| Empire Health & Wellness Center |
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| Greetings! |
As Thanksgiving approaches, I would like to thank all of our current and past patients, gym members and friends for helping us become one of the most respected practices in the Capital Region. We strive to offer personalized service and take special interest in each and every patient and gym member.
Last month, I was honored to become an adjunct faculty member of Albany Medical Center's Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders of Northeastern NY. This program provides patients with a seamless continuum of care throughout their treatment so that each individual has the opportunity to heal their body, mind and spirit. Click here for more information. Best wishes to you and your family for a healthy and happy Thanksgiving. Be well, |
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| How Being Thankful Can Lower Stress |
 Chronic tension alters hormones, like adrenaline, corticotropin, and cortisol, which can increase your appetite and make you store more fat. Normally, cortisol peaks in the morning, then decreases throughout the day. But a multicenter study found that women facing stresses often fail to show lower cortisol levels in the evening. That's when you're likely to turn to high-carb, high-calorie snacks for the soothing serotonin they trigger. When stress is getting to you, it is better to listen to your favorite music or exercise - going outside for a walk may be the quickest solution, advises Kathleen Hall, Ph.D., founder of the Stress Institute in Atlanta. What may be most effective of all is concentrating on something you're thankful for. "It's physiologically impossible to be grateful and stressed at the same time because the two emotional states release different types of hormones," says Hall. |
| Praise for the Pumpkin |
 Pumpkin meat is very high in carotenoids - they're what give pumpkins their orange color, but that's the least of their benefits. Carotenoids are really good at neutralizing free radicals (those nasty molecules that can attack cell membranes, leaving them vulnerable to damage).
Pumpkins are also high in lutein and zeaxanthin which scavenge free radicals in the lens of the eye. Therefore, they may help prevent the formation of cataracts and reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious eye problem that can result in blindness.
Pumpkins are also loaded with key nutrients such as iron, zinc and fiber. Iron is needed by red blood cells. Zinc deficiency is believed to be related to osteoporosis of the hip and spine in older men. Don't forget the pumpkin seeds - they are also good sources of iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids.
Beside the traditional pumpkin pie, there are many other tasty dishes you can make using pumpkin. The new EatingWell at Price Chopper web site provides over 120 recipes including a delicious one for pumpkin custard. |
| Embrace a Workplace Wellness Program |
 Most of us spend the majority of our day at work where our own health oftentimes takes a back seat to demands of the job. Research suggests that healthy employees are not only happier but are also more productive. There are practical ways to incorporate wellness into the workplace and Empire Health & Wellness Center has a complimentary 30 minute introductory presentation for employees which addresses some of these issues.
Matt Frank, a licensed Physical Therapist and Personal Trainer, with special  training in orthopedics, sports and industrial physical therapy, is available to give an introductory talk at your workplace.
You may already know that some insurance carriers may give credit to your company for adopting a formal wellness program. We are available to discuss the details of this with senior management and/or health benefit managers.
Call us today at 690-4406 to arrange a free 30 minute presentation in your workplace or to talk about embracing a Workplace Wellness Program. |
| Do You ,or Someone You Know, Experience Vertigo or Dizziness? |
 More than 90 million American teenagers and adults have problems with balance, dizziness or vertigo. This can cause people to fall and feel disoriented and may inhibit their normal daily routine. Our staff has advanced training in Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT), a type of physical therapy used to treat vertigo. The goal of treatment is to minimize dizziness, improve balance, and prevent falls by restoring normal function of the vestibular system.
In VRT, the patient performs exercises designed to allow the brain to adapt to and compensate for whatever is causing the vertigo. In most cases, patients visit the therapist on a limited basis and perform custom-designed exercises at home, several times a day. As the patient progresses, difficulty of the exercises increases until the highest level of balance is attained during head movement, eye movement (i.e. tracking with the eyes), and walking. Call our office to schedule an appointment for treatment. |
| Give the Gift of Health |
 Material possessions and money may be considered valuable assets because of the enjoyment, comfort and/or security that they provide. But, good health is your most valuable asset.
This holiday season we encourage you to give the gift of good health and fitness! One way you can do this is to "gift" yourself a gym membership - there is no annual contract - and the monthly fee is just $30 after paying the initial $75 enrollment fee.
We also have Gift Certificates for massages and gym memberships that you can buy for others on your shopping list. | |
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Thank you to all who attended our Member Appreciation Open House in October. Congratulations to the door prize winners:
Fleet Feet Certificates:
Ray Lasky
Tom Nolte
Fruit Basket, T-Shirt, Eating Well magazine subscription, 1/2hour massage:
Donna McLaughlin
Gymnic Ball and Prevention magazine subscription:
Lori Blatt
1 hour Personal Training and Cooking Light magazine subscription:
Gus Gillberg |
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While we all have busy lives which may include managing households, jobs and relationships, make your health a #1 priority. You'll see that "a better you" will reap rewards in every other part of your life. |
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