PT Doc Physical Therapy - July 2024

Take a look at our July newsletter!

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Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

July 2024

ON THE

MOVE

BIG IDEAS, BIG IMPACT ENCOURAGING CREATIVITY IN A CHANGING WORLD

My kids are now 18 and 20 years old, but their whole lives I’ve continually told them one thing — get older, but don’t grow up. And this isn’t about me selfishly wanting to keep them small forever. You see, to be a kid is to see things in the moment with curiosity and exploration. Kids have an innate ability to take something for what it is and expand on it. This month, on July 18, we celebrate Be a Kid Again Day — a perfect time to reflect on the innocence and beauty of being young and hanging onto some of those mindsets. Kids live in the moment — almost hilariously. But they are geniuses for it because living for today allows spontaneous ideas to blossom. Einstein once said, “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” To me, this means that as a society, we have degraded the gift, and we have put the faithful servant (rational mind) up on a pedestal. My son was recently filling me in on some of his peers. He explained that some of them graduated college only to find that AI is squeezing out their planned careers. It’s terrifying. However, in my mind, the thinkers and creators will always

have a place, but you must continue to generate new ideas. It makes me wonder if college curriculums will change and adapt to include more evaluative and critical thinking as AI evolves. Only time will tell. The intuitive mind is our “sacred gift,” which is very pronounced in children. Kids are so curious and have these “great ideas,” and that’s where it all starts. Without an idea, you can never have anything come full circle. While my kids were growing up, I told them that everything around them — the great technology, amazing amusement parks, and the meals we eat — started as a simple spark in someone’s mind. I was hoping to prompt some thought and innovative thinking in their minds. When you think about it, if you want to lose weight, you must begin with an idea and the conviction to persist, and then you will see it in the real world. Patients who walk through our doors and want to get stronger don’t know the road ahead. But our therapists have an open mind and the experience to begin with the plan and idea to get our patients where they’d like to go. The smartphone came out not long ago, and I remember thinking that all those people camping outside the Apple store, eagerly awaiting the first iPhone, were crazy. I thought to myself, “I’ll never get that.” Fast-forward to today, and I definitely have one. Apple’s success all started with just one simple idea, and kids are perfect examples of having these sparks and big thoughts — it’s one of the lessons we can learn from them. I hope my kids continue to have this novel input throughout their lives. They can continue to grow, thrive, and learn, but I hope they never truly grow up and lose that innocence and ability to develop big ideas, no matter how crazy some may be. After all, at one point, I thought the smartphone idea was insane.

–Dr. Robert Morea

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BEYOND NORMAL REMARKABLY RARE HUMAN MUTATIONS

Did you know a small percentage of people are born with traits you may not have known were possible? While they may not be pizza-loving turtles who have mastered martial arts or men wearing funny helmets able to lift metal objects with their minds, their peculiarities are fascinating nonetheless! Genetic mutations are often not huge, life- altering things, but these are the rarest, most stunning mutations known to exist! Normal Eyes, Peculiar Pupils About 20% of people are born with unevenly sized pupils, called physiologic aniscoria. While each pupil is a different size, they both still react to light and are functionally normal. Some people whose pupils were previously even in size can develop aniscoria due to a health condition, such as a brain aneurysm or torn blood vessels in the neck. Sweating Like a Pig

If someone “sweats like a pig,” they may have inherited a condition called hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and have few to no sweat glands. Even though a person can wear dress shirts on a hot summer day without developing embarrassing pit stains, the condition can be detrimental because the inability to sweat can lead to heat stroke. Super-Fast Reaction Times The average reaction time is 150–300 milliseconds. Generally, intelligence and youth contribute to your

reaction time, but some people are born with unusually quick reaction times. A

Cambridge University study backs this up, which posits that your genes play a role in determining your reaction time. The difference is not all that staggering — not enough to make you even a B-Tier X-Man — but it is noteworthy! If you weren’t born with a faster reaction time but still want to get ahead, take heart. Training and practice can improve it — with video games! Studies show that top gamers react nearly 10% faster than average!

When a person sweats like a pig, it means they don’t sweat much at all. That is because pigs have fewer sweat glands and rely on other means — like rolling around in mud — to cool down.

BATTLE FOR BALANCE EXERCISES TO IMPROVE EVERYDAY STABILITY

Methods of Improvement Fortunately, you can combat balance problems. One method millions of people lean on is a device meant to improve mobility, namely canes and walkers. While these can be helpful, they can sometimes hamper balance and may require more effort than their support merits. Moreover, some research indicates they may actually contribute to falls in some instances. That is why it is important to incorporate exercise into your routine, eat healthily, and manage any medical conditions to improve your balance and combat the risk of falling. One form of helpful exercise is strength training, which involves lifting weights or using resistance bands to build muscle strength that naturally declines in old age. Whatever your method of combating imbalance, the effort is worth it. Staving off falls can contribute to a longer, happier life.

Did you know that around a quarter of adults 65 and older experience a fall every year? Falls are the leading cause of injuries for seniors, and the risk of falling increases as we get older. Our balance declines as we age, and poor balance is a substantial contributing factor to falls among older people. While the fear of falling leads many seniors to avoid exercise altogether, this is not a good strategy. Exercising,

staying on top of medications, and getting your vision checked are all keys to maintaining balance in your golden years and reducing the risk of falls. Here are some potential causes of imbalance and methods for seniors to improve their balance and lower their risk of falling. Bodily Balance Many seniors experience balance and dizziness problems. These can be a side effect of some medications or brought on by balance disorders or other underlying medical conditions. Inner ear problems cause one such balance disorder; one part of the inner ear, the labyrinth, plays a big part in balance. If infected, it can lead to a condition called labyrinthitis, which can lead to bodily imbalance. If you believe you suffer from a balance disorder, your primary physician may refer you to a specialist, such as an otolaryngologist or audiologist, for help.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT The Importance of a Vitamin D-Rich Diet

Vitamin D, best known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is uniquely both a nutrient we eat and a hormone our body makes when exposed to sunlight. While our bodies need vitamin D to absorb calcium, allowing us to build and fortify our bones, it does far more than that. The fat-soluble vitamin is also an anti-inflammatory and helps our

While a 3.5-ounce serving of farmed salmon contains about 526 IU, a serving of wild-caught salmon may contain significantly more and may even exceed the daily recommendation.

A 3.5-ounce serving of herring or sardines will net you around 200 IU, or about a third of your daily

recommended vitamin D. You can also obtain trace amounts of vitamin D from foods such as egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver.

brains and immune systems function. According to the Mayo Clinic, the daily recommendation for vitamin D intake for the vast majority of the population is around 600 international units or IU. However, unlike many other nutrients, not many foods naturally contain a large amount of vitamin D. Whether natural or fortified, here are the best foods to add to your diet to help you hit the recommended daily vitamin D intake. Natural Sources of Vitamin D If you are searching for a natural vitamin D

Artificial Sources of Vitamin D If you do not mind using artificial

sources to hit your daily recommended dose of vitamin D, then your best bet is a supplement. A great source is cod liver oil, which contains 450 IU of vitamin D per teaspoon. For those who don’t enjoy seafood, fortified milk is a great way to hit your daily recommended intake.

No matter how you acquire your vitamin D, the benefits are worth the effort. From helping revitalize cell growth to keeping your bones strong and healthy, vitamin D is a nutrient you should consider incorporating more of into your diet.

source, you will likely have to get your feet wet. Some of the best natural sources of vitamin D are fatty fish like salmon, herring, sardines, and tuna.

TAKE A BREAK!

QUINOA VEGGIE BOWL

This recipe is packed with protein-rich quinoa and a colorful array of vegetables. It’s ideal for a healthy lunch or a quick dinner!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 red bell pepper, diced • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced • 1 cup diced zucchini

• 1 cup diced mushrooms • 1 tsp dried oregano • Salt and pepper, to taste • 2 cups cooked quinoa

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Add bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add oregano, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.

4. Add the cooked quinoa and mix thoroughly. 5. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then serve.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

718.747.2019

212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360

theptdoctor.com

Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

1. Get Older, but Don’t Grow Up 2. Exploring Unconventional Human Genetic Variations Importance of Exercise to Improve Balance 3. A Guide to Vitamin D-Rich Foods Quinoa Veggie Bowl 4. How Infrared Heat Can Amplify Your Workout Results INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Sweat Smarter, Not Harder WHY A-LISTERS ARE DITCHING TRADITIONAL GYMS FOR INFRARED SAUNAS

Do you want to heat up your exercise routines for superstar results? Those in the know, like Lady Gaga and Gwyneth Paltrow, have been bringing their workouts into infrared saunas and gyms to help melt away toxins, tension, and calories. This technique utilizes infrared rays to penetrate your skin and muscles and heat your body from the inside out. It’s cooler than a traditional sauna but increases your temperature to get your heart pumping and start an intense sweat. Here’s why moving your routine to an infrared gym may be the steamy solution you’ve been looking for. Faster Warm Up When you use infrared equipment, it raises your core temperature rapidly, causing your body to work harder to cool you down. Thus, you can gain more

significant weight loss benefits in less time, allowing you to get more out of a 15- or 30-minute workout. The more you sweat, the more calories you can burn — without being a gym rat. Quicker Recovery When body temperature and heart rate increase, the body pumps blood faster, improving overall circulation. This process, in turn, promotes quicker recovery for muscles. Infrared heat can also repair injured tissues and heal achy muscles and joints by reducing inflammation and relaxing the body. Fewer Toxins One way the body eliminates toxins is by sweating. Being exposed to infrared heat can help you sweat out heavy metals and pollutants in your system and strengthen your immune system.

Better Mood Besides improving your physical workout, infrared heat can also enhance your mood. When you sweat, you release hormones like dopamine and serotonin, which make you feel good. Infrared sessions can promote relaxation and better sleep — your mental health’s best friend. Some studies have even found participants had reduced anxiety and depression levels after just two weeks of treatment. If you’re ready to turn up the heat on your fitness journey, infrared gyms can help you torch calories faster, sweat out toxins, and burn through all your wellness goals!

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BALANCE & FALL PREVENTION WORKSHOP Limited seats available. Call now to reserve a spot.

When: Wednesday, July 24 Time: 2:30 p.m. Where: The PT Doctor Clinic • Are you afraid when you walk? • Are you doing less because you feel unsteady on your feet? • Do you want to walk better without a cane or a walker? Learn what you can do to improve your balance and reduce your risk of falling before it’s too late.

The Physical Therapy Doctor 212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360 718.747.2019 ThePTDoctor.com

Presented by Dr. Sam Souto - PT

ATTENTION SENIORS WITH SHOULDER PAIN!

Are you tired of trying to hide your symptoms with medications and injections or just living in pain?

Whether you injured your shoulder in a fall or the pain has come on gradually, you owe it to yourself to come to our FREE Screening Day on JULY 24 at the PT DOC Physical Therapy Clinic. We will evaluate your rotator cuff and shoulder stabilizing muscles to determine the best course of action to help you get full motion and reduce your pain and inflammation. We fix shoulders every day of the year. We are the specialists that can help you eliminate your pain for good.

Call us TODAY at 718.747.2019 When: Wednesday, July 24 Where: The PT DOC Clinic

The Physical Therapy Doctor 212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360 718.747.2019 ThePTDoctor.com

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