Woodlyn PT - February 2019

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FEBRUARY 2019 WOODLYN WORD

WOODLYNPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM

302.366.7600

From Study Date to ‘I Do’

MY LIFE WITH MARY ANN

My first date with my wife was spent studying. It’s not the most romantic event, but back then, that’s all we did. I met Mary Ann while I was in school to be a physical therapist, and she was studying to be an occupational therapist. We were friends first and spent a lot of time studying together. I think our first real date was catching a movie, but when I think back to those early days, I remember sitting next to her, studying hard and trying not to get distracted by the beautiful woman next to me. We weren’t together very long before Mary Ann moved into my place. Getting serious can be nerve-wracking, but I was 31 when we met. I knew I was ready to get married, but I was just waiting

She was surprised, to say the least. It certainly cheered her up.

I proposed in January and we were married that following September. Again, after three years together, why

wait any longer? Mary Ann’s from upstate Pennsylvania, which is where we held the wedding on September 26, 1992. There were over

for the right woman. Mary Ann was obviously the one for me. We hit it off and always had fun together. After we were together for three years, we both knew we’d found the person we were going to spend the rest of our lives with. When I was ready to propose, I planned a big, special evening, complete with dinner at a fancy restaurant downtown. But when I got home after picking up the ring, I found Mary Ann sick as a dog laid up in bed. At first, I started mentally moving my schedule around, ready to put off the proposal until we could get out of the house. Then I thought, “Why wait?” “Maybe this will cheer you up,” I said, tossing the ring box to Mary Ann. “What do you think?”

220 people who attended, and it was a huge party! One of my patients at the time played in a Motown band, so we hired him to play for hours. We kept the bar open, and everyone danced the night away. Honestly, we were soaked and exhausted from dancing all night. It was one of the best weddings ever, and it kicked off an incredible marriage. Mary Ann and I have been together for over 30 years, and it’s been a great adventure. We’ve raised two kids together, who turned out great thanks to Mary Ann being the most wonderful mother. We’ve moved around, started businesses, seen ups and downs, but through it all, there was no one else I wanted at my side. Mary Ann is the most supportive, self-motivated person I know. Right now she’s going to school to get her doctorate in occupational therapy. She’s nonstop! This month, I want to take a moment and wish a happy Valentine’s Day to my amazing wife and best friend. Mary Ann, if I had to go back and do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing.

“ITWAS ONE OF THE BEST WEDDINGS EVER, AND IT KICKED OFF AN INCREDIBLE MARRIAGE.”

-Jim Brennan

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What’s Stopping You?

DAILY HABITS THAT IMPEDE YOUR HEALING

Snuff Your Habit Smoking comes with a long list of health risks, and “inability to heal from an injury” is on that list. Nicotine, the powerful chemical that makes tobacco so addictive, keeps your immune system from doing its job. Smoking also makes exercise more difficult because of the toll it takes on your cardiovascular system. Painkillers can also inhibit the healing process because they mask pain without treating the source. Use them when necessary, but don’t rely on them for a long- term solution if you can avoid it.

SPEAK! Too Much Yet Not Enough Rest is necessary for healing, but when you rest too much, you do more harm than good. Nursing an injury by using crutches for too long or favoring a limb encourages unhealthy movement and keeps your body from healing normally. On the other hand, not resting enough can be harmful. So be active but take it easy, and avoid spending hours on the couch or the treadmill. Physical therapy can help your body harness its healing power, but without a lifestyle change, you may actually be hurting your body. Add these three tips to your PT regimen to help your body heal as well — and as quickly — as possible.

eat can also affect your quality of life. Ingredients that cause inflammation — such as saturated fats, alcohol, and sugars — can increase pain in your joints and put extra strain on them. Instead, stick to a healthy diet of lean proteins, leafy greens, low-sugar fruits, and complex carbohydrates to give your body the boost it needs to heal. Making or breaking a habit can take weeks, so take it slow, understand that change is a process, and ask your physical therapist for advice. It may make your healing process more challenging, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.

Eat for Your Joints You already know that food is fuel for your body, but what you

HOW DOGS SAY ‘I LOVE YOU’

Being a dog can be rough. There are only so many hours in the day to play with a ball, you know? Plus, our humans don’t seem to understand what we’re saying half the time. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve trained Jim and Mary Ann pretty well, but it would certainly be easier if they could understand us! This month, we want to bridge the gap between canine-human communication and show you a few ways dogs say “I love you.” or a challenge. You shouldn’t make eye contact with a dog you don’t know. But when a dog looks into the eyes of a human they trust, it’s a sign of affection! When dogs look at their favorite humans, their brains release oxytocin, a hormone that helps new mothers bond with their babies. Looking our humans in the eye actually makes us love them even more! Dog Piles Dogs are pack animals. We like to be in physical contact with the members of our pack, and this includes you! Leaning against Eye Contact For dogs, direct eye contact can be a threat

your legs and cuddling are some ways dogs like to bond with their humans. Another sign of a dog’s love is at bedtime. If your dog wants to sleep up on the bed with you, it means they trust you and are comfortable enough to let their guard down completely.

Content Sighs A sigh can mean a lot of things. For

example, if you hear your partner sighing a lot, you better check the calendar and make sure you didn’t forget Valentine’s Day! Dogs can sigh for different reasons too. But if your dog settles in your lap or stretches out beside you and lets out a long, soft sigh, it’s a sign of contentment that means they really love you. Now you may be wondering how you can show your dog that you love them. That’s easy! With treats, walks, belly scratches, and ear rubs, of course!

– Mookie & Brice

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How PT Can Treat Overexertion The Most Common Workers’ Comp Case

Overexertion is the most common cause for someone to file for workers’ compensation. Over 25 percent of employees who file for workers’ comp do so because of injuries related to overexertion. Common tasks that lead to overexertion include lifting something heavy, working in an awkward position, holding or carrying something for long periods of time, throwing something, or reaching out suddenly. Signs of overexertion include fatigue, dehydration, and sharp pain.

Compared to other workplace injuries, overexertion doesn’t sound serious, but treatment for overexertion can be costly. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need x-rays, MRIs, medications, and possibly time away from work to recover. If you fail to seek proper treatment and recover after suffering from overexertion, your condition can become far worse. Chronic overexertion can severely damage your soft tissues, including your muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, blood vessels, and spinal discs. Proper rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and heat treatments can help your body recover from overexertion, but even after you’ve overexerted your back or neck, it is important to maintain your physical fitness. A physical therapist can be a great help in this regard by creating a custom workout routine that will gently ease you back into physical activity without aggravating your injury. Physical therapy is also beneficial for reducing pain from overexertion and improving your stretch to prevent future injuries. If you are going through a workers’ compensation case in Delaware, it’s important to remember you have the power to choose your own physicians. Getting the right care is crucial for your case and recovery. If you’re worried you aren’t getting the care you need, give Woodlyn PT a call at 302.366.7600. We have experience with people going through a workers’ comp case and can help in your recovery.

While cases of overexertion are most common in a manual labor field, like

construction, overexertion can impact everyone from nursing assistants to retail employees. After overextending herself and sustaining a neck injury when

diving down to rescue a bag of dropped french fries, a McDonald’s manager in Virginia was able to successfully pursue her workers’ comp case in 2015.

Spicy Salmon Tartare

The Word on Woodlyn

Ingredients

Inspired by Epicurious

• 1 8-ounce boneless, skinless salmon fillet • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice • 1/4 teaspoon lime zest • 1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and finely diced • 1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons shallots, minced

• 3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chives, minced • 1 1/2 teaspoons grape seed or vegetable oil • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste • Crackers or chips, for serving

“I was at a large “chain” therapy center for 8 months before I walked into WPT. I wasn’t getting better. A friend recommended Jim and his staff. I am now feeling great, and I have full use of my shoulder. You can’t go wrong with this place.” –Joe C. Ridley “Jim has the ability and skills to find the source of pain and treat it. I have been to other places and they haven’t given me the attention that Jim and his staff have. I feel great, and my back pain has gone away.” —Michael M.

Directions

1. Place salmon in freezer for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. 2. Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients for mixing. 3. Thinly slice salmon into sheets and cut sheets into strips and strips into cubes. When finished, you should have 1/8-inch cubes. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine salmon with all other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with chips or crackers and serve.

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WOODLYNPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM • 302.366.7600 1082 OLD CHURCHMANS RD • NEWARK, DE 19713

A Romantic First Date 1

Healing Tips: What Helps and What Hinders The Wisdom of Retrievers 2

The Dangers of Overexertion

Spicy Salmon Tartare 3

Adventure to the Lapland 4

Adventure in Swedish Lapland Into the Arctic Circle

If you’re eager for a new adventure in 2019, you’ll surely find it in Swedish Lapland. With trail systems that take you into the Arctic Circle, the northernmost region of Sweden is home to national parks, glaciers, reindeer, the beguiling midnight sun, and spectacular night skies. Though winters are cold, one benefit of traveling to the region in this season is to catch a glimpse of the night sky. The northern lights are visible from a few remote locations like Abisko National Park, one of the first established national parks in Sweden. Traveling to Abisko is an adventure in and of itself. From Stockholm, the fastest option is to take one of only two airlines that fly into Kiruna, then travel by train to Abisko. Despite the challenge of getting there, adventure-seeking visitors from around the world arrive each winter to experience the Arctic beauty. Winter attractions include ice skating, snowshoeing, and the Scandinavian sauna (this last one is a must any time of the year). Befriend a Scandinavian and you might be treated to some pickled herring or even a princess cake, a raspberry-filled dessert covered in marzipan.

both late spring and summer, as well as a chance to see

the midnight sun. Because of its far-north location, Swedish Lapland receives close to 24 hours of sunlight from June through early August. Between the boulder fields, mountains, and stunning glacial lakes, hiking here is a treat.

While hiking, you may spot reindeer herds or lemmings (a small rodent similar to a hamster) racing around rocks. The Sami people have herded reindeer for thousands of years through this very land. In the summer, keep an eye out for blueberries, lingonberries, and the brightly colored cloudberries. Because of the Arctic climate, weather conditions can change quickly from sunshine to rain and heavy fog, so it’s best to dress in layers and bring wind and rain protection if you plan to venture into the backcountry.

Scandinavians cherish their public lands, and the trail systems are well taken care of. Hikers and backpackers can enjoy the stunning beauty in

The fantastic scenery of Swedish Lapland awaits you, no matter when you decide to take your trip. What are you waiting for?

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