorching heat that hits the area in the summer, you may want to visit during late winter or early spring.
section of ricksteves.com and download his audio guide for free. You can also get a full tour from a local guide. Head to toursbylocals.com/Athens-Tours to find the perfect guide for your trip.
To absorb the incredible history of this ancient monument, it’s a good idea to either pay for the audio guide as you enter or go to the “Watch, Read, Listen”
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