April 2019
(318) 443-3311
www.elitephysicaltherapy.us
ELITE Physical Therapy Lagniappe
World Health Day Celebrates Access to Health Care for All
This month, we celebrate World Health Day on April 7. This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) is focusing on universal health coverage with the goal of ensuring all people and communities have access to quality health services when and where they need them. This goal encompasses the full spectrum of services — from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care. This is an opportunity for us as physical therapists to raise awareness about the crucial role our profession plays in keeping people healthy, mobile, and independent. It’s also a great time to highlight how more people have access now to the health benefits of physical therapy through Direct Access. Maybe you’ve tweaked your back while trying to work in the yard quickly so you could catch the end of the Masters. Maybe you’ve pushed yourself a little too hard preparing for your next race, and that ache in your knee won’t go away, even after a couple days off. Maybe you simply took a funny step off the curb and are feeling a little twinge in your ankle. Sometimes when you’re suffering from an ache, pain, or injury, you have a pretty good idea of what caused it. That’s not always the case, but when it is, it is best to get treated right away. It can be frustrating to jump through hoops (and spend hard-earned dollars) to get to your treatment. Wouldn’t it be better if you could just go see a physical therapist?
Luckily, you can — it’s called Direct Access.
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Provides access to physical therapy services without a physician referral or prescription.
Direct Access is exactly what it sounds like: an immediate connection to physical therapy services. Louisiana is a Direct Access state, which means you don’t need a physician referral or prescription to receive the services of physical therapists. You can start treatment the minute you feel pain! As a Direct Access provider, the Elite Physical Therapy team can utilize our skills and training to offer treatment and prevent future issues. Our physical therapists personally evaluate each patient’s condition and identify ways to resolve and improve issues. Our PTs are also trained to recognize the red flags that signal further care is needed from other medical professionals. If we recognize the need, we’ll suggest a referral so you can get the necessary care. We can also send our results to your physician and work in conjunction with them to provide you with the best possible treatment. Most insurance providers cover Direct Access, with the exception of Medicare and a small number of providers who may require prior authorization before services. We’ll check with your insurance provider first to make sure.
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Reduces opioid use through the use of mechanics, not pain pills.
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Keeps more Louisiana physical therapy students in Louisiana’s workforce. On average, PT schools lose 20 percent of graduates to out-of-state jobs. They are trained to practice in Direct Access states (national board exam), and this bill will now keep them at home in Louisiana.
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Provides you with prompt attention and service.
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Let’s you choose your physical therapy provider.
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Allows you to be your own health care advocate.
In celebrating WHD and access to healthcare for all, we celebrate your right to physical therapy services for all your health care needs! If there are any aches, pains, or injuries that are bothering you this spring, give us a call. Your team at ELITE is here for you!
–Bart Jones & Don Cassano
WHAT DIRECT ACCESS MEANS FOR YOU:
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Reduces health care costs for patients and for Louisiana.
Elite PT • (318) 443-3311 • 1
Books to Engage the Whole Family Worlds Within Pages
jungles, and oceans — and features the wildlife living there. It’s worth a read simply to appreciate the colorful depictions of each animal. This book was written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Petr Horácek.
FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOLER: ‘THE NIGHT DIARY’
12-year-old Nisha navigates her world after the partition of India creates the new country of Pakistan and her family is forced to leave their home. Her mother may be gone, but Nisha finds solace in writing nightly letters to her in her diary as she discovers what the future holds. Based on author Veera Hiranandani’s memories of her own family, this moving tale lets readers experience life through someone else’s eyes. While some might not think of comics as proper reading, Penelope Bagieu’s graphic novel forces reconsideration. Her clever, colorful artwork and engaging narrative take the reader through the biographies of 30 women, from Bette Davis and Mae Jemison to lesser-known but equally intriguing ladies like Giorgina Reid. All in all, this book provides a great way to get kids excited about history in an entertaining form. FOR TEENS: ‘BRAZEN: REBEL LADIES WHO ROCKED THE WORLD’
Learning to read opens up a world of possibilities. When your child walks through the back of the wardrobe into Narnia with Lucy Pevensie or rides with Harry Potter on the train to Hogwarts, they connect to something beyond their own experiences. In the U.S., April 23 is World Book Day, and the date commemorates the deaths of legendary authors Cervantes, Shakespeare, and Garcilaso de la Vega, as well as the birth of author Vladimir Nabokov. World Book Day is the perfect time
to sit down with your family and let yourself be transported to new worlds. So, here are three great stories to help you take young readers on brand-new adventures. FOR THE ELEMENTARY READER: ‘SONG OF THE WILD: A FIRST BOOK OF ANIMALS’ “Song of the Wild” makes a great read-aloud book for beginner readers because they can get lost in the beautiful artwork while you read the text. Written in prose and rhyming poems, this book showcases sprawling landscapes — savannahs,
Client Testimonial
“To my PT Team at ELITE,
I would like to thank you for a job well done and for putting me back on the road to recovery after my total hip replacement. What an awesome job you guys have done! I could go on, but it would have to be in the form of a book! THANK YOU!” ––––– –James L. Holloway
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Don’t be ‘Fooled’ about Physical Therapy!
Think Physical Therapy Is a Joke? Think Again!
IF THE INJURY SEEMS BEARABLE, I DON’T NEED TO GET PHYSICAL THERAPY/SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION.
Although we celebrate April Fool’s Day this month, there’s one type of treatment that’s no joke ... and that’s physical therapy!
Physical therapy is designed to increase a patient’s ability and decrease their pain. Abby LeBlanc, an Elite physical therapist, shares why physical therapy is no joking matter. “A lot of people think of physical therapy as just exercises,” says Abby. “In reality, our goal is to get our patients feeling better, and while there are exercises, we also do assessments, manual therapy such as dry needling, and balance training to improve patients’ quality of life and help them reach specific goals.” Patients who have less serious injuries, such as sprains, strains, and back pain, believe that physical therapy cannot help. In actuality, physical therapy can and does help. When people try to just deal with their pain or get better on their own, they actually risk making things worse for themselves. “An acute injury can become chronic, minor injuries can become more serious, and people can start developing secondary issues if the original problem is not addressed,” says Abby. Don’t be fooled into believing these common myths about physical therapy.
Ignoring the pain can actually make your injury worse in the long run! Get it checked out to learn about your treatment options.
I HAVE HOME REMEDIES, SO I DON’T NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY.
Physical therapists go through years of extensive training in order to get a degree and, therefore, they have the knowledge and expertise to treat patients and help them get better. While home remedies can relieve pain, it’s best to seek medical attention before relying solely on your own solutions.
I’VE HEARD PHYSICAL THERAPY IS REALLY PAINFUL.
You may have heard horror stories from your friends about physical therapy being an awful experience. Don’t let one story stop you from considering PT. You need to choose the right place for physical therapy to make sure you’re getting the best care possible.
If you think you may have an injury that needs our attention, visit Elite Physical Therapy today for an injury assessment — and that’s no joke!
Have a Laugh!
Blistered Asparagus With Peanut-Coconut Sprinkle
Ingredients •
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
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1 teaspoon agave nectar
12 ounces asparagus, stalks trimmed
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1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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1 Fresno chile, deseeded and finely chopped
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2 tablespoons peanuts, crushed
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2 tablespoons shredded coconut, toasted
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2 tablespoons soy sauce
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Salt, to taste
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1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Directions 1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil until shimmering. 2. Season asparagus with salt and sauté, tossing frequently until blistered, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a platter. 3. In a mixing bowl, combine chile, soy sauce, lime juice, agave, and ginger. Mix in peanuts and coconut. 4. Spoon over asparagus and serve.
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 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fri: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Inside THIS ISSUE
• World Health Day
• Books to Engage the Whole Family
• Hear From a Happy Client
• Don’t Be ‘Fooled’
• Blistered Asparagus With Peanut-Coconut Sprinkle
• Don’t Believe These Common Hair Myths
Have You ‘Haired’ These Common Hair Myths?
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RINSING YOUR HAIR WITH COLD WATER MAKES IT SHINIER. This myth is a little newer, and it likely came about because of another common skin care myth: Cold water “closes” your pores. Hair shafts don’t have any live cells, so they are not affected by cold or warm water. Cold water can technically cause the hair strands to lie flat, but anything you do to your hair afterward — blow-drying, towel-drying, or brushing — will negate this effect. Warm water is superior in terms of preserving hair health, as it removes built-up residue and restores your hair’s natural luster.
Long, beautiful hair has been a status symbol in many cultures for the past few millennia, so it’s no surprise that hair care tips have circled the globe over the years. Among these tips are a fair number of myths. Many of them have been debunked, but several are still widely believed today. 1. YOU SHOULDN’T DYE YOUR HAIR WHILE PREGNANT. This myth has been circulating since modern hair dye became popular, but many researchers agree that the amount of chemicals your scalp absorbs when you dye your hair poses little risk to a developing baby. What’s more, many companies
now have ammonia-free hair dyes, and some even offer organic, plant-based formulations that work just as well as their nonorganic counterparts.
2. TRIMMING YOUR HAIR EVERY SIX WEEKS MAKES IT GROW FASTER.
You’ve probably heard this age-old adage from various women throughout your life, but the truth is your hair grows at a constant rate even if you cut it often. Many people still believe this myth because regularly trimming your hair leads to less breakage and flyaways, which creates the effect of healthier, thicker hair.
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