Elite Physical Therapy June 2017 Edition

June 2017

ELITE Physical Therapy Lagniappe (318) 443-3311

www.elitephysicaltherapy.us

School’s Out. Summer Is Here.

Life’s a Beach. You Are Family. Let’s Keep Moving.

In early 2017, Elite Physical Therapy’s team began communicating with our patients, friends, and community via the Elite Lagniappe newsletter. Our goal was to showcase our dynamic team, individually and collectively, our community pride and unique profession, and share, well, a little something extra. While everything we do at Elite is a work in progress, the overwhelming feedback on this newsletter proves we are on track to achieve our communications goal. While my first newsletter front page included a near-life-size poster of myself — I hope you archived it, as there will not be another — we will now instead use that creative space for our team to introduce themselves. This will provide you with the opportunity to meet our physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and technicians, and our front-office crew. We want you to put a name with a face and a face with a name, and we want you to meet the people who create and nurture the Elite Physical Therapy culture. Whether in the clinic or out in the community, our team is committed to the unique family- like environment at Elite and to serving and improving the quality of life for the people here in central Louisiana. The team of Elite physical therapists has 65 years of clinical experience, while our physical therapy assistants add another 18 years of patient rehabilitation experience to the arsenal.

That’s 89 combined years of clinical practice experience — we are wise , not old .

I am confident in saying that our team genuinely cares about our friends, neighbors, community, and most certainly our patients. Whether it’s a next-door neighbor who was injured in their yard last week, a church member who’s had a joint replaced, or a local high school athlete recovering from a sports injury, 98.7 percent of our patients tell us what a pleasant, fulfilling experience they had at Elite. For those patient experiences where we fall short, we apologize, we learn, we evaluate, and we strive to improve, making it better each time. The Elite Physical Therapy team is available for our patients anytime one needs us. There are no aches, pains, or strains that should keep you from visiting a physical therapist. You can call Elite directly to schedule an appointment or visit your physician and request a referral for physical therapy. Either way, we will get you right in to see one of our physical therapists who is able to provide a physical therapy diagnosis and begin treatment immediately. Summer is here. Let’s keep moving. Enjoy this month’s Lagniappe. Let us know what you think; I’d love to hear from you at [email protected].

-Don

I am confident in saying that our team genuinely cares about our friends, neighbors, community, and most certainly our patients.

Elite PT • (318) 443-3311 • 1

Avoid the SUMMER SLIDE

Having the kids home from school can be awesome, but how do you keep them busy and mentally engaged? You might find yourself eyeing expensive summer camps or wondering about private tutors. But that’s not necessary. Instead, check out some of these great summer reading rewards programs. All these programs are free, they’ll get your kids reading, and they’ll give you some time to yourself to boot! The local library is the best place to start. Most city libraries have great summer reading programs that will reward kids for their hard work with prizes, awards, and even free books. Libraries are also great places to get suggestions for kids, and they offer fun activities during the day and night that will foster a love of learning and reading — and lead to more ideas on what to read! But libraries aren’t the only places that reward summer reading. National businesses also get in on the fun. Barnes & Noble will give a free book to any child who completes their summer

reading triathlon journal (barnesandnoble.com/ summerreading). Chuck E. Cheese will give any child 10 free tokens if they read every day and record their progress on their reading calendar (chuckecheese. com). Pizza Hut will also reward young readers for filling out a passport (bookitprogram.com), and there are other companies that offer incentives. Remember, reading is about more than just learning. It’s also about keeping minds active to fight the “summer slide” that educators dread every new school year. If you want your kids to have fun, stay sharp, and win cool prizes, get them involved in summer reading!

June Testimonial “Elite Physical Therapy took me when no one else would. After getting in a car wreck that left my back and shoulders very tight, I wanted to be sure nothing was seriously wrong and get relief. Doing what I thought was right, I called a doctor’s office to make an appointment to be checked out. To my surprise, they refused to see me since I had been in an accident. They then suggested I see another doctor, who also refused to see me since I had been in a motor vehicle accident. Desperate and in shock that everyone was refusing to see me, I called Elite, and they were very welcoming and took me right in. After my second visit, I began to feel relief; and after two weeks, I am back to my baseline, and have learned the exercises that Wes taught me to help if I get a flare-up.” Michelle Boone

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Giving Back:

Elite PT in the Community

importantly, the board protects the citizens of Louisiana who receive physical therapy services. Don’s role is a very important one to the practice of physical therapy in the state of Louisiana. Bart was recently elected treasurer and serves as a director of the Louisiana Physical Therapy Association. The LPTA represents physical therapists and assistants in Louisiana, spearheading advocacy efforts, educational activities, and the promotion of the physical therapy profession in the state. Bart is also the Louisiana liaison for the APTA PT-PAC and is a key contact for the Private Practice Section, communicating the concerns of the physical therapy community to our congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. Bart also recently completed an eight-year stint on the board of the England Authority, which oversees the development and operations of the Alexandria International Airport and the England Airpark.

community. From sponsoring local athletic events and teams, to volunteering on the sidelines and organizing athletic events, we realize the important way our company can support the local community. The Elite team has been on the sidelines of high school football for many years, assisting with the medical needs of our high school athletes. This year, we also sponsored and assisted on the sidelines with Crossroads Soccer, volunteering for weekend coverage for our young soccer athletes. The Elite team has also assisted with High School Physical Day for many years. Bart and Don have always been involved in the fitness community, playing integral roles in the development and execution of many races, including 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and triathlons in the central Louisiana area. The Elite PT team is here to support our community and our profession, and we look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come.

The theme of June’s newsletter centers around community. At Elite Physical Therapy, we are focused on community, whether it be our office community, our central Louisiana community, or our physical therapy community. We are honored that our state leadership decided to put Don on the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board. Don currently serves as chairman of the board. The board is charged with overseeing and regulating the practice of physical therapy in the state of Louisiana. The board interprets the scope of the physical therapy practice, licenses all practitioners, enforces the Practice Act, and disciplines any practitioners who violate the law. Most

The staff of Elite Physical Therapy is also aware of the importance of the central Louisiana

It’s officially the season of salads, and fruit salads are summer’s specialty! Enjoy this tasty dish as a side or main course. For some added protein, toss in a handful of slivered almonds or chopped pecans. Sensational Summer Salad Ingredients • 1 pound strawberries, thinly sliced • 3 medium peaches, thinly sliced • 1 cup blueberries • 1 heaping tablespoon fresh basil or mint, chopped • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar Directions 1. In a medium serving bowl, combine the strawberries, peaches, blueberries, and basil. 2. Drizzle lemon juice, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar on top. 3. Gently toss to combine. 4. Serve immediately, or chill for later. Recipe inspired by CookieAndKate.com.

Elite PT • (318) 443-3311 • 3

3446 Masonic Drive Alexandria, LA 71301 (318) 443-3311

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

www.elitephysicaltherapy.us

Hours of Operation: M-Th: 7:30-5:30 Fri: 7:30-1:30

Inside THIS ISSUE

• School’s Out. Summer Is Here. Life’s a Beach. You Are Family. Let’s Keep Moving.

• Avoid the Summer Slide

• June Testimonial

• Giving Back: Elite PT in the Community

• Sensational Summer Salad

• Yellowstone: Where the Wild Things Are

The Unspoiled Natural Majesty of Yellowstone National Park This summer, skip the expensive hustle and bustle of an overcrowded theme park. After a vacation like that, you’ll feel like you need another. feet. Or if it’s majesty and exploration you’re itching for, hike one of the many trails along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Where the Wild Things Are

The views, with clay cliff faces and tree- covered mountains in every direction, are unlike any other. Also, be sure to investigate the Grand Prismatic Spring, which, besides its otherworldly rainbow waters, is known for being the largest hot spring in the U.S. For many, though, the biggest draw of the park is the wildlife. Yellowstone is home to the largest bison population on public land. It houses more mammals than anywhere else in the lower 48 states, 150 species of birds, and huge populations of native fish, to name a few. Just driving around the park, you’re apt to see moose, deer, elk, mountain goats, and, if you’re lucky, grizzly bears, mountain lions, or wolves.

As far as getaway destinations go, Yellowstone National Park, sprawling across Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, is a little more expansive. More than 3 million visitors flock to its astonishing peaks, multicolored pools, and dramatic geothermal geysers each year, but as you travel across Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, it’s unlikely you’ll see much of them. And the sheer variety of unparalleled activities to explore means fun for the whole family. Make sure to check out Old Faithful, the most famous geothermal geyser in the world, with eruptions averaging a whopping 130 vertical

Go boating, catch a fish, scale a mountain, ride a horse — the things to do vary as much as the breathtaking landscape. If you’re looking for an affordable, relaxed, and wide-open family vacation this summer, Yellowstone is a no- brainer.

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