Achieve PT's online newsletter for July 2018
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Acton 411 Massachusetts Avenue Acton, MA 01720 (978) 263-0007
Bedford 191 Hartwell Road Bedford, MA 01730 (781) 275-4111 Sudbury 29 Hudson Road Sudbury, MA 01776 (978) 579-0009
july 2018
The Real Beginning of Summer
or a lot of people, Memorial Day is the first real kickoff to summer, but to me, the season doesn’t really start in earnest until
The holiday always makes me think of summers from way back when I was a little kid, taking family vacations down to Myrtle Beach.
the Fourth of July. As a kid, we never got out of school in Massachusetts until at least the third week of June — and even later if we had a bunch of snow days — so I guess that late start stuck with me as I got older. And, in addition to it being the day that we celebrate our American independence, the Fourth also happens to be my older brother’s birthday. So there’s double the reason to get together with my siblings, my parents, and my own family, do a little barbecuing, and enjoy the incredible weather that’s finally rolled into town. When it’s not subzero temperatures with a nasty nor’easter bearing down on the city, you have to take every opportunity you can to get outside in the sunshine. Though I’m not sure I’d call our Fourth festivities anything special, it’s a fantastic time for everybody involved. We cook out during the warmer months as often as possible, breaking out the hot dogs, hamburgers, and other classics, and the Fourth is no different — other than the welcome addition of fireworks, of course. The holiday always makes me think of summers from way back when I was a little kid, taking family vacations down to Myrtle Beach. While I wasn’t exactly into all the sightseeing and touristy things we did along the drive, I always loved it once we got there. During the day, we’d tire ourselves out jumping waves along the massive beach and top it off in the afternoon with a heated round of mini-golf at a local course. As I grew up a little, the miniature course turned full-sized, and I found myself on the links with my brothers, my brother-in-law, and my dad. Though we don’t
head out there during the summer too often anymore, my sister still vacations down there a lot, and it remains in my memory a special place for my siblings and me. Over the past ten years or so, my youngest brother and I have created a new kind of tradition, bringing our two families up to Maine every late July and renting a house
right on the beach for a week. The instant you enter that new atmosphere, everything begins to slow down. You can totally unplug from the stresses of the everyday and, best of all, get a ton of time in with the most important people in your life. Even though I may not be able to take three months off during the summer like I did during the summer vacations of my childhood, it’s still one of my favorite times of the year. Between barbecues, like the one we throw every Fourth, and hanging out with my kids during those rare breaks, it’s tough not to enjoy these hot months once they finally show up.
–Bob Thomas
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How Much Sunshine Is Too Much? Keep Your Fami l y Safe
To many people, summer is all about heading outside to enjoy the weather. But getting too much sun can be dangerous. To have a fun-filled summer with your family this year, remember that it’s essential to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.
long periods. Taking a break from the sun gives your body the time it needs to recuperate and helps prevent sunburn and heatstroke.
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT SUN EXPOSURE
COVER UP
Many people think that a tan is better than a sunburn, but the result of tanning is still sun damage. When your skin tone changes due to the sun, regardless of whether it tans or turns red, it’s a result of the epidermis reacting to damage caused by UV rays. Both are symptoms of harmed skin. While vitamin D is important, the sun does not contribute to its creation as much as you might think. Doris Day, a New York City dermatologist, explains that if your skin were to constantly produce vitamin D from being in the sun, it would reach toxic levels. Vitamin D is the only vitamin that your body can produce on its own, through a common form of cholesterol or 7-dehydrocholesterol. Spending time in the sun does help vitamin D form, but you need far less exposure than you think.
Covering your skin is one of the best ways to avoid skin damage. Wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants or skirts can protect your skin from direct exposure to UV rays. While this tactic protects you from the sun, it offers poor defense against the heat. So, if you opt for cooler attire, it’s important to cover all exposed skin with a copious amount of sunscreen. Be sure to reapply every two hours for maximum skin protection.
SPEND LESS TIME IN THE SUN
If you’re planning to spend a significant amount of time in the sun, consider your environment. Will there be plenty of shade? Will you have to bring your own? What’s the best way to step out of the sun for a few minutes? Wearing sunscreen and protective clothing are great ways to shield yourself from UV rays, but it’s important to avoid being in direct sunlight for
Knowing how to protect yourself from UV rays is the first step to having a safe, fun-filled summer!
If there’s one injury that most athletes dread more than any other, it’s the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. When a person suddenly starts or stops their movement, changes direction, lands even a little awkwardly, or twists a way they shouldn’t, this stabilizer for the knee joint can suffer immediate trauma, sometimes even tearing away completely. Aside from being extremely painful and easy to incur, this injury can sideline athletes for weeks, and in the worst cases, can disable them from competing in their favorite sport for the rest of their lives. What’s worse, ACL tears are incredibly common. Some studies estimate that as many as 350,000 ACL reconstruction surgeries are performed every year. These numbers continue to climb, which paints a rather grim picture for athletes seeking to avoid ACL injuries altogether. But there is hope: One 2017 review of the current
research indicates that, through a patient-tailored ACL injury prevention program, athletes can lower their risk of ACL injury by as much as 85 percent. If you’re a high-level athlete, it can be difficult to pinpoint your exact risk areas on your own, but a few tests performed by an experienced physical therapist can zero in on potential problem areas and strengthen them to reduce your risk of a tear. Imbalances in muscle strength, problematic movement patterns, and inflexibility are all precursors for an ACL injury. Let our trained sports physical therapists identify these risk factors and eliminate them before they become a serious issue. We can tailor a workout program to your specific needs and lower your risk for years to come, keeping you active for as long as possible. Studies show that an ACL prevention program can lower incidence rates by as much as 85 percent. If you’d like to drastically improve your odds and avoid being sidelined for life, give the experts at Achieve PT a call at (978) 263-0007 .
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The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill One Small Decision for NASA, a Giant Leap for Physical Therapy Treatment
With new technologies booming, physical therapists strive to find the best new strategies and equipment to help their patients. Aquatic therapy has become increasingly popular due to the benefits that come from the weightless effect water offers. This method has now been taken a step further with anti-gravity. The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill takes the benefits of weightless physical therapy and employs them in a completely different way. The AlterG has been approved by the FDA to aid in rehabilitation after lower-extremity injury or surgery, gait training for neurological conditions, aerobic strengthening and conditioning for older patients, and weight control. NASA was the mastermind behind the technology used in the AlterG — its original intent was to help astronauts maintain fitness in prolonged space flight. AlterG Inc., the company that created the treadmill, is the first to use controlled pressure in a confined space to reduce a person’s weight to boost rehabilitation effects. By making a person lighter, the AlterG creates less impact on their legs and feet as they walk, jog, or run.
By reducing your weight, it becomes easier to do aerobic exercises, improving your range of motion and restoring mobility. The machine’s success rests in its method. Before stepping into the device, the patient puts on shorts designed to zip into the bubble-like chamber of the treadmill. Once the patient has stepped into the opening at the top and zipped themselves into it, the chamber allows the lower body to be supported by the air pressure inside. The machine then calibrates to cater to the individual and functions as a typical treadmill. The patient remains in contact with the treadmill and the treadmill’s chamber throughout the duration of the session. Technological advancements create more opportunities for growth inside and outside of physical therapy. We’re only left to wonder what will be developed next.
You’ll find all of the flavors of elote, Mexican street corn, in this dish, without any of the mess. It’s the rare side that can outshine any main course.
INGREDIENTS
• •
4 ears of corn, husked
• • • •
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
4 tablespoons high-smoke-point oil, such as canola or vegetable
2 ounces fresh cotija cheese (or feta), crumbled
1/4 cup cilantro
• •
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 red chili (such as Freson) or jalapeño, thinly sliced
DIRECTIONS
1. 2.
Heat grill to medium.
3.
Cut kernels off cob and combine with shallots, chilis, lime juice, cheese, and remaining oil. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with cilantro, and serve.
Brush corn with 2 tablespoons oil and grill until visibly charred, 10–12 minutes.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
WASHINGTON REVOLUTION PARADE FIREWORKS COLONIAL
JULY USA CONGRESS
4.
BARBECUE FREEDOM AMERICA
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411 Massachusetts Avenue Acton, MA 01720 (978) 263-0007 www.AchievePTonline.com
inside This Issue
Page 1
Bob Thomas Celebrates Summer
Page 2
Battling the Summer Sun!
The 1 Way to Avoid ACL Injuries for Good
Page 3
Technological Advances in Physical Therapy Charred Chili-Cheese Corn
Page 4
Mass Sports Hall of Fame No. 3: Ted Williams
Mass Sports Hall of Fame No. 3: Ted Williams A Man of Skill and Duty
“All I want out of life,” Ted Williams once said, “is that when I walk down the street, folks will say, ‘There goes the greatest hitter that ever lived.’” Few people publicly proclaim to be the absolute best in their field, but even fewer actually get to make it true — for their lifetime and every era after. But with a .344 batting average, 521 home runs, and a .482 on-base percentage, it’s an irrefutable fact: Williams was the best player to ever swing a bat, period. What’s more, Williams put these numbers up while actively enrolled in military service. When WWII broke out, he received a deferment due to his mother’s dependence on him sticking around, so he voluntarily enlisted in the Navy reserve in 1942 and was called to active duty in November of the same year. For the next three baseball seasons, he spent his time not on the diamond, but in the classroom and on the runway, learning how to fly fighter planes. Showing a
competitive spirit that would later follow him in baseball, he set numerous records during flying training as well.
spending nearly all his time chattering on about technique, his dedication made him the greatest to ever play the game, even after missing five seasons to serve his country.
He was discharged in December of 1945 and quickly returned to his beloved sport for several more seasons. But when he was called up from the inactive reserves in 1952 to fight in Korea, he had no choice; this time, he wouldn’t be setting records in training. He would be fighting for his life time and time again, his plane getting hit many times in close scrapes with death. Williams wouldn’t understand why we’re focusing so much on his military career in this article. “Everybody tries to make a hero out of me over the Korean thing,” he once told the press. “There were maybe 75 pilots in our two squadrons, and 99 percent of them did a better job than I did.”
Whether that’s true or not, the same can’t be said about his baseball career. After practicing swings between pitches and
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