NEWS Somerset Family 732-356-5363 information@somersetfamilypt.com www.somersetfamilypt.com
Spring 2018
What Matters Most CELEBRATING FAMILY AND THE NEW YEAR
Happy New Year, everyone!
A Yankee swap is similar to a white elephant gift exchange. Each person brings a wrapped, unmarked gift and places it in the designated swapping area. Guests are given numbers as they arrive, and they are able to select and unwrap gifts in that order. Each time someone unwraps a gift, they are given the option to either keep the gift or swap it for another opened gift. Swapping takes place until each gift has been opened, and then the person who opened the first gift is able to either make one last swap or keep what they have. In the end, you take home the gift you hold after the last swap. I couldn’t tell you what I took home that year, but the whole experience was hilarious and a lot of fun. Afterward, we ate an early traditional meal of ziti, ham, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and cookies. At the end of the night, everyone gathered in the living room to share stories, and most of us fell asleep on the floor before anyone had a chance to go home. The Christmas of 1994 reminds me of the good ol’ days when everyone lived close together and it was easy to see each other for the holidays. In the moment, you never consider that the Christmas you are currently celebrating might be the last one where everyone is able to get together. When I think back on those memories, it’s easy to appreciate the times my family can be together, and it goes to show that even though it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, we must always focus on what truly matters most.
OFFICE NEWS First, I want to thank everyone who donated to our Toys for Tots drive. We were able to give over 100 toys to local children in need this Christmas thanks to your support. We look forward to hosting the drive again this year, and we hope to help even more children in need. Currently, we are offering 20 percent off our Move Free and Fit 4 Life programs until April 1. Move Free is our fall prevention and balance program where we focus on improving balance and reinforcing new movement habits before strengthening the entire body. Fit 4 Life is our general fitness program, geared toward correcting and improving specific body mechanics and strengthening correct movement patterns. Both programs are great for individuals looking to focus on health and wellness this year. Please call our office at 732-356-5363 for more information and to register. ON A PERSONAL NOTE As I was enjoying the holiday season with my family, I was reminded of a special time in my life when my entire family was able to celebrate together for Christmas. If I could go back in time and relive one day of my life, it would be the Christmas of 1994, which was the last holiday celebration I had with my grandparents and the entire family. Back then, my family celebrated Christmas at my mom’s house. That year, we hosted my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was a packed house. Since there were so many of us and it would have been impossible to buy everyone a gift without breaking the bank, we held a Yankee swap.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year’s. We look forward to seeing you soon.
–Kevin Kurtz
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Get Your Kids to Eat Healthier Than Ever Do your kids get enough nutrients in their diet? If they’re like most kids, the answer is probably no. You want your children to eat more vegetables and less processed junk, but that’s easier said than done. Getting the average kid to chow down on a serving of broccoli is a chore. — make a mean substitute for spaghetti. Pair them with your favorite marinara sauce or toss them in a slightly less decadent, but still delicious, alfredo.
Vegetables can also be incorporated into other foods your children already know and love. Did you know you can make brownies with avocado and black beans? Slipping in a few healthier ingredients here and there can deliver the nutrients your kids need to power through a busy school week. If you want to foster long-lasting healthy eating habits, the best thing you can do is offer your child some agency. For example, saying to your child, “You can have the cauliflower or the broccoli. It’s up to you!” empowers them to make their own decision based on their preferences. Psychologists and social scientists, including the famed Dr. Maria Montessori, argue that when kids feel in charge of a decision, they are more likely to embrace the ability to choose, even if it’s between two kinds of vegetables. Ultimately, as a parent, you are in control of your child’s diet. Help them explore new foods and foster a positive culinary environment. Your kids will develop a taste for healthy eating in no time!
Food manufacturers have built an entire industry around our kids’ penchant for sugary cereal and fast food. However, a diet of processed foods can lead to a host of problems, including hindered brain development and even behavioral issues. A study in the American Journal of Public Health found links between poor diet and the development of depression in kids and teens. So, how can you encourage your kids to eat healthier foods? One way is through presentation. A mound of plain old veggies is unappealing, whether you’re 10 years old or 40. The solution is to think of vegetables as an ingredient rather than as a stand-alone dish. Take lasagna, for instance. You can easily modify this beloved Italian dish. Instead of using lasagna noodles, slice zucchini into thin, noodle-like strips and layer them as you would typical pasta. The same can be done for other pasta dishes. Zucchini noodles made with a spiralizer — also known as “zoodles”
My PT Story “When I began my treatment at SFPT in May of 2017, I was three months into recovering from a major car accident that left me with broken bones in most of my extremities, ranging from minor fractures to severe breaks that required metal implants for internal fixation. At the time, I had serious doubts as to whether I would be able to walk again without assistance, let alone participate in the athletic activities that I enjoyed. Now, five months later, I am walking without assistance and am well on my way to regaining the ability to participate in activities that I love. More importantly, I am ‘getting back to my old life.’ This can all be attributed to Kevin, Aditi, Diego, and the rest of the amazing staff at SFPT. While both the physical therapy and fitness programs are extremely rigorous, the family atmosphere keeps it light and fun and is something I always look forward to. I cannot thank SFPT enough for all they have done for me, both mentally and physically. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing physical therapy or seeking a great personal fitness program.” –Peter H.
Do you love Somerset Family Physical Therapy? Refer a friend to SFPT and receive an entry to win a $100 gift card when they become a new patient. REFER A FRIEND! Somerset Family Physical Therapy
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PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY
When conservative treatments fail, total hip replacements (arthroplasties) are performed for those suffering from severe arthritis or hip fractures. The goal of total hip replacement surgery is to relieve pain, improve joint mobility, and restore or improve the ability to safely perform functional activities. Total hip replacement surgery removes damaged bone and cartilage from a painful hip and replaces it with a prosthetic or artificial hip. In order to prepare your body for surgery and to give you the best chance at a fast recovery, your physical therapist will teach you flexibility and strengthening exercises for your lower extremities, as well as how to use a walker or crutches. You may also be instructed not to bend your hip more than 90 degrees, bend forward 90 degrees, BEFORE SURGERY
cross your leg with your new hip, or turn the leg with the new hip inward. Your physical therapist may also recommend changes in your home to assist with your healing (raised toilet seat, handrails on stairs, or tub seat).
As you get stronger, you will work on walking and stair climbing, balance, full movement of your leg and new hip, and specific muscle strengthening exercises to improve your ability to stand and walk safely. Even after you leave the hospital, it is important to continue your exercises at home to ensure a full recovery.
AFTER SURGERY
After surgery, you will experience stiffness in the hip and leg and muscle weakness for 4–6 weeks. Pain is primarily treated with medication at first, and your physical therapist may also use ice packs to help reduce discomfort. On the second day after surgery, your physical therapist will come to your bedside and begin your treatment. You will learn how to turn in bed and get into a sitting position, get out of bed and move to a chair, walk with an assistive device, and perform gentle range-of-motion exercises.
Have a Laugh!
Granola Pistachio Goji Berry
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup rolled oats • 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil • 3 tablespoons maple syrup • 1/3 cup pistachios, chopped
• 1/4 cup coconut flakes • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • 1/3 cup goji berries
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat a large skillet over low heat. Add oats in a thin layer and toast for 1–2 minutes. Add coconut oil and salt, then stir. Continue toasting for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. 2. Add maple syrup 1 tablespoon at a time; stir to coat.
3. Once oats are toasted, add pistachios, coconut flakes, and cinnamon. Cook slowly until pistachios and coconut flakes are toasted but not burned, for about 5 minutes. 4. Remove from pan and stir in goji berries. 5. Let cool and enjoy as a snack or on top of your yogurt! Recipe courtesy of LoveAndLemons.com.
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14 Worlds Fair Drive, Suite M Somerset, NJ 08873 Phone: 732-356-5363 Fax: 732-356-5364 Email: information@somersetfamilypt.com Somerset Family Physical Therapy
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Focus on What Matters Most PAGE 1
Trick Your Kids Into Healthy Eating Patient Success Story PAGE 2 Total Hip Replacement Therapy Start the Day Right With This Granola PAGE 3
The Time Is Right for Nicaragua PAGE 4
Escape to Nicaragua The Country That Has Something for Everyone speeds as they teeter and try not to fall. In fact, it’s almost impossible to travel anywhere in the country without seeing an “I boarded a volcano” T-shirt. If relaxing on a pearlescent beach is more your speed, take a short boat trip out to the Corn Islands. There, you can amble around the small towns bordering the shockingly blue Pacific, visit a number of laid-back seafood restaurants, get scuba certified for a fraction of the price anywhere else in the world, or just read your book as you swing in a hammock by the waves. You can also visit the gorgeous, alabaster Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in “new” Léon. The biggest church in all of Central America, this unique Baroque and neoclassicist structure was built in 1814. Visitors can climb onto its roof (as long as they don’t wear shoes) and bask in the view of surrounding volcanoes (including Cerro Negro). If you’re planning on heading to Nicaragua, it’s best to do it soon. Neighbor Costa Rica often overflows with tourists, and instead of wading through the crowds there, many travelers are catching on to what Nicaragua has to offer.
After the hectic holiday season, many of us feel like we need
another vacation just to unwind. Luckily, January and February are two of the best months to travel. Flight prices plummet and crowds
thin out after the Christmas rush.
If you’re looking to escape the dreary winter weather, there’s no better place to visit this season than Nicaragua, the “Central American country that has it all,” as Condé Nast Traveler puts it. Whether you’re looking to explore the rainforests surrounding the Río San Juan or get lost in the quirky-yet-beautiful architecture of Granada, there’s something for everyone in this tropical wonderland. One must-see destination is the Cerro Negro volcano. Just a baby at 150 years old, it’s one of the most active volcanoes in the region. It only takes about an hour to scale its smoking, black gravel surface, and the verdant forests surrounding the peak are a sight to behold. Adventurous travelers can board down the side, reaching ludicrous
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