Take a look at our May newsletter!
theptdoctor.com
718.747.2019
Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
May 2023
ON THE
MOVE
A CELEBRITY ALMOST RAN ME OVER! The Craziest Story From My Honeymoon
When Maria and I got married many years ago, we picked Marbella, Spain, for our nine-day honeymoon. It was beautiful! Our four-star hotel opened right onto the beach, there wasn’t a speck of humidity in the air, and even the clouds and bugs knew not to spoil our good time. I swear I only saw one cloud float by during the entire trip, and the hotel didn’t even bother to add bug screens to the windows. Maria and I stayed busy relaxing on the beach and eating our weight in Italian food. Then, I got it into my head that we should see what the locals like to do. What gets them into an uproar over in Spain? I did my research, and by the end of it I was sure it would be extremely romantic to watch a couple of Spanish guys kill a bull. Just kidding, I didn’t think it would be romantic. I actually got so excited about the bullfight that I forgot I was on my honeymoon for a second! I scheduled the show, and when Maria looked at me like I was crazy, I told her, “What? This is what they do over here!” For some reason, my new wife put up with my crazy idea. Soon, we were on our way to an ancient stadium to pick up our tickets. When we got there, we dove into a HUGE crowd of people surrounding the tiny ticket window. Everyone was shoulder- to-shoulder, packed tighter than fish in a tin can. There were at least 30 or 40 people in front of us in the crowd, so we resigned ourselves to inching our toes forward every few minutes. Then, a limousine pulled up to the edge of the mob. Maria and I didn’t pay too much attention. We figured it was probably some Spanish politician or a B-list celebrity we’d never heard of. Even if it was an A-list celebrity, we’re not goo-goo-ga-ga over movie stars. A bunch of people exited the limo, formed a circle, and disappeared into the crowd. Right about then, the people around us started getting testy. We’d already been waiting for 10 minutes, and now everyone pushed forward at the same time! People’s shoulders and elbows bumped at our backs, scooting us closer and closer
to the window. We were squashed against the people in front of us, and my wife had had enough . I’m usually a pretty passive guy, but Maria isn’t afraid to speak up and say
what’s on her mind. The next time an elbow hit her in the back, she spun around and shouted, “WHO IS PUSHING ME?” You know who it was? Julio Iglesias — the most famous Spanish singer of all time! He stared at us in shock for a second before his bodyguards deflected the crowd and whisked him away toward the building for the bullfight. I swear, my jaw was on the ground. We’d just run into Julio Iglesias (literally), and my wife had yelled in his face! That hilarious moment was one of the highlights of our honeymoon, which is still the best summer vacation I’ve ever taken. Seeing Julio was definitely better than watching the bullfight. Man, that was brutal. The bull didn’t even stand a chance! It was an entirely unfair slaughter. On our way out of the stadium, Maria turned to me and said, “We’re never coming back here again!” Fortunately, the bullfight didn’t destroy our honeymoon. It was just the first of a long, long list of mistakes I’ve made as a married man! I’ll tell you another funny honeymoon story in next month’s newsletter. Hopefully, this one inspired you to travel this summer! Just remember this: If you go to Spain, skip the bullfight.
–Dr. Robert Morea
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The World Isn’t Ending 3 Strategies to Reduce Anxiety
Face Anxiety Head-On Many people try to avoid anything that could make them feel anxious. While this method may make you feel short- term comfort, it can cause you to be more anxious about specific scenarios. The best strategy to overcome anxiety is to face it head-on. Although it will be uncomfortable and challenging, don’t let it stop you! The more you put yourself out there, the less anxious you’ll feel. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for! Please contact your health care provider if you’re worried about the anxious feelings you get. They can assist you with identifying your triggers, why anxiety is occurring, and methods you can use to reduce your symptoms.
When most people think of anxiety, they likely have negative connotations tied to it. Many make the assumption that anxiety will always lead to panic attacks and fears of major change, but just about anything can generate feelings of anxiety, and not all of them are harmful. However, if your anxiety stops you from doing something, it can hinder you almost every day. In honor of May being National Anxiety Month, here are three ways to reduce your anxiety. Daily Exercise Physical activity can increase your self- confidence, improve your mood, help you relax, and lower anxiety symptoms. You don’t have to do anything
significant — you can go for a walk, take a hike, conduct at-home workouts, go to the gym for at least 30 minutes, or participate in yoga and Pilates. Meditate Sometimes, taking a step back, focusing on your breathing, and letting your thoughts flow in one ear and out the other can help you put things in perspective. JAMA Internal Medicine published an article stating that practicing mindfulness can help ease feelings of anxiety, depression, and pain. You can meditate by following a guided meditation or silently sitting in a quiet area and breathing slowly. While meditating will be challenging at first, it will become easier with practice.
The Ageless Benefits of Yoga How Seniors Are Finding New Vitality
For many seniors, maintaining an active lifestyle can be a challenge. Your body might not be as flexible as it once was, and new pains or discomforts seem to appear out of nowhere as time passes. This change can be problematic and will require some adjustment on your part, especially if you’ve lived an active lifestyle. Thankfully, there are some activities you can do to help you stay active, like yoga! You might think that yoga is just for young people, but that’s not the case at all! Yoga is a low-impact exercise that can be modified to suit a wide range of abilities, making it accessible to people of all ages. There is no expectation of perfection, as each individual is
encouraged to listen to their own body and move at a comfortable pace. So even if you have health limitations or concerns, yoga is a safe and pleasant activity. Plus, you’ll gain a host of benefits from participating. By holding poses and moving through sequences, yoga helps to lengthen and stretch muscles, increasing the range of motion and reducing stiffness. You’ll also build muscle strength, particularly in your core. Your balance and posture will improve, which will help lessen physical discomfort and reduce your risk of falls.
yoga can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. By incorporating breathing techniques into their practice, seniors can improve cognitive function and memory. There’s also a social aspect involved. Many yoga studios offer classes specifically for seniors, which can provide a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone to practice together. It’s a great way to meet new people and have fun while staying active. There are advantages for people of all ages to practice yoga. If you’ve been interested in trying this activity for a while, now is the time to get out and get involved. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy it!
In addition to physical benefits, yoga is also mentally stimulating. The practice of
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OUCH! Pinched Nerves Hurt
USING PHYSICAL THERAPY TO REDUCE DISCOMFORT
Restorative Exercise Don’t worry; you won’t be doing jumping jacks. Strengthening and range of motion exercises are simple movements that can strengthen your muscles and stretch the affected nerves to help reduce pain. A physical therapist will often assess your issues and unique needs, then customize these exercises for you to reap the most benefits. Retraining Your Posture No one has perfect posture all of the time, but enhancing it can do wonders for your symptoms. Adjusting your posture is vital to treating pinched nerves and preventing further injury. Most people don’t realize how poor their posture is throughout the day, but a physical therapist can help you retrain your stance and improve your spinal alignment. By doing so, you’re also preventing further damage to your pinched nerve. Your favorite activities don’t have to become a forgotten memory. Physical therapy can have you returning to your everyday life and managing any discomfort caused by a pinched nerve. While not all physical therapists practice the same methods listed here, they can find a therapeutic routine perfect for your needs. Everyone deserves to live pain-free lives, and physical therapy can help you make the unthinkable a reality.
If you have a pinched nerve, you know how much it can affect your day-to-day life. Severe neck or back pain due to a pinched nerve often limits your usual sports or hobbies and can also be aggravated by sitting or standing at work all day with bad posture. But you don’t have to be stuck with this pain! The restorative techniques offered in physical therapy can help you treat your pinched nerve and teach you how to manage it properly. Manual Therapy Who doesn’t enjoy a massage? A trained physical therapist can administer manual therapy, such as massages, to loosen muscle tension and ease pain. Some other forms of manual therapy include lymphatic drainage and manual traction. These hands-on techniques can reduce inflammation and improve your range of motion. Cold Laser Therapy This FDA-approved and noninvasive treatment uses low-level light to heal damaged tissue and relieve nerve pain. The near-infrared light promotes healing and is known to treat pinched nerve symptoms and other spinal injuries, such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) and herniated discs, when done regularly.
TAKE A BREAK!
Ginger Pork Stir-Fry Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
• 1 tbsp cornstarch • 1 cup orange juice • 2 tbsp soy sauce
1. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger until smooth; set aside. 2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, stir-fry pork in oil until lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Remove pork and add onion, peas, and red pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Stir in orange juice mixture and pork. Bring to a boil, and then cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/4 tsp ground ginger • 1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips • 2 tbsp canola oil • 1 small onion, sliced • 1/4 lb fresh snow peas • 1/2 sweet red pepper, julienned • Cooked rice • Green onion, chopped (optional) • Sesame seeds (optional)
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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. – 4 p.m.
1. Robert’s Funniest Celebrity Encounter 2. Anxiety Can Be Overcome Healthy Aging Through Yoga 3. Managing a Painful Pinched Nerve Ginger Pork Stir-Fry 4. How Physical Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Connection Between Mental Health and Physical Therapy
Improved Self-Esteem Unsurprisingly, your self-esteem may take a hit after suffering an injury or losing mobility, but physical therapy can help restore lost confidence. We’ll run you through various exercises, and at every appointment, you’ll gain a new sense of achievement as you progress toward your goals and regain mobility. Your confidence will improve even more as you work on the exercises we assign you at home.
Physical discomfort is usually the main focus of a physical therapy appointment. Whether you suffered an injury or have recently undergone surgery, you’re doing everything possible to return to the activities you love. But you may not realize that your mental health can majorly impact your physical recovery. You might think you need to see a mental health professional or start a new prescription to help your mind during recovery, but that’s not necessarily the case. Often simply participating in physical therapy can help improve your mental health. Reduced Stress, Anxiety, and Depression As physical therapists, we aim to help you return to your regular lives with few to no restrictions. There may be moments when you feel like nothing will improve after an injury, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel! After meeting with a physical therapist, you’ll receive a road map to your recovery. When you see that things will eventually improve, you’ll notice improvements in your mental health. Feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression will gradually lessen as you continue on your healing journey.
Better Sleep When you don’t sleep well, you can experience worsening symptoms of depression and anxiety. There’s no better way to ensure you get a good night’s rest than by exercising, and that’s exactly what we’ll help you do. Whether you’re coming in for an appointment or are following our guidelines for recovery at home, you’ll have an easier time falling asleep at night and will get much better rest.
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Bone Strengthening and Balance Training Workshop
Do you have osteoporosis or osteopenia? Could your bones withstand the impact if you fell? Learn how to increase bone density naturally to reduce your risk of breaking a bone. The bioDensity machine has been proven to build bone density at 2%–4% per year. It’s safe and easy! And covered by health insurance.
bioDensity machine (left)
Do you feel unsteady when you walk? Are you afraid of falling? Learn how to improve your balance and reduce your risk of falling! Protect yourself with advanced and effective Balance Training techniques.
Call us at 718.747.2019 to hold your spot at our upcoming workshop on May 23 @ 2 p.m. FREE WORKSHOP
The Physical Therapy Doctor 212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360 718.747.2019 ThePTDoctor.com
Due to the high demand for improving balance in our community we are starting a “Boxing for Balance” program to help make people more stable on their feet and further reduce their risk of falling. We are learning every day that there are more ways than ever for people to enhance their quality of life and even build their power, strength, flexibility, and speed! This program brings you up close and personal with our hand-selected boxing trainers, creating an environment that will motivate you, push you to exceed your expectations, and get you believing that “Boxing for Balance” is the program that will change your life forever! BOXING FOR BALANCE
The movements in this non-contact, one-on-one boxing skills program provide you the confidence that carries over
to your real-world movements. Covered by Medicare Insurance
FREE boxing equipment if you sign up by Tuesday, May 23! (Valued at $40)
The Physical Therapy Doctor 212-73 26th Ave. Bayside, NY 11360 718.747.2019 ThePTDoctor.com
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