Physical Therapy Services, P.A. - June 2020
JUNE 2020
www.pt s tn.ne t 423-543-0073
EastTennessee Physical Therapy News
FROM THE DESK OF
DANNY D. SMITH
Everyone is affected by the coronavirus, so here are some tips to help you weather this storm. Follow the recommendations of the scientists and health care professionals. For example, if you are going outside (which I hope you are), around other people, or at the store, wear a mask. Masks and social distancing are the only proven methods for decreasiang the spread of the virus. Our office has been open on a limited basis since the shutdown. With Justin Smith, PT, DPT managing the office, and with his nursing background, we feel our staff and patients are safe. Every patient is screened as they come into the clinic, and if there is a suspected problem (such as elevated temperature), they are sent home. Should you have questions related to your physical therapy or the availability of our services, feel free to give us a call Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.,i at 423-543-0073 .
Unless you’ve been living under a rock since January, you know all about COVID-19, more commonly known as the coronavirus, and the global chaos it has caused, including massive quarantines, flight cancellations, and medical supply shortages. Understandably, people have since picked up new habits to avoid contracting the illness, like washing hands more thoroughly, wearing masks outdoors, and avoiding big crowds. Those are all good precautions, but according to The New York Times, there might be another strategy you can employ year-round to boost your immune system: regular exercise. If that surprises you, you’re not alone! Back in the 1980s, misleading research conducted on marathon participants spread the myth that a tough workout suppresses your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. However, in recent years, new studies on both mice and humans debunked that theory. In 2014, scientists at Umeå University in Sweden found that elite endurance athletes — the people you’d think would be sick all the time if hard workouts really did reduce immunity — actually took fewer sick days than athletes who exercised less. And in 2005, a study on mice showed that jogging for 30 minutes a day over several weeks made them more likely to survive rodent flu. What’s even more interesting is that according to The New York Times, a 2008 study conducted on mice in Germany suggested that rather than dying off during exercise, immune cells “traveled to the animals’ lungs, guts, and other parts of their bodies potentially most vulnerable to germ invasions during exercise” CAN EXERCISE STAVE OFF SICKNESS? Why Your Workout Routine Might Protect You From Infection
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destroy nearby tissues. As Fitness andWellness News puts it, “Constant movement of the allergens through the bloodstream prevents these delicate tissues from becoming inflamed.”One of the best movements for allergy sufferers is swimming because it’s a great full-body workout and the humid air is gentle on the lungs. With hay fever and other pollen allergies in full swing, now might be the perfect time to start a new routine. If you do decide to start exercising more regularly, just remember not to overdo it right away. Going from entirely sedentary to training like a marathon runner overnight actually can be damaging to your body because the change is such a shock — you might end up sick as a result! Instead, ease yourself into your new workout regimen by adding a bit more duration and/or intensity to your sessions over time. Also, if you’re already feeling sick or suffering from severe allergies, do yourself and others a favor and stay home. Going out when you’re under the weather will just spread your germs to other people trying to stay healthy. Here’s the bottom line: While it’s been proven to help, exercise isn’t a silver bullet for preventing or controlling illness. It’s still smart to take other common-sense precautions against illnesses like the flu and COVID-19, like washing your hands regularly (including before and after you work out), getting enough sleep at night, and avoiding people who are coughing or sneezing.
before returning to the bloodstream. Basically, exercise helped the mice become even better illness-fighting machines!
On top of staving off illnesses like the flu, there’s evidence that working out can help control allergy symptoms. Fitness andWellness News reports that the link between the two comes down to blood flow. When you exercise, your blood flow speeds up, which moves allergens more quickly through your body so your kidneys can eliminate them. On the contrary, sedentary living encourages allergens to stay put and
A ‘Silver’ Bullet
Attorneys General Stand Firm Against Snake Oil
Jim Bakker dominated headlines in the late 1980s with his legal troubles, and now the televangelist is facing a new lawsuit in 2020. The original story of Bakker’s fall begins on a TV set. Bakker and his wife at the time, Tammy Faye Messner, hosted the popular evangelical talk show “The PTL Club” from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s. However, their reign came crashing down when Bakker resigned after being accused of offering money to church secretary Jessica Hahn to cover up rape allegations. Bakker was later convicted of scamming thousands of viewers out of millions of dollars, and he spent several years in prison. Today, Bakker hosts “The Jim Bakker Show” and leads Morningside Church in Missouri. While freedom of religion is protected in the U.S., a recent promotion on Bakker’s show caught the attention of attorneys nationwide.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic found its way to the U.S., many people stocked up on emergency medical supplies. For some, this meant purchasing colloidal silver “cures” that were promised to kill the virus. Supplements, pills, and oils with no scientific evidence of their efficacy were sold to consumers until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent cease-and-desist orders to seven manufacturers in March 2020. One such product involved was Sherrill Sellman’s Silver Solution. Sellman, a self- described naturopathic doctor and mind- body psychologist who appeared on Bakker’s show on Feb. 12, proclaimed Silver Solution is a cure for the coronavirus. Bakker promoted the product and later sold it through his website. The Missouri and New York attorneys general caught wind of this scheme and immediately filed cease-and-desist orders, and even a
lawsuit, against Bakker. NPR explains that Bakker and his church are in violation of state laws by “falsely promising consumers that Silver Solution can cure, eliminate, kill, or deactivate coronavirus.” Bakker stopped selling Silver Solution in mid- March 2020. Even as the lawsuit continues to move through the court system, the message is clear: The justice system is cracking down on the sale of snake oil.
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3 Tips for Good Brain Health From Harvard Medical School KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNG
1. GET A GOODWORKOUT.
As we age, our bodies change, including our mental functions. Cognitive decline is one of the biggest fears of aging, but it’s not inevitable. Though we’re still learning new things about how our brains work, there’s a lot of scientific research that shows how to keep your brain young. If you want to keep your mind sharp throughout your lifetime, then follow this advice from Harvard Medical School.
Publishing urges readers to maintain good mental health and get restful sleep, as they are “certainly important goals” for improving cognitive function and overall well-being.
Exercising regularly helps all the muscles and organs in your body, even your brain! A good workout can lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels, which help your brain and your heart. Harvard Health Publishing, a website of Harvard Medical School, also notes that “animals who exercise regularly increase the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the region of the brain that is responsible for thought.”
3. STAY CONNECTED.
It’s not enough to focus on yourself. In order to maintain your long-term cognitive health, you should also focus on your connections with other people. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Strong social ties have been associated with a lower risk of dementia, as well as lower blood pressure and longer life expectancy.”Make new friends, stay in touch with family members, and maintain positive relationships in your life. They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is certainly true when it comes to your brain health. Do what you can today to protect your mental functions tomorrow.
2. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.
Poor mental health can lead to impaired cognitive function. Chronic anxiety, depression, and exhaustion tend to cause low scores on cognitive function tests. But test scores aren’t necessarily a sign of future cognitive decline, and Harvard Health
Take a Break!
INGREDIENTS GRILLED BASIL CHICKEN AND TOMATOES Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
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1 clove garlic
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8 Roma tomatoes
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1/2 tsp salt
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4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 oz each)
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3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
DIRECTIONS
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For marinade: In blender, combine olive oil, garlic, salt, vinegar, and basil. Cut 2 tomatoes into quarters and add to mixture. Cover and process until blended. Halve remaining tomatoes for grilling. In bowl, combine chicken and 2/3 cup marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Reserve remaining marinade.
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Heat grill to about 350–400 F. Lightly oil grates. Grill chicken until internal temperature reads 165 F, about 4–6 minutes per side. Grill tomatoes until lightly browned, about 2–4 minutes per side. Discard remaining marinade. Serve chicken and tomatoes with reserved marinade.
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423-543-0073 • 3
1975 West Elk Ave. Elizabethton, TN 37643 423-543-0073
1500 West Elk Ave. Elizabethton, TN 37643 423-543-2215
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P hysical T herapy S ervices , P.A.
Inside This Issue From the Desk of Dr. Smith PAGE 1 Can Working Out Protect You From a Virus? PAGE 1 Televangelist Facing Legal Trouble After Selling COVID-19 ‘Cure’ PAGE 2 Harvard’s Tips to Keep Your Brain Young PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes PAGE 3 Why a Home Exercise Program Is Vital to
Healing PAGE 4
WHY YOUR AT-HOME PHYSICAL THERAPY EXERCISES MATTER FOR HEALING Do Your Homework!
Seeking rehabilitation through physical therapy can be one of the wisest choices you make for your health, well-being, and life. But committing to a physical therapy routine is much more than just showing up for your appointments.
YOUR AT-HOME WORKOUT, OR HOME EXERCISE PROGRAM, IS JUST AS IMPORTANT.
Additionally, doing your at-home routine while you are in physical therapy prepares you for life after this therapy ends. As much as we love seeing you at your appointments, you’re bound to return to the real world and not see us quite as often. That is the goal, after all! But in order to continue a healthy lifestyle, you have to continue moving your joints and body in a healthy way. Your at-home exercises are a great first step, and your therapist can offer progressions to continue challenging you when those moves become second nature to you and your body. Like many things in life, physical therapy comes with a need for dedication, but any physical therapist’s goal is to make this process as easy for you as possible. If you’re struggling to commit to your at-home exercises or if you need additional instruction, talk to your therapy team. We can help you gain the confidence you need to crush those at-home exercises and get you back to the activities you love.
Working out may seem counterproductive to healing, but your home exercise program is designed specifically for your ailments. Your physical therapist will tailor an exercise routine for you and teach you the moves while offering specific advice and providing tools to guide you through each movement. If you can commit to doing your home exercise programon a regular basis, then youmay just reap the benefit of healing faster. Think about it this way: Physical therapy heals throughmovement, yet you typically do not see your physical therapist for this healingmovement every single day. While rest is vital to the healing process, continuing to keep your joints limber, moving, and functioning at their best is also key! So, by sticking to your home exercise program, you are effectively supplementing the extensive care your therapist provides for you at each appointment.
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