Check out our December newsletter!
December 2019
MADDEN Monthly A Hiking Surprise PHYSICAL THERAPY DAN SHOCKS MARIA WITH A PROPOSAL
This October, Maria and I had the opportunity to hike through the gorgeous desert landscape of southern Utah. After dating for the past 2 1/2 years, we were fielding many questions about whether this would be the trip where we finally got engaged. Coworkers and patients at Gilbert Physical Therapy, where Maria works, asked her if she thought a proposal was going to happen while we were in Utah. I had the clever idea to make sure it didn’t happen on our vacation — instead, I surprised her a week earlier. To train for our big trip to Utah, Maria and I had been hiking throughout Pennsylvania. The weekend before the big trip, we headed to Ricketts Glen State Park to climb through gullies of waterfalls shaded by trees. That morning, it was raining, and for as sure as I was that Maria was going to say “yes” to my upcoming proposal, I began to wonder if the rain was a bad omen. But the weather eventually cleared up, and after taking a look at the map, we descended down the trail. However, I didn’t realize just how popular Ricketts Glen was! There were hordes of people near every waterfall we passed by, and I knew I wanted this proposal to be something we shared alone. So, finally, we were between two waterfalls when I chose my moment. I asked Maria if we could take a break. As we moved to the side, I seized my opportunity and asked her to marry me. Naturally, she thought it might.
After her initial shock wore off, she happily agreed to marry me, and, even though I knew that was going to be her answer, I was still relieved to hear her say it. Once we made it back to the vehicle, we realized we were just 45 minutes away from Maria’s 97-year-old grandmother. We shot over there after the hike, and she had the privilege of being the first person we told after we got engaged! It was a pretty special moment. We’re now in full wedding planning mode, and we just secured our date at the time of writing this. May 22, 2021, can’t come fast enough.
And the first words out of her mouth were “I hate you!”
Of course, this was all said in jest and lovingly. Since she was caught off guard and shocked, she hadn’t been able to do her nails, and we were clearly muddy, sweaty, and fighting off the humid rainy day. It may not have been a picture- perfect day, but I had done exactly what I had set out to do: give Maria the shock of her life and a great story.
Thank you to everyone for your good wishes and kind words!
–Dan Hinnerschitz
1
www.MaddenPT.com • 717.474.8754
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Feeling SAD?
Ways to Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that people experience every fall and winter. If you find yourself feeling blue as the days become shorter and darker, know there are things you can do to boost your mood until spring returns. Increase Your Activity Keeping your body active can increase your energy levels, help you sleep, reduce anxiety, and boost your self-esteem. Summit Medical Group states that a person who exercises for 30–60 minutes a day can manage or avoid SAD easier than a person who does not exercise regularly. When you participate in physical activity, your body releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which have a morphine-like effect on your brain. If exercising outdoors is not ideal, consider swimming, walking, or dancing instead. Get Some Sun Exposure to sunlight is also significantly beneficial for people suffering from SAD. Sunlight helps your body produce adequate amounts of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness. Getting just a few minutes of sunlight
a day through a walk or short jog can make all the difference. If you live in an area where the winters are bleak, cloudy, and dark, sunlight can be harder to come by. But technology has you covered: You can purchase “sun lamps,” which simulate sunlight without the damaging UV rays. Just set up a sun lamp in your workspace or living area and feel your mood lift. Maintain Your Routine Often, it can be difficult to stick with your daily routine during the cooler months. It may be
harder to wake up on time in the morning to work out, or it may be too cold outside to go on your daily run. Luckily, you can find small ways to mitigate this. For example, invest in a sunrise alarm clock, which gently wakes you up with a simulated sunrise, or shop for high-quality thermal workout gear. If you continue to suffer from SAD and feel there’s no end in sight, it’s important to seek help from professionals. They can determine the best treatment options available for you.
‘Tis the Season for Giving
All donations can be dropped off with Leslie at the front desk.
Harrison’ s PJs for Pediatrics Now through Dec. 13
Accepting new pajamas with tags, sizes infant through adult (teen patients). PJs will be dropped off at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital on Dec. 18. Dauphin Food Pantry Now through Dec. 13 Accepting canned fruits and vegetables for the Dauphin Food Pantry run by Zion Lutheran Church. Every time you donate, you can enter to win our weekly Madden T-shirt drawing. Receive an extra entry if you are wearing your Madden T-shirt while donating (two entries per visit!).
2
www.MaddenPT.com • 717.474.8754
Falling in a Winter Wonderland?
Avoid Common Winter Injuries
This is good news for winter weekend warriors who rely on their leg muscles to keep them upright as they ski, snowboard, skate, and hike. Talk to your physical therapist about exercises, stretches, and routines that may strengthen your legs to avoid missing the snowy slopes or trails due to injury.
There’s nothing quite like an East Coast winter. The mountains are picturesque, there’s cheer in the air, and hardly anyone can avoid the beckoning call of snow. But as you bundle up for the snowy trails, avoid these common winter injuries with a little help from your physical therapist.
Slipping and Falling
Slippery, icy pavement can be treacherous during the winter, and falls cause the most fatal and nonfatal injuries among senior citizens in the U.S., according to the National Council on Aging. For many senior citizens, balance is a contributing factor, and, while the ice can certainly be the cause of a fall, having good balance can prevent further damage. Your physical therapist can work with you on a regimen to improve your balance and give you the confidence to tackle winter sidewalks and parking lots with ease.
Your Shoulders, Knees, and Everything in Between
There’s no avoiding it. Your car needs to be scraped, and the sidewalk needs to be shoveled when snow pelts the East Coast. These common winter chores can be ground zero for some of the most common winter injuries. Back strains, shoulder displacements, knee pain, and hip issues can stem from shoveling after the big snowstorm. Physical therapy can help you heal from these ailments, but it can also prepare you for the next big snowfall. Your body will be a lean, mean, snow-fighting machine by the time the next snowstorm hits. Don’t let a winter injury keep you on the sidelines this season. Enjoy all the East Coast has to offer and prevent winter injuries. Call 717.474.8457 today to find out how Madden Physical Therapy Dauphin can help.
Leg and Muscle Strains
When you strain a muscle, your physical therapist develops an exercise and training program designed to help your muscles heal and become stronger than before your injury.
Potato Latkes
LAUGH OUT LOUD
Inspired by The New York Times For the Holiday Season
Ingredients
• 2 large russet potatoes, scrubbed • 1 large onion, peeled and cut into quarters • 2 large eggs • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp black pepper • Safflower or vegetable oil, for frying
Directions
1. Using either a food processor with a coarse grating disc or the coarse side of a box grater, grate potatoes and onion. (If using a food processor, halve or quarter potatoes.) Once grated, wrap in a clean dish towel or cheesecloth to wring out as much moisture as possible. 2. Transfer to a mixing bowl and mix in eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, and pepper. 3. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan containing 1/4-inch of oil over medium-high heat. Use a heaping tablespoon to drop batter into the hot pan, working in batches. Use a spatula or spoon to form them into discs. Fry about 5 minutes per side, until deeply browned. 4. Transfer to a paper towel-lined wire rack to drain, and serve alongside applesauce and sour cream.
3
www.MaddenPT.com • 717.474.8754
www.MaddenPT.com PHONE: 717.474.8754 FAX: 717.474.8755
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
722 Allegheny St. #2 Dauphin, PA 17018
Inside
1 2
Dan’s Hiking Surprise
Boost Your Mental Health This Season ‘Tis the Season for Giving
3
How Physical Therapy Can Help You Avoid Common Winter Injuries
Take a Break Potato Latkes
4
Explore Our Pennsylvania Winter Wonderland! A Christmas Journey
Holiday Excursions Both Big and Small
The Polar Express 3D When: Through Dec. 15 Where: Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg Admission: Starts at $8
Whether you’re boarding The Polar Express, hoofing it across the snow-covered streets, or taking a magical trolley ride through Hershey, there are plenty of local ways to find holiday cheer. Check out these three options! No Place Like Home for the Holidays Races
Holly Jolly Trolley When: Through Jan. 1 Where: Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hershey Admission: $12–$15, children under age 2 are free
When: Dec. 21–31 Where: Anywhere Admission: $9–$30
Don’t miss your chance to see this Christmas classic on the big screen once again. When a little boy boards a train, he soon learns that Christmas magic never has to fade as long as you still believe. Bound for the North Pole, The Polar Express still delights
Lace up your shoes and hit the streets whenever you want this December! The No Place Like Home for the Holidays Races are virtual 1-mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1, and 26.2 races that participants can run from anywhere. You can run at your own pace, sprint at home, or take the race to the gym. As long as you complete the distance you sign up for, you will complete the race! Participants will receive a special Home Alone-themed medal for their efforts, and 15% of the proceeds will benefit the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Register for this event on Eventbrite.
If you’re not feeling the holiday spirit just yet, give the Holly Jolly Trolley 40 minutes to whip you into the Christmas mood! Enjoy caroling and stories along this whimsical ride throughout Hershey aboard an old-fashioned trolley. Rumor has it that a special visit from a certain “jolly old elf” is slated for the tour as well! Those who are on his nice list can expect a treat. Learn more about this experience and purchase tickets at Hersheys.com.
with its magical and cheerful ride through the holiday. Attendees who purchase combo tickets for this event can save on admission to the Harsco Science Center. Call 717.214.2787 to learn more.
4
www.MaddenPT.com • 717.474.8754
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook HTML5