Physical Therapy Doctor - March 2020

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March 2020

ON THE MOVE

JUST A NUMBER

I turn 47 this month, and all I really want is a nice, peaceful birthday. Still, given my busy life, that might be too much to ask — running a clinic and being a father aren’t jobs that give you much pause. I’m not complaining though; I may be aging, but that doesn’t mean I’m getting weaker. On the contrary, I’m becoming more fit than I’ve been in years. You see, this year, I decided I was going to do a Spartan Race. For those who aren’t familiar, these footraces are grueling obstacle courses that test every aspect of your physical fitness. There’s mud, monkey bars, and climbing walls standing between runners and the finish line, meaning I have my work cut out for me. Honestly, it’s best that I have such a challenge hanging over my head.

I learned this in my 20s when I got it into my head that I wanted to learn how to do a backflip. I had a friend who could teach me, and it ended up taking months of work. I ended up learning a lot about gymnastics and the human body along the way — things I simply wouldn’t have picked up if I didn’t have a fun, challenging goal ahead of me. My work in physical therapy has only deepened my belief in this kind of motivation. Every day, we get to work with people striving toward their own goals, from keeping up with their grandkids to being able to stand up from the canasta table without pain. Being able to see these goals become reality is a constant source of inspiration. In a very real way, working with you drives me to do better myself.

“Every day, we get to work with people striving toward their own goals, from being able to keep up with their grandkids to being able to stand up from the canasta table without pain.”

Ultimately, I’m not subjecting myself to the grueling challenge of the Spartan Race for the bragging rights; I’m doing it to stay healthy. As a physical therapist, I’m all too aware of the perils of being idle at my age, and the last thing I want to be is a hypocrite. After all, how can I ask you to do your exercises if I don’t stick to a similar routine myself? But I know how my mind works and how I’m motivated: I need a challenge in front of me to really stick to a routine. This may not be true for everyone, but I’ve found simply exercising for exercise’s sake is a recipe for failure. It makes me feel adrift and directionless. I’m one of those people who needs clear landmarks to track my progress and get me to the next milestone. So, when picking a goal to strive for, why not go big while having some fun along the way?

For instance, we worked with a gentleman who’d been a longtime bowler. While knee replacement surgery had kept him away from the lanes, we were able to work with him and get him back to bowling a perfect game! It’s moments like this one that prove to me that age is just a number. It’s all about how you take care of your body.

So here’s to 47 and all the fun challenges that await me this year!

–Dr. Robert Morea

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WHA T ’ S U P W I T H M I L I A ?

DIGGING INTO THIS COMMON SKIN ISSUE

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THEM?

No, milia isn’t the newest celebrity guest on “Dancing With the Stars.” Sometimes called milk spots, milia are the tiny white bumps

First, avoid the temptation to squeeze or pop the little bumps. This will only damage your skin further and won’t remove the milia. Milia will often go away on their own, but a few things can help speed up that process or even prevent them. Because milia are caused by trapped dead skin cells, gentle exfoliation can treat them and prevent them from cropping up in the first place. Make sure you take off makeup before bed and cleanse your skin properly to help reduce buildup on your face. Also, opt for lightweight moisturizers rather than heavy creams, especially around the eyes. You can also turn to a skincare professional to safely remove the bumps.

most of us have probably noticed on our skin at some point. While they may look similar to whiteheads, they aren’t the same, so before you take to squeezing and popping, here’s what you need to know. WHAT ARE THEY? Milia are cysts made up of entrapped keratin, a type of protein that makes up skin, hair, and nails. When dead skin cells get trapped beneath the skin, they appear as small white or yellowish bumps. They often show up around the eyes, nose, and cheeks but can appear on other areas of the body as well.

WHAT CAUSES THEM? While many different things can contribute to the formation of

As dermatologist Dr. Anjali Mahto points out, milia are often the result of sun damage, so another tip to prevent them is to avoid overexposure to the sun. Wear protective layers and hats, and make sunscreen a part of your daily routine, even in winter.

milia, one of the main sources is skin damage. Sun damage, in particular, is a big contributor to milia formation. Heavy creams or harsh products used around the eye area may cause milia on the eyelids specifically.

20 19 HOL I DAY BASH

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MARCH RIDDLES

T AND AN ISLAND What do the letter T and an island have in common? BRIDGES AND CROWNS I build bridges of silver and crowns of gold. Who am I? Solutions are available in the clinic, so make sure to drop by to check your answers!

A Look Back REMEMBER ‘73?

With Robert celebrating his birthday this month, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at the year when it all began.

In the world of music, 1973 saw the rise of genre-defining albums and performing artists whose influences are still felt today. On Jan. 5, for example, a band of “bad boys” from Boston released their first studio record “Aerosmith.” Not to be overshadowed, Pink Floyd introduced the world to the “Dark Side of the Moon” that spring. Meanwhile, right here in New York, artists like DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and DJ Disco Wiz were laying the foundations of hip-hop. While we can see the impact of these musical movements in hindsight, they were very much cutting edge for the time. What was the average person up to in ‘73? Sadly, many young Americans had been overseas fighting in Vietnam, but 1973 finally brought them home. The cease-fire came into effect in January, and a generation was finally able to reenter civilian life. On the homefront, gas was just 40 cents a gallon, a full 5 cents less than a carton of eggs at the time. Some of the most popular toys included roller skates and transistor radios, while shows like “M*A*S*H” and “The Odd Couple” dominated the airwaves. Gangster movies were in their heyday at this point, with “The Godfather” winning best picture at the 45th annual Academy Awards — beating out “American Graffiti,” a coming-of-age movie that put a young filmmaker named George Lucas on the map. 1973 was also a banner year for sports. The Mets won the National League championship, though they would lose out to Oakland in Game 7 of the World Series. The Knicks took home the NBA Championship title, while the Dolphins won Super Bowl VII. But by far, the biggest event was the Sep. 20 “Battle of the Sexes” between tennis stars Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which is still the most- watched match in the sport’s history. Billie Jean clenched a 6–4, 6–4, 6–3 victory, inspiring the next generation of women athletes.

Recipe of the Month:

Inspired by RealFoodWithJessica.com

ORANGE GLAZED SALMON

Keep dinner light, simple, and easy with this paleo-friendly recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• • • • •

2 salmon fillets (10 oz total)

• •

Zest from 1 orange

1 tsp salt

1/3 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice

2 tbsp ghee

1 tsp tapioca starch

1 tbsp garlic, minced

1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 425 F, and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. 2. Salt each fillet with 1/2 tsp salt. Bake for 6–8 minutes. 3. In a saucepan, combine ghee and garlic and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. 4. Add rosemary, zest, and juice. Cook for another 3 minutes. 5. Stir in tapioca starch until lumps disappear and mixture thickens. 6. Plate salmon and top with orange sauce.

All in all, it was an eventful year full of new beginnings, the influences of which are still being felt today!

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718.747.2019

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Hours of Operation: M, F 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | T, Th 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | W 9 a.m.–3 p.m. theptdoctor.com

INSIDE Robert’s Big Day

Tackling a Common Skin Issue

2019 Holiday Bash

Orange Glazed Salmon

Remember 1973?

3 Eco-Friendly Home Swaps to Make During Spring-Cleaning

Your Guide to Spring- Greening 3 Eco-Friendly Home Swaps to Make When You Declutter It takes a special kind of person to enjoy spring-cleaning. For most of us, the satisfaction of a clean house doesn’t quite outweigh the hours of scrubbing, sorting, and slogging through heaps of unnecessary stuff. If you’re struggling to find the motivation to start your spring-cleaning, try flipping the paradigm: Instead of spring-cleaning, think of what you’re doing as spring-greening, and make some eco-friendly swaps along the way. Here are a few ideas to get you started. According to a Statista report, in 2019, the household cleaners market was worth more than $31 billion, and it’s continuously growing. You can save money on cleaning supplies by taking the green route. When your current stock runs out, try buying bulk cleaners or making your own. Both options will save plastic because you can reuse your bottles, and they can help you avoid the harmful chemicals found in most cleaners. Visit UnderATinRoof.com and read the blog post “Zero Waste Cleaning Supplies + Recipes” to get started. 2. EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE LAUNDRY DETERGENTS. If you’re used to using a plastic jug of liquid laundry detergent, it’s time to step out of your comfort zone. This spring, try exploring greener 1. SWAP YOUR PLASTIC SPRAY BOTTLES FOR BULK OR DIY CLEANING PRODUCTS.

alternatives like plant-based bulk laundry powder (Molly’s Suds is an excellent source). Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even try adding all-natural cleaners like soap nuts or English ivy to your laundry loads. For more on the former, search “soap nuts” on 1MillionWomen. com, and read up on ivy detergent at Permacrafters.com/English-Ivy- Laundry-Detergent. 3. SAY GOODBYE TO PAPER TOWELS. Paper towels are a mainstay in American homes, but do we really need them when a good old-fashioned rag can do the job? According to the Ocean Conservancy, 13 billion pounds of paper towels are tossed in the U.S. each year! This spring, quit paper towels and keep a stash of dish rags under the sink to do your dirty work. When you’re cleaning out your closet, you can even cut up old T-shirts and add them to your rag stash! If you’re brave, try giving up tissues, too — an old-school hanky does the trick.

If you’ve made all three of these swaps, don’t stop there! To continue your green journey, visit any of the blogs mentioned above and start browsing.

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