March 2018
ELITE Physical Therapy Lagniappe (318) 443-3311
www.elitephysicaltherapy.us
What We Learn From Teaching
Is there ever a time in our lives when we’re not learning? As children, we start from scratch and take in the world one crawl, one sound, and one word at a time. As teens, we learned from our teachers and from the stumbling blocks we encountered along our way. You might think that learning stops once you finish school, but the reality is that we are always learning. It’s no different here at Elite Physical Therapy. No matter how many diplomas we rack up or conferences we attend, there is always more to learn. therapy is a constantly evolving field, and we get to explore and develop the latest techniques and approaches with a focus on evidence during these classes and conferences. On a day-to-day basis, continuing education takes the form of sharing a clinical pearl or a technique we may have researched with each other throughout our workday. For all of us, this means participating in continuing-education opportunities. Physical We also see a lot of value in providing educational opportunities for the young people in our community. Our staff has a lot of knowledge and experience to share, and we make it available to others in the form of job shadow opportunities, mentoring young people, and assisting students with getting the observation hours they need as they apply for PT or PTA school. Our team works with several different schools, including LSU Medical Center in Shreveport and New Orleans, the University
As we’ve shared with you in the past, we’re passionate about community involvement and involvement in the profession, and this is something we also impart on our students. We stress the importance of giving back to the community and being an ambassador for the physical therapy profession. We provide these opportunities for students because we love our profession, and we love sharing it with others. We hope they’ll develop our passion for delivering a high level of care as they move forward in their careers. It’s a pleasure and an honor to watch as these students grow and advance, from their first day in clinicals, to gaining confidence and skills, to graduating and beginning their practice. Of course, as our PTs are mentoring their students, they’re learning, too. When you share your skill with someone else, you’re revisiting your own process and making it even better. That makes the role of education at our office invaluable. We’re looking forward to a spring filled with learning and advancing our profession. With so many opportunities for education, what are you excited about this spring?
PT students Courtney Berry & Bradly Jones work on their manual therapy skills.
of St. Augustine in Florida and Texas, the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, and Louisiana College, to provide these opportunities. For PT and PTA programs, students are required to attend clinical internships that last 4–10 weeks. During this time, students hone their clinical skills with the guidance of our experienced physical therapists and assistants. They learn how to assess and deal with various conditions and learn to develop their interpersonal skills with patients. Students also learn how to properly document the care they provide as well as how to master the rules and regulations that govern the physical therapy world. It’s a lot to take in, and we’re lucky to have such an all-star team of physical therapists here at Elite PT who are willing to provide such in-depth mentorship.
–Bart Jones
Elite PT • (318) 443-3311 • 1
Don’t Forget to Clean the Heart of Your Home The Importance of Spring Cleaning Your Utility Room
How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filter?
The start of spring brings everyone’s favorite seasonal chore — spring cleaning! As you dust, vacuum, organize, and declutter, don’t forget about the one room that often gets neglected. This year, give special attention to the utility closet. The utility closet houses your furnace, boiler, water heater, A/C junction, and other similar large appliances. Homeowners often forget about these appliances because they are out of sight and out of mind, and this can cost a lot in the long run. Like all the other rooms in your home, this space needs to be kept clean. Dust, for instance, can be hard on HVAC systems. Over time, it accumulates in the HVAC intake and clogs the air filter, reducing its effectiveness and efficiency. This results in a short lifespan for your system, higher power bills, and a poorly heated or cooled home.
Dust, dander, and mold can accumulate in the ducts and spread throughout the home, which can lead to health issues, including respiratory problems. A routine inspection will identify potential problems in your HVAC system. On top of that, you can get these systems professionally cleaned and maintained. These are simple steps that will keep your home’s air systems running smoothly for years to come. Plus, you’ll be ready for the summer months ahead!
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Homes with minimal foot traffic (single or double occupancy) and no pets or allergies: 6–12 months.
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Family homes (three or more occupants) with no pets or allergies: 3–6 months.
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Family homes with at least one pet or minor allergies: 2–3 months.
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Family homes with multiple pets or allergies: 1–2 months.
In addition to changing the air filter, it’s important to schedule a routine inspection of your home’s HVAC system. This includes an inspection of the appliances themselves and any connecting ducts.
Client Testimonial
“Travis is a very good therapist! He takes time with all of his patients and is a very encouraging and positive person. He always seems to put his patients in a position that is beneficial to their well-being. He is very confident in his job, as well. Even if he is working with another patient, he still gives you all that you want — sometimes more! He works with his patients to succeed and accomplish their goals. It means a lot to hear him say ‘Good job.’ He obviously takes his work and his patients’ progress very seriously.” -Jacqueline Carr
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Return to the Game Without the Pain
Look all around, and you’ll see sure signs that March Madness is taking over. Are you as excited about the upcoming basketball tournament as we are? Our LSU Tigers may not be in the mix, but there are still plenty of great teams to root for. We’ll look forward to great things from LSU next year. Beyond watching our favorite athletes, March holds a little more significance this year. It’s been a longer, colder winter than usual here in central Louisiana, and we’ve all been looking forward to a break in the weather. The time change on March 11 gives us more time after work for outdoor activities. You’ll be able to worry less about how many layers to pile on, too. You can finally get back out on the golf course, enjoy an outdoor lunch with co-workers, or take an afternoon walk. With warmer weather, we can begin to prep our gardens and get our yards looking summer-ready.
Before you dust off your road bike or jump into that warm-weather activity, make sure your body is prepared. We always recommend that you ease into new activities. Injuries are much more likely to occur when we take on too much too fast. If you’re working in the garden, be careful about staying bent over too long or pulling things that are heavier than you should handle alone. Take breaks, and don’t be afraid to stop for the day before overexerting yourself. Maybe you had an ache that began in the winter, and the increase in physical activity is causing it to flare up. If you do have pain, don’t let it get out of hand. Elite PT is here. Our team of physical therapists can check to make sure you’re prepared for all the great activities spring and summer have to offer. Call us today for an evaluation so you can spring into the season with ease.
Have A Laugh!
Braised Chicken and Spring Vegetables
Ingredients •
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4 large carrots, cut into sticks
1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 tablespoon sugar
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8 small bone-in chicken thighs
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2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
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1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
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Salt and pepper
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12 radishes, halved
Directions 1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Brown in pan for 6 to 7 minutes per side. 3. Remove chicken from pan and scrape off excess fat. Add broth and stir in radishes, carrots, and sugar. 4. Return chicken to pan, placing on top of vegetables. Gently simmer with lid on pan for 15 to 20 minutes. Finish with chives.
Elite PT • (318) 443-3311 • 3
Recipe inspired by Real Simple
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
• The Importance of Lifelong Education
• Spring Clean Your Utility Room
• Hear From a Happy Client
• Start the Season Without Aches and Pains
• Braised Chicken and Spring Vegetables
• The 3 Best Places to See Beautiful Flowers
Earth’s Most Beautiful Flower Displays
Washington, D.C. Besides the monuments and historic buildings, one of the biggest attractions in Washington, D.C. is the cherry tree blossoms. Travelers who visit the Tidal Basin during the spring can witness 3,000 trees, which were a gift from Tokyo in 1912, flaunt their beautiful pink blossoms. The best time to see the spectacle is from the end of March through the end of April. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Desert lavender, flowering cacti, pygmy poppies, and rock daisies are just a few of the many wildflowers decorating Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The various native species are often seen weaved together to form a colorful carpet over any barren patch in the
Spring is here, which means flora will soon be in full bloom. Flowers can be an easy pick-me- up or a great way to add color to your home, but some people take their flower obsession to the next level by planning botanical-themed vacations. Here are some of the most impressive gardens and flower displays in the world. Netherlands Holland, most famous for its tulips, always draws visitors at the first sign of spring. One of its most famous destinations, Keukenhof, located in Lisse, is among the world’s largest flower gardens. The park is 79 acres and boasts approximately 7 million flowers each year. This colorful garden is open annually from mid-March to mid-May, but mid-April is the ideal time to see the tulips.
park, which is located just two hours from San Diego. In addition to flowers, visitors often spot bighorn sheep. Wildflower blossoms vary in intensity each year, but they typically begin to bloom in late February or early March. Next time you’re planning a spring trip, consider visiting one of the world’s most beautiful flower displays. No green thumb required.
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