PRO PT PRESS
October 2021
Fear No More Getting Rid of Apprehensions This Halloween
patient may have. It’s amazing to watch patients who may be slightly agitated due to the pain they are experiencing instantly feel better and less grumpy, just by chatting with the front desk staff. Here, we bend over backward to help the client feel at home and relaxed to take their mind off of their therapy. Our clinicians work in teams and work diligently to get to know each patient well. We have fun with our patients during their sessions. We talk about football, their family, events, vacations, and activities. We strive to understand exactly what the patient is feeling and how it impacts their life. Our clinicians not only want to fix the problem, but we also want to make a friend along the way, and this is a breath of fresh air for our clients. Most of our therapists have been patients before. In fact, for many, it’s what brought them to the profession. They had positive experiences as a patient, and it excited them about the field. Having been the patient before, we are able to step into the client’s shoes and really understand what they are feeling and experiencing. Making therapy not just about therapy and truly understanding the stressors and pains of the patient works wonders in eradicating the initial fear some clients feel about physical therapy. We are more than happy to help every single client overcome the fear of visiting the office. We offer a few free consultations each month to provide our clients the opportunity to discuss and explore their needs and devise a treatment plan. During a consultation, patients also get the chance to explore additional treatments such as laser treatments, which can make a world of difference in many conditions. With chronic conditions like arthritis, where flare ups occur, laser therapy is a simple and painless treatment that comes with no fear attached. Our 50% off biannual sale this month also makes considering laser treatments more enticing and enjoyable. We welcome you to come back and join or rejoin the family to explore all of the many ways we can help — or just stop by to say hi!
Halloween brings all of the goblins, ghosts, and ghouls out to play, and you’re sure to run into something scary whether you’re out trick-or-treating with the kids, checking out a haunted house, or snuggled up at home watching a movie. Fears are natural — we all have them. However, there are certain fears that you don’t have to spend your time worrying about.
For me, one of my biggest fears is snakes. It doesn’t matter what type or size of snake it is; they petrify me. Growing up, we lived within walking distance of a movie theater, and I used to go all the time. I’d see any movie, good or bad, because why not? In 1973, a movie titled, “Sssssss” came out, and it featured a college student working on a serum that could transform people into snakes. Well, I saw the movie, and I really shouldn’t have because it really terrified me. There were snakes everywhere! To really add to it, shortly after, in the news, I saw a story about a lady who was sitting on the toilet and got bitten on the butt by a snake. It was official — I was scarred for life. As I write this today, I saw another news story about a woman in Texas who found a python in her toilet overnight, and the thought still skeeves me out. It’s a fear that I’ll never be able to shake. Oftentimes, people are scared to go to the dentist, doctor, or physical therapist, and this fear sometimes prevents them from going when they need to. With physical therapy, patients may feel that because they are in pain, their treatment will be very serious and focused only on that area of the body. In our office, we recognize this apprehension and do everything possible to eradicate it. Our patients are like family. In fact, one of our core values at Professional Physical Therapy is to treat everyone like family. Thus, visiting our office is a very personal experience.
Happy Halloween!
–Dr. Stacey Raybuck Schatz
When clients enter the practice and check in at the front desk, our team makes it a point to engage them, become pals, and work to ease any tensions the
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PATIENT of the MONTH
Feel Yourself Taking a Tumble?
Glen Gomes
TRY THESE TRICKS TO PROTECT YOUR BRAIN!
Taking a fall is one of the most common causes of a deadly traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is a pretty scary statistic, considering 1 in 10 adults fall at least once a year, and we all live in a world filled with tripping hazards! Not every fall is deadly, but about 1 in 5 can cause a serious injury. Fortunately, you can do a few things to protect your brain if you feel yourself starting to tumble. The insurance company Lawley recommends these: • Tucking your chin and lowering your head • Turning your head to the side if you’re falling face first • Protecting your head with your arms while keeping your arms and legs bent to spread out the impact (Don’t fall on only your arms or hands — you could break them!) • Trying to land on your side
“I chose the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association because my aunt, Hazel Davis, loved this charity. I have had family members who have suffered from this disease. My twin brother, Greg Gomes, suffered a stroke. I have lost my uncle Julius Davis, uncle John Ritter, and my father Elvin Ritter all from heart/stroke disease. So, on their behalf, I would like to thank you for making this donation to the American Heart and American Stroke Association.” -Glen Glen has been in physical therapy after having a significant surgery and has been working hard to regain his strength, his ability to walk unassisted, and to manage the pain. He brings his positive attitude and strong work ethic with him each day to the clinic (as well as with his exercises at home), all while encouraging others in recovery as he works on his own. In recognition of this attitude, Glen is October’s Patient of the Month. Keep up the strong work, Glen! We at Professional Physical Therapy would be honored to donate to the charity of your choice if you become our next Patient of the Month!
• Relaxing your body • Rolling after impact
In addition to TBIs, many falls also cause hip fractures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports over 800,000 patients are hospitalized because of fall injuries — almost always for TBIs or hip fractures — every single year. To prevent those, try to make sure your floors at home are clutter-free and be careful on ice during winter. Of course, these techniques are a last resort. Ideally, you should prevent falls long before you feel yourself teetering: Strengthen the muscles that help you balance on your feet, like your core, lower back, and legs with simple home exercises. You can visit NHS.uk/ Live-Well/Exercise/Balance-Exercises for an easy visual guide or turn to a physical therapist for help. If you’re young and athletic, you may not need a PT, but physical therapy can be a great option for older adults already experiencing balance problems or people recovering from an illness or injury. In these cases, it’s best to work with a professional to ensure you don’t hurt yourself in your quest for better balance! They’ll create a customized treatment plan for you, which will protect you from overdoing it.
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body image that we worked hard to achieve, but robbing your body of proper nutrition is counterproductive and can create more problems than benefits down the road. Medical Attention Sometimes, illnesses and injuries creep up on us. Our bodies can get weak and run down, and our immune systems, joints, and muscles may not be able to keep up. Regular checkups can catch and prevent an ailment before it becomes a serious problem, and listening to your body can reduce the chances of getting hurt. If you do happen to get sick or hurt, waiting it out is not the best option. Allowing a sickness to wreak havoc on your system in hopes that it will just pass can cause long-term damage. Listening to your body is key. Rest Some good shut eye is important for our bodies. There are many benefits to be had from a good night’s sleep, including better awareness, improved memory, better athletic ability, higher amounts of energy, and a better mood. It is recommended that people get 7–9 hours of sleep every night, but this varies for every individual. Physical self-care encompasses many different variables, and finding that proper balance tailored to your individual needs is key! Take care of your body so it can take care of you!
type of exercise, you could potentially be adding more stress to your daily life instead of relieving it. Depending on your likes and needs, some will find high- contact sports such as football, hockey, or boxing relaxing and stress-relieving, while others will opt for yoga, Pilates, or running. Sometimes, a happy mixture of both is the sweet spot! Experiment with different exercises of your choice to find out what you enjoy most! Nutrition Proper nutrition can be tricky for many. When it comes to self-care, the focus of your nutrition needs to be nourishment rather than restriction. It is paramount to ensure that you are providing your body with all the essential nutrients and vitamins that it needs to thrive, not restricting it by means of diets and fads. Yes, we all would like to drop a few pounds or maintain the
Pain Relief and Healing With Laser Therapy
Slow Cooker Squash, Kale, and Sausage Soup
Inspired by SugarAndSoul.co
Newsletter Offer Only — 50%Off Laser Packages
This healthy, savory soup is the perfect lunch for a cool fall day.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 4 Italian chicken sausages, sliced to bite-size pieces • 6 cloves garlic • 1 onion, chopped • 6–7 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 cups chicken broth • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 3 cups kale, chopped • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
Laser therapy may sound a tad intimidating and foreign, but in reality, it is likely one of the most simple procedures you can undergo to achieve some serious results! Oftentimes, when you get injured, it can seem like you are just sitting around twiddling your thumbs, waiting to heal. To speed things up and achieve some pain relief, we offer a Class IV Lightforce Laser, which focuses light to jumpstart a biological cascade of events to stimulate healing and pain relief. In honor of October’s National Physical Therapy Month and because we want you to achieve relief right away, we are offering 50% off of our laser packages! Call us today at 508-528-6100 to secure your discount!
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook 4–5 minutes, stirring often, then remove from the pot and set aside. 2. Add garlic and onion to the pot. Sauté 4–5 minutes. Add squash, salt, and pepper. Sauté 8 minutes. 3. In a slow cooker, combine sautéed vegetables, sausage, chicken broth, and seasonings. Cook on low heat for 3 hours and 30 minutes. 4. Open the pot and add the kale. Cook another 20 minutes, then add the red wine vinegar and stir to combine. Cook 10 more minutes, then serve and enjoy!
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620 Old West Central St. Franklin, MA 02038 www.proptinc.com 508-528-6100
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Inside This Issue
1
No More Apprehensions This Halloween
2
Patient of the Month: Glen Gomes
Tips for Protecting Your Brain in a Fall
3
Slow Cooker Squash, Kale, and Sausage Soup
4
The Importance of Physical Self-Care
No, It’s Not Selfish! TUNING IN TO PHYSICAL SELF-CARE The longest relationship in life is with yourself. Your body serves you, and sometimes, it requires your attention. We spend most of our lives looking out for the well- being of our family and friends, but we can’t forget ourselves! Physical self-care encompasses a large variety of actions, activities, and components that build upon your physical health. Physical neglect comes in all shapes and sizes. Failing to seek medical attention when necessary, not getting in that workout because you “can’t find the time,” and not providing your body with proper food and nutrition are all ways we sometimes put our physical health on the back burner. Proper exercise, nutrition, medical attention, and rest are all essential aspects of taking care of yourself physically. You CAN find the time. Exercise Exercise plays a crucial role in physical health. Many times, individuals may feel that exercise is a chore or something that they have to do. If you are not enjoying the
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