Elite PT July 2018

July 2018

ELITE Physical Therapy Lagniappe (318) 443-3311

www.elitephysicaltherapy.us

There Are 2 Types of People in the World

Choosing to Be Happy

WWII, then injured again in the Korean War. He received two Purple Hearts for his brave acts of service. You could tell that he was the kind of person who would be there for you under any circumstance. His spirit is what I remember best. He enjoyed life and always had a smile on his face. A true Cajun, he loved to cook and eat. He was a joy as a patient. He had a lot of physical problems and dealt with a great deal of chronic pain, but he was always smiling and happy. One day I asked him how he could keep that positive attitude with all of his pain. He said to me, “There are two types of people in this world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy!” As you can tell, Mr. Brouillette always chose the former. Folks like Mr. Brouillette remind us of how lucky we are. It’s easy to complain about the small inconveniences we face, but when I think of him, I remember: I choose to be happy. It changes my attitude. The Fourth of July is coming up and you can bet we will have our “red, white, and blue” going that week. We love the flag, and we love our country. Most of all, we are grateful for people like Mr. Brouillette and other veterans who bravely fought for our freedom. Their sacrifices and dedication to our country are an inspiration.

Even though the Fourth of July represents the founding of our country, I tend to think about those who have sacrificed for our country. My grandfather comes to mind. He was a Navy Seabee stationed in the South Pacific during WWII. He was a great man, and I think about him a lot. Over the years, I have treated veterans from WWII, the Korean war, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. I have also had the honor of treating many others who have proudly worn the uniform. We have treated them for a variety of reasons, some being actual service injuries. Some of these folks were actually injured in combat and have Purple Hearts and other commendations. I have also treated people without realizing that they were veterans. When I do make that connection, I love to talk about what they have done in the service and where they have been around the world. We are honored to work

with these brave men and women and help them through their physical needs at Elite PT.

We currently have a patient who was involved in combat in the Korean War and was recounting to me the Battle of Bloody Ridge, where 2,700 United Nations soldiers died. He recalled how cold it was and how incredible the emotions are in response to the great loss of lives. Recently, we’ve also seen veterans from The Gulf Wars and Vietnam War in our office. The Vietnam veteran was injured in combat and has a Purple Heart. The bravery of these veterans is staggering. One of my favorite patients was Mr. Menard Brouillette. Mr. Brouillette is now deceased, but I think of him often for a couple of reasons.

–Bart Jones

Mr. Brouillette was a Marine and WWII veteran. He was injured at the Battle of Iwo Jima in

Elite PT • (318) 443-3311 • 1

Keep Your Family Safe How Much Sunshine Is Too Much? To many people, summer is all about heading

SPEND LESS TIME IN THE SUN If you’re planning to spend a significant amount of time in the sun, consider your environment. Will there be plenty of shade? Will you have to bring your own? What’s the best way to step out of the sun for a few minutes? Wearing sunscreen and protective clothing are great ways to shield yourself from UV rays, but it’s important to avoid being in direct sunlight for long periods. Taking a break from the sun gives your body the time it needs to recuperate and helps prevent sunburn and heatstroke. COMMON MYTHS ABOUT SUN EXPOSURE Many people think that a tan is better than a sunburn, but the result of tanning is still sun damage. When your skin tone changes due to the sun, regardless of whether it tans or turns

red, it’s a result of the epidermis reacting to damage caused by UV rays. Both are symptoms of harmed skin. While vitamin D is important, the sun does not contribute to its creation as much as you might think. Doris Day, a New York City dermatologist, explains that if your skin were to constantly produce vitamin D from being in the sun, it would reach toxic levels. Vitamin D is the only vitamin that your body can produce on its own, through a common form of cholesterol or 7-dehydrocholesterol. Spending time in the sun does help vitamin D form, but you need far less exposure than you think.

outside to enjoy the weather. But getting too much sun can be dangerous. To have a fun-filled summer with your family this year, remember that it’s essential to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. COVER UP Covering your skin is one of the best ways to avoid skin damage. Wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants or skirts can protect your skin from direct exposure to UV rays. While this tactic protects you from the sun, it offers poor defense against the heat. So, if you opt for cooler attire, it’s important to cover all exposed skin with a copious amount of sunscreen. Be sure to reapply every two hours for maximum skin protection.

Knowing how to protect yourself from UV rays is the first step to having a safe, fun-filled summer!

Client Testimonial Elite Physical Therapy is the BOMB!

I was sent here for treatment of bursitis of my hips. I kind of dreaded coming because I knew I was going to have to do the kind of activity I don’t really like to do — physical exercise! When I came the first time, one of the people working with me was my former student, Courtney. I felt better already. She was very careful to tell me not to overdo anything to the point of pain. As time progressed, I was treated by very professional and competent people. They kept track of my progress and adjusted my exercises as needed. It became fun! One day after I had worked in my yard, I decided I hurt too badly to come to therapy. I came anyway. I lumbered painfully in and started my exercises. After a few minutes, I realized that I was feeling better. By the time I finished, I wanted to dance out of the gym. I came to Elite for treatment of bursitis in my hip. I had difficulty walking up stairs and putting on socks. Walking was painful. Now, I go upstairs with ease, quickly don my socks, and have little pain. My favorite part of this whole experience is the happy atmosphere. It is like family with therapists and patients. There is laughter, encouragement, people checking up on one another, teasing, and just a joy in life and people. Thanks to Carol, Kelsey, Jessica, Tonya, and Crystal!

–––- Joan Lanius

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What a Pain in the Foot! Easing the Discomfort of Plantar Fasciitis

we can help you identify the cause and develop a course of treatment that will reduce the likelihood of pain recurrence. We can watch you walk and look at the mechanics of your foot to find problems that cause plantar fasciitis. The knee, hip, and back can also influence the function of the foot, so we look at that too! We work on the way you walk and evaluate how your functional movements affect your foot so we can begin to reduce the pressure in your plantar fascia. Treatment of plantar fasciitis can involve many things, including addressing your biomechanical issues, controlling inflammation, and addressing the soft tissue problems in your foot and calf. Soft tissue mobilization techniques, trigger point dry needling, stretching, ice, and exercise are also used to address the symptoms in your foot.

In our business, we often have conversations with people that start off with, “I didn’t know how many people had (insert diagnosis) until I got it!”

pain. There is a band of tissue extending from the heel across the arch to the ball of the foot called the plantar fascia. When you take a step, pressure is placed on this structure, which can create inflammation and PAIN! Pain can be intensified by walking or standing barefooted or in shoes that do not support your foot in the way that is best for you. Many times, it is difficult to identify what caused the problem, but it is often some sort of mechanical issue. The are no surefire ways to control your pain, but at Elite Physical Therapy

Plantar fasciitis is one of those diagnoses.

Have you ever had plantar fasciitis? You may have had it without even knowing what to call it. Typical symptoms include heel and/or arch pain in the foot. Pain often shows up in your first step of the morning or after sitting for a long period of time. Many people believe that it is a problem with the heel itself, but it’s actually not the heel bone (calcaneus) that causes the

Call Elite PT today to address your plantar fasciitis, and find out how to ease the pain in your foot!

Have a Laugh!

Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops

Ingredients •

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

4 boneless pork chops

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

3 tablespoons raw honey

2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions 1. Heat oven to 400 F. 2. Generously season pork chops with salt and pepper. 3. In a saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, red pepper flakes, and thyme. 4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer gently for 5–6 minutes.

5. On high heat in an oven-safe saute pan or skillet, sear the pork chops for 1–2 minutes on each side. 6. Brush chops with half of glaze and transfer to oven. 7. Roast 6–8 minutes. 8. Remove from oven and brush with another coat of glaze. Let cool 5–10 minutes and serve.

Elite PT • (318) 443-3311 • 3

Inspired by paleoleap.com

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

• Celebrating Freedom and Choosing Happiness

• Battling the Summer Sun!

• Hear From a Happy Client

• How PT Can Ease the Pain of Plantar Fasciitis

• Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops

• Take Your S’mores to the Next Level

Can I Have S’more? Creative Twists on the Campfire Classic

S’MOREO A simple but memorable twist on the campfire classic. Grab a box of Oreo cookies, pull a cookie apart, and use that in place of your graham cracker. The cream filling will pair nicely with the chocolate and toasted marshmallow. S’MORES MILKSHAKE Too hot for a campfire? Cool down with a s’mores milkshake! The trick is to lightly toast the marshmallows in the oven so they mix well with the other ingredients in the blender. Get the recipe at spoonfulofflavor.com/2013/08/30/ smores-milkshake to enjoy this sweet treat even in the heat of summer. It’s the simple recipe that opens the door for creative interpretations of the classic s’more. Be adventurous this summer and see what great new s’mores you can create!

and marshmallow. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even add some bacon.

S’MORES IN A JAR Here are s’mores you can enjoy all year long. Layers of crushed graham cracker, melted marshmallow, and creamy chocolate turn a simple jar into a great dessert! Learn how to make the perfect s’mores on the go at family.disney.com/recipe/smores-in-a-jar . STRAWBERRY S’MORE-CAKE If you really want to wow your guests at the next bonfire, try your hand at this creative take on the summertime classic. Gooey s’mores meet fresh strawberry shortcake in a dessert that’s as delicious as it is original. Find the whole recipe, including tips on making the perfect shortcake, at aspicyperspective.com/smores-strawberry- shortcake-recipe .

You’re just three ingredients away from the perfect summertime treat: chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. The s’more is a fan favorite on camping trips and at backyard bonfires alike. Though they say you can’t improve perfection, we’ve found a few creative twists on the classic treat that will make your summer a little sweeter. THE ELVIS A campfire snack fit for a king — of rock ’n’ roll, that is. This s’more pays homage to Elvis Presley’s love of peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Swap out the chocolate bar for a peanut butter cup candy and add a few slices of fresh banana between the graham cracker

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