THE THOMAS TIMES
MAY 2018
You are a unique individual. Nobody knows your body like you do, so trust yourself and be your own best advocate. However, when you research injuries on the internet, keep in mind that anyone can claim to be an expert. Use critical thinking to analyze what you’re reading. Does this really make sense? Statistics are thrown around freely these days, often without valid backing. What’s right for one person is not necessarily what’s right for another. That said, you’d be hard-pressed to find reliable info on the web advocating against trying physical therapy before undergoing surgery to repair an injury. In fact, Dr. Blake, a brilliant orthopedic physician in Gainesville, Florida, would not perform surgery on a patient if they had not first maximized their potential with physical therapy. His reasoning was threefold: 1. The patient might completely avoid the need for surgical intervention through an effective physical therapy program. 2. The surgery might not be successful if the patient hadn’t demonstrated a willingness to perform their exercise program. 3. If they did ultimately need surgery, they would recover much faster if they had maximized their physical potential first. Make sure you have exhausted all conservative measures before having a procedure that can’t be reversed. Randy’s Ramblings
GIVE 12 HUGS A DAY 5 WAYS TO CULTIVATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR KIDS
When you imagine your kids as adults, what do you see? Do you imagine that your lives intersect? Are you still close with them?
That time is still years away, but if you hope to have a long-lasting relationship with your kids, now is the time to start building it. From birth to age 2 is when some of the most critical social development occurs in humans, and for the “social” part of the brain to grow, your child needs your attention. But even after that, it’s important to continue cultivating your relationship. It’s not just about the quantity of time you spend together, either. According to the Mental Health Foundation, “Parents and carers will have a relationship with their child, but it is the quality of the relationship that is important.” HUG TO BUILD TRUST There’s one little gesture that can go a long way — a hug. An article in Psychology Today recommends 12 hugs or other physical connections a day. Yes, it’s that simple; hug each other more. Remember how good a hug feels? Hugging is one of the simplest ways to demonstrate affection and build trust. According to Dr. Srini Pillay, it’s because the embrace helps deactivate the fear center of your brain — the amygdala — and stimulates oxytocin, which increases trust. HERE ARE FIVE WAYS TO YOU CAN FOSTER THAT RELATIONSHIP, STARTING TODAY.
Honor your body, and Keep On Smilin’!
-Randy Thomas
Continued on page 2 ...
386-257-2672 • 1
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker