Elite Physical Therapy Lagniappe

Come visit us at Elite Physical Therapy! 318-443-3311

May 2017

ELITE Physical Therapy Lagniappe (318) 443-3311

www.elitephysicaltherapy.us

Saying Thanks This Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a pretty special holiday because moms, in general, are pretty special. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my mother — or without the loving support of my wife and mother to our daughters, Sissy. I know Don feels the same way about his own mom, and his wonderful wife, Elizabeth. But even outside of family, mothers are integral to our lives. Elite Physical Therapy could not function without hardworking moms! In our clinic, we have mothers, grandmothers, and expectant mothers. All of these special women are vital to what we do. They deliver hands-on therapy to people dealing with pain, healing their injuries and helping them get well. They are the first faces patients see when they walk in the door, or the first voices they hear when they call. The mothers who work here are dedicated and energetic, and they perform many roles in our practice. They have many roles at home, too. They’re family women through and through, and their kids and family always come first, which is exactly how it should be. It’s not easy to juggle work and take care of young children, but they do it with grace and with a smile every day. They’re the model of Christian, God-loving women who are raising their kids right. I know that as those kids get older, they’ll appreciate the work their mothers have done, the example they have set, and how they have prepared them for life. At Elite Physical Therapy, many of our patients are mothers. They love to talk about their families, and we love to hear about them. Mothers play an important role in the care of their families.

“It’s not an exaggeration to say that our office wouldn’t function without hardworking moms!”

Many of our patients are in our clinic because a caring mother sent them here. From the high school athlete who got injured on the field to the college kid home for the summer, their mother is there to take care of them. We also have mothers taking care of their extended family, perhaps their own mother, husband, or other family members. That’s what mothers do. They look out for their family’s best interests and make sure they get the care needed to live healthy and fulfilling lives. This Mother’s Day, we want to send a shout out to all the mothers special to us, and we hope you’ll do the same for the hardworking mothers in your

own life. It might be a grandmother, a co-worker, a mother-in-law, a friend, or cousin; whoever they are, let them know you appreciate what they do. Being a mom is a sometimes thankless task, and during this special time we want to take the time to recognize them and let them know how special they are.

Enjoy this month’s newsletter,

Elite PT • (318) 443-3311 • 1 -Bart Jones

May’s Best Deals What to Buy to Save the Most

April showers bring May deals! This month, and thanks in part to Memorial Day sales, you’ll be able to save big at a number of different retailers. But scattered among all of these sales, you’ll be able to find a couple hidden gems that will save you hundreds, if not more. Take a look: Mattresses Mattress stores always seem to be having sales. If you’ve ever driven past a mattress store (or 12) on your way to work or while running errands, you’ve probably noticed the trend. But despite these endless sales, May is one of the best months to buy a mattress, and it all comes down to one day: Memorial Day. You may still need to shop around to find the perfect mattress for your needs, but with every mattress store running sales, that affordably priced pillow top won’t be hard to find.

Refrigerators Like mattresses, many kitchen appliances go on sale during Memorial Day weekend. But when it comes to May deals, not all appliances are created equal. Fridge manufacturers start rolling out new models in June, which means retailers need to get rid of last year’s stock. If you need to upgrade other major appliances in your home (dishwasher, stove, oven, etc.), you’ll want to hold off until late summer/early fall, but be sure to pick up your refrigerator now. What Not to Buy There are two big categories where you aren’t going to find any deals: laptops and Mother’s Day gifts. You’ll end up paying close to full price for these items. Laptop deals ramp up mid- to late- summer, during the back-to-school season. And, well, when it comes to Mother’s Day, if you wanted to save on a gift for your mom, you shouldn’t have waited until the last minute.

May Testimonial “On March 31, 2015, I was involved in an automobile accident that left me with a broken neck, broken back, and a spinal cord injury. This left me paralyzed from the chest down. After a lengthy stay in the hospital and rehabilitation hospital, I began doing both

physical and occupational therapy at Elite Physical Therapy and IMS. I am a C5 quadriplegic who lacks the ability to walk without assistance, and I also have limited hand function. But with the help of some great therapists at both Elite and IMS, I have gained — and continue to gain — the strength and endurance to get my life back to the way it was prior to my accident. I am thankful for all they do for me.” Mark Weatherford

2 • www.elitephysicaltherapy.us • Elite PT

Get Outside Your Box

Contributed by our local friend at TheHealthyLifeArchitect.com

Fresh air. Blue skies. Green grass. It’s definitely springtime in central Louisiana. What an amazing time of year to get outside and enjoy the beautiful gifts from Mother Nature. Whether your box includes the four walls of a home or work space, make and take the time to allow some sunshine (natural vitamin D) into your life. When the weekend rolls around, load up the kids and head to Louisiana’s only national forest, Kisatchie National Forest. We are so fortunate to have this outdoor mecca right here in our own backyard. Managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kisatchie is home to the longest trail system in Louisiana, known as the Azalea Trail, as well as numerous spurs that are also easily accessible from local trailheads.

more productive and healthier than their indoor counterparts. Hike. Bike. Run. Walk the dog. Let the kids explore. Or perhaps pitch a tent for the night. It’s fun. It’s an adventure, something the entire family can enjoy together. To access trailheads closest to Alexandria, head down Highway 28 west to Messina Road (then, follow the signs) or down Twin Bridges (less than 10 miles from the Jackson St/Twin Bridges Rd intersection). There is also a fantastic trail near the Kincaid Recreation/Campground area (Google Map search terms: Kincaid Recreation Area, Boyce, LA 71409) where you can see the bald eagles’ nest, and maybe eagles soaring out over the lake, too. It’s a phenomenal site. Parking is free at any trailhead. Nor is there an entry fee to access any of the trails. Note: Use of campsite does require a nominal fee.

You will certainly appreciate the sense of calm, your relaxed mind, and the fresh air. If you’re lucky, you may spot some wildlife or birds during your outing. If you’d like more info before you go and would like to speak to Elite’s resident “trail gurus” Don and Bart, give them a shout at the clinic: (318) 443-3311, or send an email to dcassano@elitephysicaltherapy. us or bjones@elitephysicaltherapy.us. They can certainly offer their insight and share their Kisatchie knowledge. Or contact the Calcasieu Ranger District office at (318) 793-9427. Happy trails!

Get outside. Enjoy. Breathe fresh air. Studies report that people who spend time outside are

have a laugh

on us!

Easiest Chickpea Curry Ingredients

2 (15-ounce) cans no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large yellow onion, diced

3 tablespoons ketchup

3 garlic cloves, minced

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick

Chopped cilantro (optional)

Pinch of ground cloves

Lemon wedges (optional)

Directions

Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover and increase heat to medium- high; cook until sauce is slightly reduced, for 5 minutes. 6. Serve with chopped cilantro and lemon wedges, if desired.

1. In a large straight-sided skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. 2. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until dark brown around edges, for about 6 minutes. 3. Add garlic, curry, cinnamon, and cloves and cook, stirring, until fragrant, for 30 seconds. 4. Add chickpeas, ketchup, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 2 cups water.

Recipe inspired by MarthaStewart.com.

Elite PT • (318) 443-3311 • 3

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

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www.elitephysicaltherapy.us

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Inside THIS ISSUE

• Saying Thanks This Mother’s Day

• The Best Things to Buy (and Not Buy) in May

• May Testimonial

• Get Outside Your Box

• Easiest Chickpea Curry

• Save the Bees

Populations Are Decreasing, But You Can Help! Save the Bees

Spring is officially here. The grass is green again, trees have regrown their leaves, and flowers are emerging from the earth. Busy bees are ready to pollinate the new blossoms, but sadly, the rusty patched bumble bee may not be around to pollinate much longer. The rusty patched bumble bee is one of 47 species of bee native to North America. These bees are “buzz pollinators,” which means they cling tightly to a flower and vibrate their flight muscles to collect pollen. In this way, the bees pollinate blueberries, cranberries, clover, and tomatoes. Once ranging from North Dakota to Maine and Quebec and as far south as Georgia, the bee’s population has declined by 87 percent

since the 1990s. Experts now consider the rusty patched bumble bee to be on the brink of extinction. President Obama made the rusty patched bumble bee a priority by placing it on the endangered species list in January. The reasons for the bee’s decline are not fully understood, but it is hypothesized that habitat loss, diseases, parasites, pesticides, pollution, and climate change may have something to do with it. Not all hope is lost. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has some suggestions for stopping the bee’s decline. Individuals can plant native flowers, limit their use of pesticides, and avoid cutting grass and garden plants after summer to provide a habitat for bees during the winter. This, along with the critically

endangered species status, may prevent the bee from extinction, and even increase future populations.

4 • www.elitephysicaltherapy.us • Elite PT

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