August 2017
ELITE Physical Therapy Lagniappe Due Date (318) 443-3311 www.elitephysicaltherapy.us
I am so excited about the month of August! Not only am I honored to be the cover story for this month’s newsletter, but I’m also excited because Stephan (my husband) and I are preparing to welcome our first child, James, into the world at the end of this month. Needless to say, our summer has been busy with honey do’s and preparing our nursery for our baby. When thinking about this article, I came to the realization that none of these life experiences would have happened if it wasn’t for my love of physical therapy. It may sound funny, but I can trace all of this back to a couple of specific moments. My grandmother lived in a small town in north Louisiana without a physical therapy clinic like Elite PT. After her double knee replacement surgery, the doctor and physical therapist gave us instructions on how to help her do her exercises in order for her replacement to be successful. The doctor and physical therapist were in Baton Rouge but told us that if we took care of her, she wouldn’t have to travel for her treatment sessions. It was my first experience with the field, and I really enjoyed encouraging my Gran to do her exercises so that she could get back to the things she loved: tennis, gardening, and fishing. Then, in college, a friend of mine developed a tumor near her spinal cord that made it difficult for her to walk and swim competitively. I’d never seen health issues like this with someone so young, but seeing how physical therapy impacted her life made me realize that this was a profession capable of helping people all ages with all different types of difficulties. It was beginning to feel like a calling. I focused on this during college and applied for physical therapy school in Shreveport. I was accepted and started in May 2010.
both graduated with our doctorate of physical therapy in May of 2013. Originally, I thought I’d be doing inpatient rehab in a hospital and he would be in an outpatient clinic like Elite. But, as is often the case, life is funny: I’m working in an outpatient setting and he’s a few blocks away at Cabrini Hospital in inpatient rehab! Having a
common interest in physical therapy and caring for others is awesome; we get to bounce ideas off each other regularly and share experiences we have with our patients. We have many things in common outside of work, too. We love sports (especially LSU), being outdoors, fishing, hunting, cooking, and being at the camp with family. We are so blessed that our love for physical therapy has brought us to the Alexandria/Pineville area. We have met some wonderful people who have become like family to us. It is going to be a great place to lay down roots as well as continue to grow our passion for physical therapy. As you can see, physical therapy has played a huge role in my life, and I could not be happier!
-Abby LeBlanc
I met my husband during physical therapy school. We shared many of the same goals for helping people get back to the things they enjoy doing. We
Have a great month!
We have met some wonderful people who have become like family to us. It is going to be a great place to lay down roots as well as continue to grow our passion for physical therapy.
Elite PT • (318) 443-3311 • 1
Shake Up Movie Night With Crazy (Healthy) Popcorn Recipes
Popcorn is considered to be a fairly healthy snack by most experts, especially when compared to other salty treats, like corn chips. Unfortunately, microwave popcorn is another matter. Many popular popcorn brands use trans fats, which the Centers for Disease Control estimate are related to 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths annually. Additionally, a study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health identified a connection between the chemical diacetyl, used to flavor microwave popcorn, and cases of lung disease in workers at popcorn factories.
kernels into a regular brown paper bag, fold the top of the bag shut tight, then pop in microwave for about two minutes, or until popping slows to a second between pops. Voila! Fresh popcorn with no factory chemicals. If you’re craving some fun flavors, try these simple recipes. Traditional Butter Melt 2 tablespoons of butter, then drizzle it along the sides of a brown paper bag. Pour your already popped popcorn into the bag until it’s half full, close the bag tight, and shake vigorously. In no time, you’ll have perfectly buttered popcorn! Cinna-sugar Bliss This is a great recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth. Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
and 2 tablespoons of sugar to 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Drizzle onto the edges of a brown paper bag, add popped popcorn, and shake well! Sriracha Sesame Celebration Here’s to the adventurous popcorn lovers! Combine 1 tablespoon Sriracha, 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Sprinkle half over popcorn and shake well inside of bag. Repeat with remaining mixture. Whether you’re preparing for a movie marathon or need an after-school snack, any of these recipes will be a tasty alternative to the chemicals saturating microwave popcorn. Enjoy!
For popcorn lovers, the answer is clear: Make popcorn yourself! Pour ¼ cup of popcorn
August Testimonial “I had a really hard time with my total knee replacement. When I first started therapy, I was not able to do very much at all. The first few days were very bad, but then it started to get better. The staff here at Elite is awesome. I was always at therapy three times per week and never missed. I tried to always have a smile on my face and visit with the staff and the other patients. The staff is like my family. I will really miss them all. I will tell anyone Elite Physical Therapy is the best. May God bless them all.” Christine T. Gray
2 • www.elitephysicaltherapy.us • Elite PT
An Opioid Alternative
Responding to a National Epidemic
painkillers. The CDC reports that over 1,000 Americans are treated in emergency rooms every day for misusing their prescribed opioids, with tens of thousands of opioid overdose deaths occurring every year. As a country, we’re starting to realize that there needs to be a better way to treat pain. Physical therapy is a great alternative to many opioid prescriptions. Both acute and chronic injuries can be treated with physical therapy. Opioids are typically used to mask or reduce pain, but physical therapy tries to address the causes of pain and work to reduce those affects. At Elite Physical Therapy, we can develop a treatment plan for you based on your unique symptoms. We’ll help you regain mobility, build strength, and improve function. Injuries, both new and old, can recover, and
even chronic pain can be managed with physical therapy. By addressing the imbalances caused by injury and pain, your body’s own healing properties can kick in, giving you long-lasting pain relief, without the need for addictive pain medication. Opioids may have a use in some medical situations, but they should not be the first choice to address pain. The public and the media are becoming more and more aware of the opioid problem in our state and country. As a community, state, and nation, we need to address this epidemic head-on. Physical Therapy can be an effective way to treat pain by addressing its underlying issues. Talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives to opioids. Then, contact Elite Physical Therapy for a plan that’s tailor-made for you.
There’s been an explosion in opioid use in the United States in recent years; the number of opioid prescriptions nationwide have quadrupled since 1999. Although opioids can have a role in treating pain, the CDC is now recommending a non-opioid approach to pain treatment. The risks of opioid use are very high; 4 out of 5 heroin users started their addiction with prescription
Avocado and Cucumber Cold Soup
Summer may be drawing to a close, but the heat doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere soon. Cool off with this light, cold soup and enjoy those last few sunny summer afternoons!
Ingredients • Olive oil •
•
1 clove garlic
•
6 stalks spring onions
•
¾ teaspoon salt
•
1 jalapeno
2 medium ripe avocados, halved
•
½ teaspoon black pepper
•
1 lemon, juiced
•
1 large cucumber, halved
•
½ cup cold water
Directions 1. Preheat grill to medium-high. 2. Coat halved avocados
5. Once smooth, portion soup into bowls and
3. Grill vegetables until everything is grilled or slightly charred. Once grilled, remove and place on platter to cool. 4. Chop grilled veggies and puree with lemon juice, cold water, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
refrigerate to cool before serving.
with lemon juice to avoid browning. Brush olive oil over avocados, cucumber, spring onions, and jalapeno. Oil grill while hot.
6. Garnish with toasted
cubed bread, avocados, spring onions, chives, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
Recipe inspired by kirantarun.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
• Due Date
• Crazy (Healthy) Popcorn Recipes
• August Testimonial
• Responding to a National Epidemic
• Avocado and Cucumber Cold Soup
• View of a Lifetime
View of a Lifetime Where to Watch the Great American Eclipse
On August 21, 2017, the greatest show of the summer will take place in the United States: a total solar eclipse! This eclipse will be visible across North America, but the path of totality — the area where the moon completely covers the sun — will only fall in the continental U.S., leading this cosmic event to be called the Great American Eclipse. If you’re already in the United States, a day’s road trip is all you need to grab a front-row seat for this rare astronomical occurrence. Columbia, South Carolina Need a place to watch the eclipse in the southern U.S.? Then get yourself to South Carolina, where the state capital of Columbia is almost right in the middle of the path of totality. Plenty of hotels make Columbia a great viewing location for those who don’t want to camp out, and the vibrant city life means you’ll have a lot to do even when the eclipse is over.
Sandhills, North Platte, Nebraska In the heartlands, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more perfect viewing location than the Sandhills of western Nebraska. With wide-open skies, low rolling hills, and no towering buildings to get in the way, the Sandhills are sure to be a popular viewing spot. The Museum of Idaho, Idaho Falls, Idaho The Museum of Idaho has been designated an Official NASA Observation Site, and the museum is hosting four days of awesome events to celebrate. Enjoy live presentations, technology demonstrations, and special exhibits as you prepare to watch the total eclipse with NASA scientists. Visit the official website of the Great American Eclipse at greatamericaneclipse.com for everything you need to know about this once-in-a-lifetime sight!
4 • www.elitephysicaltherapy.us • Elite PT
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