Happy at Work – Page 14 – Fukuji & Lum Physical Therapy

March 9, 2015 By Mark Yanai

My Morning Cup

I’ve been fortunate to work for F&L for ten years and during this time, I’ve had many patients return for physical therapy. Some have commented that I’ve lost a lot of weight since they last saw me. They all ask me the same question, “What did you do?”

Most of my life I’ve been in decent shape. I’ve always been active and practiced mostly what I’ve preached by having a movement practice that involved many of the things that I’ve learned while being a therapist for 15 years. I’ve gone through different phases of exercises and nutrition as the research has evolved. I’ve weighed as much as 170 lbs and as low as 135 lbs during that time period.

Last year, like most people, I made a New Year’s resolution to be in the best shape of my life since I would be turning 50 years old. I came up with a plan to work out, eat right, and have the right attitude. Like most resolutions, it went out the door after a week. But not for the usual reasons of unreasonable goals or loss of momentum and motivation. Turns out that it all changed with a cup of coffee.

The day after New Year’s 2014, my nephew Ramsey, introduced me to a cup of Bulletproof Coffee. It contained a fresh brewed cup of coffee blended with coconut oil and grass-fed butter. It was smooth, delicious and the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had. It really sparked my interest that something so contradictory, (butter in my coffee?!?) could be so satisfying. It led me to do some Google-ing so that I could make myself a cup the next day.

Bulletproof Coffee was created and branded by Dave Asprey, a self described “biohacker“. Asprey came up with coffee idea after having a cup of tea that contained yak butter while hiking in the mountains of Tibet. He has gone on to create a brand that not only includes coffee, but other supplementations and technological tools to “biohack” oneself. He also created the Bulletproof Exec, which features a blog and podcast that is both informative and inspirational. His interviews are with other biohackers that have a specialty in exercise, nutrition, lifestyle, or performance.

I’ve listened to every podcast that he has put out and it has led to significant changes in my life style. By being introduced to other people interested in improving human performance, such as Ben Greenfield, Jimmy Moore, Kelly Starrett, Hal Elrod and Ari Meisel, I’ve been able to attain my goal of being in the best shape that I’ve been in for years. My perception of “best shape” has changed as well. While improving my physical presence was important, it was clear that focusing specifically on my diet, personal development and gratitude would make the most positive changes to my health. And with those positives changing first, my body changed as well. Most of my weight loss was body fat and i had increased energy, mental focus and a greater awareness to change.

There are many detractors of Bulletproof Coffee and of the biohacking community. There is the perception that many of the ideals behind it are not based on medical research and old views of what traditional medicine, nutrition and exercise should be. Yet our society continues to see increases in heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Challenging that traditional thinking has affected everything that I’ve done since drinking that cup of coffee and it’s led to a new life of fulfillment and gratitude. Starting my day with a cup of Bulletproof Coffee is part of my morning routine that I doubt will change for a while.

Over the next few blogs, I plan to talk about the changes i’ve made and how I think it can help others. If you have any questions for me, please feel free to email me at [email protected].

References:

Biohacking. (2015, February 7). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:50, March 9, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biohacking&oldid=646035829

Mark's Blog

March 2, 2015 By Mark Yanai

Indian Clubs

Indian Clubs have made it to F&L

Indian clubs are a type of exercise equipment used for developing mobility, strength and cardiovascular endurance. According to Wikipedia, Indian clubs or meels “comprise of bowling-pin shaped wooden clubs, which are swung in certain patterns as part of an exercise program.” Clubs can vary in shapes and weights depending on the type of exercise they are intended for. Wrestlers in ancient Persia and Egypt originally used these clubs as training tools. British colonists erroneously referred to them as “Indian clubs” despite their Middle Eastern origin.

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Indian clubs have been used for over a century and have made their way to F&L’s WORC site. The clubs have recently become a popular exercise tool due to a recent trend of using unorthodox exercise equipment like kettlebells, swinging maces, and sandbags. At WORC, we use them to improve shoulder and scapular mobility. Patients go through a series of movement patterns that emphasize scapular protraction, retraction, elevation, depression, and rotation. This prepares them for other movements that require full range of motion of the upper extremities. I’ve found them to be very effective as a warm up exercise that involves all of the scapular muscles including the rotator cuff. Learning the unique movement patterns of the clubs takes patience but once mastered, they can provide a great tool for rehabilitation and exercise.

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During a recent vacation to Tucson, Arizona, my father-in-law taught me how to use a lathe (machine tool below) and I attempted my first run at creating my own clubs. It was a fun experience and am so happy to see our patients using my creation as well as my father-in-laws clubs that he made for the clinic.

References:
Indian club. (2014, December 2). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:21, March 1, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_club&oldid=636282157

Mark's Blog

February 24, 2015 By Mark Yanai

F&L is Game Ready®!

F&L is continuously looking for ways to improve our patient care and has recently found a cryotherapy treatment system to assist in injury recovery of our patients. Our clinics are equipped with Game Ready® Cryotherapy units, a brand of cryotherapy that combines cold and compression therapies.

According to their website, Game Ready features patented ACCEL™ Technology (Active Compression and Cold Exchange Loop) to help accelerate recovery. Integrated active compression and cold therapies reduce pain and swelling, reduce muscle spasms, enhance lymphatic function, and encourage oxygenated blood flow – all to stimulate natural healing. While some might think that this is a new form of cold treatment, Game Ready has been around for a while. The company was founded in 1997 using NASA technology to create the first-ever sports medicine and post-op recovery device that simultaneously delivers active pneumatic compression and adjustable cold therapies.

Here are the benefits of Game Ready over other forms of cryotherapy:

LESS MEDICATION – The application of therapeutic cold helps reduce pain. With a cryotherapy machine, this effect lasts longer and many patients find that they need little or no pain medication. Doctors like this benefit because their patients can be weaned off of medication more quickly, and patients appreciate the cost savings.
LOW RISK – Traditional cold therapies can potentially cause skin damage if the temperature is too low. Cryotherapy machines give you complete control so you don’t have worry about negative side effects.
MORE COMFORTABLE – Nobody likes to sit in an ice bath, even if it will help someone recover more quickly. With cryotherapy machines, patients don’t have to deal with that discomfort. Instead, they can sit comfortably while an adjustable wrap encloses the injured area and applies consistent compression and cold.
MORE EFFECTIVE – The combination of active compression and cold has been proven to be more effective than traditional ice packs.

I tried the unit on my ankle after a hard workout that left me with my usual soreness. After fifteen minutes of treatment on the Game Ready, I was pain free for the rest of the day. The unit provided a comfortable level of compression and unlike direct cold treatments; the cold sensation was not as deep or painful.

If you would like to try out this great system and feel you may benefit from Game Ready, please ask your physician for a referral or contact our offices for more information.

Happy at Work

February 17, 2015 By Mark Yanai

NAIOMT: CMPT Certification

On Saturday, February 14th 2015, seven candidates successfully completed their Level III Oral Practical Exam to become Certified Manual Physical Therapists (CMPT) through the North American Institute of Manual Therapy (NAIOMT).

The test examiners included Erl Pettman (PT, MSCP, MCPA, FCAMPT) and Bill Temes (PT, MS, COMT, FAAOMPT).
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Erl is a senior faculty member at NAIOMT and has been a certified manual therapy instructor for the Olaf Evenjth system since 1990. Erl has been the primary instructor for the seven candidates as he has taught all four levels of NAIOMT courses in Hawai’i. I wrote about Erl in a previous blog when I completed my Level IV Manipulation Course.
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Bill is a graduate of the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT) Fellowship Program and received his Fellowship with the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual therapy in 1998. Bill teaches for and serves on the Board of Directors for NAIOMT. He also serves as the Director of the Supervised Clinical Mentorship Program for Therapeutic Associates.
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To become certified as a manual physical therapist by NAIOMT, one must pass the oral practical portion, which is known to be the most difficult component of the certification process. The candidates complete four stations, each focusing on orthopedic conditions. Each station includes various patient scenarios and test examiners question the candidates on presentation, medical knowledge, assessment and treatment for each case.
Two volunteers serve as patient models for each candidate. Due to the exam’s level of difficulty, NAIOMT recommends that all students of NAIOMT volunteer to gain experience of the testing process. I was fortunate to be a model for two of the candidates and was able to observe the exam. This opportunity gave me a great appreciation of the knowledge required to pass such a difficult test. The level of commitment to study for this test and the amount of stress in performing in front of your peers and respected professionals cannot be understated.

One of the candidates who became certified was Brad Kaya,(OCS, MSPT), a senior physical therapist and VP of Professional Services at Fukuji & Lum Physical Therapy. Brad currently practices at one of our Kaneohe clinics on the grounds of the YWCA at Kokokahi. Brad began taking NAIOMT courses in 2007 and is the first F&L staff member to take the NAIOMT exam and receive his CMPT. By successfully completing his certification, Brad can now be recognized as a Clinical Residency Instructor and mentor to students of NAIOMT and Andrews University. Our clinics will serve as a teaching facility for NAIOMT’s Clinical Residency Program.

If you are a patient or peer of Brad, please congratulate him on this tremendous accomplishment. Our organization is proud to have Brad as a CMPT as he leads the way for our other F&L employees currently taking NAIOMT courses. It is part of our mission and vision to become a leader in our profession by promoting continuing education and growth opportunities for our therapists. We enjoy bringing Erl and his NAIOMT classes to Hawaii twice a year and are grateful for the therapists who come from all over the mainland and the islands to take the classes.

Congratulations to all the therapists who officially becoming CMPTs and we look forward to many new certifications soon!

Mark's Blog

February 9, 2015 By Mark Yanai

The New Co Ops Are Here! Meet Sarah! (Part 3)

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MEET SARAH!

Sarah Agustin is our third Co-op from NEU who joined F&L this January. She is a graduate student in the physical therapy program and will soon graduate later this year. Sarah is also our very first student who is “homegrown” right here in the islands from the Nuuanu area.

Here’s a little bit about Sarah and her perspective of what it feels like to be from Hawaii and going away to the mainland for school.

What school did you attend in high school and what’s your current college?

I was born and raised in Honolulu and graduated from Iolani School in 2008. I completed my undergraduate degree at Concordia University in Irvine, CA majoring in Athletic Training. I am currently a Post-Baccalaureate of Physical Therapy at Northeastern University.

What drew you to physical therapy?

Being in the athletic training program I had the opportunity to shadow several physical therapists and see the impact they made on athletes’ lives. Seeing the process from acute care to post op, I knew this was my niche.

Why did you want to do your Northeastern Co-op in Hawaii?

Being from Hawaii I wanted to find a way to return to the islands to give back to the community. F&L offered a wide variety of therapy services that i could learn from which will allow me to build a better foundation.

What has your experience been like so far?

I was excited to return home after being away for a year to enjoy warm weather, ono grinds, and family and friends. I am excited to show the Co-op students what Hawaii has to offer.

What have you missed about Hawaii that you realized being away for college?

Being away for college I realized how lucky I was to live in Hawaii. I really missed the variety of foods and the Aloha spirit. I missed being able to wear my “rubbah slippahs” daily and not worry about the weather today, tomorrow or the next day.

What was the first thing that you were looking forward to eating when you came home?

Right off the plane my first stop was Nimitz BBQ for meat jun packed with a variety of Korean vegetables. Over the next several weeks I enjoyed Grandma’s Filipino food, Poke bowls, and Helena’s Hawaiian food.

Being the first Co-op from NEU to return to Hawaii at F&L, what are you hoping to find out about the experience?

During the first month at F&L I have witnessed a variety of skills and extensive knowledge throughout the staff. I am hoping to gain a better understanding of each of their specialties and how I can apply it to my future career. Such as: Graston techniques, manual therapy, and aquatics.

What’s been unique about F&L from your other experience in physical therapy clinics?

F&L is unique in that they focus on creating relationships not only between their employees but also with their patients. I really value that F&L embraces change, encourages growth, and challenges me to grow in my profession.

What is on your to do list while here in the Islands?

On my bucket list is to do many different hikes but most of all tackling Kalalau on Kauai. I also want to leave this Co-op experience with a better understanding of our profession.

What are your interests outside of school and work?

I love hiking, going to the beach, and spending quality time with my Ohana. I also love staying active and seeking new adventures.

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?

I hope to be a therapist that has a vast understanding of various modes of physical therapy techniques. I have an interest in specializing in hand therapy and prosthetics.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?

My greatest influence is my parents who have instilled the importance of a good work ethic. They have encouraged me to set high goals and to never give up.

Happy at Work

February 2, 2015 By Mark Yanai

The New PT Co-Ops are here! Meet Teagan (Part 2)

MEET TEAGAN!
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Teagan Ferguson is studying to become a physical therapist and is in her 4th year at Northeastern’s Physical Therapy program. She is returning to the islands to work for F&L as part of her school’s Co-Op program. Teagan is currently working at our Kaneohe Clinic and Aquatic Pool located at the Kokokahi YWCA.

Teagan told us about being in the physical therapy field and her experience in Hawaii these past few weeks.

What school did you attend in high school and what’s your current college?
I attended Haddam Killingworth High School in Higganum CT before graduating and continuing my education at Northeastern University.

What drew you to physical therapy?
In high school I really liked engineering but knew I wanted to go into the medical field. Physical therapy was a mix between the two worlds for me and has turned out to be a pretty good fit.

Why did you want to do your Northeastern Co-Op in Hawaii?
I knew I wanted to do my co-op in Hawaii because it’s a place I’d love to return to after school. I’ve never really had a home town since I’ve moved a lot but Hawaii was where I was born. Since part of my family returned to the island it seemed like a good time to come back and see how things have changed.

What has your experience been like so far?
My experience so far has been amazing. I love that I can work in both aquatic and land therapy here and the PTs and PTAs that I’m working with are great teachers. All of the patients I’ve worked with are very friendly and I’m excited to enjoy the rest of my co-op.

What’s the strangest thing that you’ve eaten since arriving?
The strangest thing I’ve eaten here is probably a Spam Musubi. It’s one thing I’d never had before and didn’t think I’d like.

What is on your to do list while here in the islands?
Visiting my family and taking my nephew to Hanama Bay are two big things on my to do list. I also plan on exploring more of the windward side of the island and spending some time by North Shore.

What are your interests outside of school and work?
Outside of work I enjoy taking photos of nature and animals as well as playing video games. Since being here I’ve really come to enjoy kayaking as well.

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?
I would love to be an outpatient physical therapist and I’d like to do aquatic therapy at least part of the time.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?
My greatest influence is my mother as she’s always teaching us to both set big goals for ourselves and work out butts off to achieve them. She’s very supportive and let’s us make our own choices because she knows different people have different paths to being successful.

Please give Teagana a warm Aloha when you see her at the pool or the Kaneohe clinic.
Next blog post: Meet Sarah!

Happy at Work

January 27, 2015 By Mark Yanai

The New PT Student Co-Ops are Here! Meet Cody Gilliss (Part 1)

For the past 7 years, F&L has been in partnership with Northeastern University’s Physical Therapy Cooperative Education Program. Twice a year our organization accepts outstanding NU physical therapy students as full-time employees and gives them the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in an outpatient orthopedic clinical setting. These students primarily assist our highly qualified physical therapists with outpatient care at our clinic locations in Honolulu and Windward Oahu, including the outdoor heated pool at the Kokokahi YWCA. The journey to Hawaii will offer students tremendous life-changing experiences as they strive to balance work, play and new discoveries during their 6-month employment.

We start this year with three excellent Co-Op students: Cody, Sarah, and Teagan, who will be working at various F&L clinics. They will be featured in the next few blog posts.

MEET CODY!
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Cody Gilliss, a 4th year student in Northeastern’s Physical Therapy program, decided to head out to the islands for his final Co-Op experience before he graduates. He is currently working with our therapists at the WORC location. We asked how his experience has been so far and here’s what he had to say!
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What school did you attend in high school and what’s your current college?

I attended Manchester-Essex Regional HS in Manchester, MA. I currently attend Northeastern University in Boston, MA.

What drew you to study physical therapy and become a physical therapist?

After a great experience as a physical therapy patient myself several years ago, I realized what a rewarding and fun profession it is. It’s a great way for me to help others get back on their feet and back to what they love doing, whether it be their own jobs, extracurricular activities, or spending time with their family and loved ones.

Why did you want to do your Northeastern Co-Op in Hawaii?

I really wanted a cultural and professional experience completely different than what I experience back in Boston. F&L is cutting-edge and has a way of treating patients that is not only effective, but unique and exciting for me to learn.

What has your Oahu experience been like so far?

My experience here on O’ahu has been fantastic. So far, I’ve been hiking (Olomana), sight-seeing the North Shore, and I also got to spend some time in town around the Ala Moana and Waikiki area.

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What’s the strangest thing that you’ve eaten since arriving?

Nothing too crazy. Although it’s not strange, Ahi poke bowls are 110% my new favorite food. After my first bite I knew that I’ll miss them once it’s time to leave!

What is on your to do list while here in the islands?

Surfing, learning about the Hawaiian culture, more hiking, and relaxing after a busy year at school.

What are your interests outside of school and work?

I grew up on the ocean back home, so anything related to the water. Surfing, beach, fishing, spending time on boats. I also spend a lot of my time around the gym as well.

What kind of therapist do you hope to be?

I hope to be a very well-rounded and well-educated therapist some day. I believe it is very important to be always educating myself about my profession even after I graduate. My professional journey has only begun as a student, but I know my time here in Hawai’i is a great stepping stone towards my professional future.

Who is your greatest influence in your life?

My parents are by far my greatest influence in life. They motivate me every day to experience as much as I possibly can every day . They’re my #1 support system and I am truly grateful for everything they have done to get me where I am today.

We welcome Cody to the F&L Ohana and look forward to his stay with us for the next 6 months!

Next blog post: Meet Teagan!

Resources:

Northeastern University

NEU Co-Op Program

Manchester-Essex Regional HS

Happy at Work

January 19, 2015 By Mark Yanai

Book Review: Cholesterol Clarity and Keto Clarity by Jimmy Moore

My First Book Review!

Today I received my blood test results and am ecstatic about my cholesterol numbers. About six months ago, i developed acute inflammation of my liver. My doctor took a lipid panel to find out what was going on and the results were not good. My overall cholesterol was 261 mg/dl, LDL 188 mg/dl, and HDL 28 mg/dl. Those numbers looked really bad when calculated and my cholesterol to HDL ratio was 9.3. The average risk for heart disease for males was listed at 5.0, so with my family history of both parents having heart disease, my doctor suggested medication to control my high cholesterol.

At the time, I had already been on the Bulletproof Diet and was having great results. I had dropped 20 lbs from the beginning of the year and reduced my body fat significantly. I felt great and had lots of energy so I knew that the bad numbers had something to do with the liver inflammation. But I didn’t like that my HDL, or what’s known as the “good” cholesterol was below the standard range and I needed to address that immediately. My motivation came from the fact that I needed to break my family history for my three sons.

When deciding what my next step was going be, I remembered listening to an interview on the Bulletproof Podcast with Dave Asprey featuring Jimmy Moore. Moore has a popular podcast, The Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show and is also the author of two books Cholesterol Clarity and Keto Clarity. I decided to read his books in hopes of gaining some understanding and knowledge about cholesterol and then apply what i learned into my own diet and lifestyle.

Both books are excellent reads. They’re full of citations from medical experts and studies so that you know the information provided is credible. Cholesterol Clarity explained the “why”, helping me to understand the invaluable lessons of cholesterol numbers, what I should be eating, and why I should avoid taking statin drugs. Reading Keto Clarity allowed me to execute the “how” in tweaking my diet. Moore does a great job in making a controversial topic clear for both sides of the argument. His life story is incredible and inspiring.

Armed with his valuable information, along with other experts like Ben Greenfield, Dave Asprey, and JJ Virgin, I made the necessary changes to address my “bad” cholesterol numbers. Below are the results of my latest blood tests.

Component	Standard Range	Your Valuei
CHOL	<200 mg/dl	324
TRIGLYCERIDE	<200 mg/dl	96
HDL	>34 mg/dl	88
CHOL/HDL	Average Risk of Heart Disease Females: 4.4 Males: 5.0	3.7
VLDL, CALC	0 – 40 mg/dl	19
LDL, CALCULATED	10 – 129 mg/dl	217
<100 mg/dl for diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Some people would look at my numbers and gasp at how high my CHOL (cholesterol) is. But I learned that that number is not as important as my HDL and Triglyceride numbers. The books helped me look at the numbers and understand that I’m doing great. Another test, CRP (C-Reactive Protein) revealed that I have very good heart health.

Component	Standard Range	Your Value
CRP	<0.8 mg/dl	0.1

You’ll learn all these things and more in the books. I highly suggest that everyone read them, especially if you or someone in your family has a history of heart disease. I share this information because I’m grateful for what Moore’s books have done for me. I am constantly asked what type of diet should patients be on while going through physical therapy. Many of my recommendations are based on the books I’ve read and I find myself referencing both of these books majority of the time.

Look for me to address this topic in future blogs.

Resources
Bulletproof Diet
Jimmy Moore
The Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show
Dave Asprey
Bulletproof Podcast
Cholesterol Clarity
Keto Clarity
Ben Greenfield
JJ Virgin

Mark's Blog

January 13, 2015 By Mark Yanai

We’re Mobile!

Mobile Therapy, We’ll Come to You!

Mobile Therapy is geared for the outpatient population in need of physical therapy in the privacy of their own home. Patients unable to travel to and from the clinic or have physical limitations are eligible for mobile therapy.

MOBILE THERAPY FAQs:

What types of conditions are treated?

General: Weakness due to age, injury or illness, cardiac conditions and pulmonary conditions.
Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Conditions: Arthritis, trauma, fractures, joint replacements, sports injuries, work injuries, overuse injuries, ligament sprains, and muscle strains.
Neurological Conditions: Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, other nerve injuries, traumatic/non-traumatic brain injuries, and multiple sclerosis.
Non-Specific Functional Decline: Increasing difficulty with walking, balance, getting in and out of a bed or chair, and falling.
Fall Prevention and Safety Assessments: provide evidence based fall prediction tools and environmental safety assessments.

How do I get started?

Make an appointment with your doctor to get a referral for physical therapy. To download a prescription form to take to your doctor, click here.

Do I need a special prescription (referral) for it?

No. Please ask your doctor to specify “Mobile” on the physical therapy referral form.

Does it cost more than regular therapy?

No. It is the same as outpatient physical therapy.

Will I be able to transition to physical therapy in the clinic?

Yes. The additional benefit of mobile therapy is that patients can transition to our clinics once they are able to find transportation. This would allow them to transition to our aquatic, land-based, or massage therapies.

Meet Joy Yanai, DPT, the director of our Mobile Therapy Program.
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Joy is a familiar face to the F&L Ohana. She was a physical therapist with F&L since 2006 and served as Kailua’s Clinic Director for two years before moving to St. Francis Healthcare with the opportunity to work as a home health therapist. For the past few years, she has gained extensive knowledge and experience in treating patients in their homes, a setting much different from the clinic. When St. Francis closed their home health services, she returned to our organization full-time to become the program director of our new Mobile Therapy Program, bringing her expertise to F&L.
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We are excited to offer Mobile Therapy as a new service and look forward to treating many new patients in their homes. Mobile therapy is part of the growing profession of physical therapy. It adds to our mission to deliver fun, happiness, and compassion in serving our patients and community.

Happy at Work News & Events

January 5, 2015 By Mark Yanai

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE F&L OHANA!

As we ring in the New Year and recover from the holiday festivities, I look back at what was accomplished in 2014 in gratitude. This past year was a banner year for F&L with many blessings bestowed on our organization.

THE BIG MOVES:

– Our Nuuanu Clinic closed after 13 years of operation at the Pali Medical Arts Building and moved to two locations at Kuakini Plaza and Tower.

– Our Kaneohe clinic closed after 15 years of operation on the corner of Kam Highway and Pua Inia St. and moved to join our Aquatic and WORC sites at the Kokokahi YWCA.

NEW BEGINNINGS:

– In celebration of WORC’s first anniversary, we held an Open House at the Kokokahi site for the medical community in Worker’s Compensation to show them our facility and the services we offer.

– A weekly WOD (work out of the day) at our WORC site for anyone who wants to learn new exercises, break a sweat, challenge themselves and have some fun!

– A Caregiver Workshop at our Kailua clinic gave tips and instructions to teach families how to provide safe and careful ways to assist loved ones.

– Our Mobile Therapy Program started in October to address a needed area of physical therapy for those who have difficulty with an outpatient clinical setting. More on this on my next blog!

VOLUNTEERS, PT STUDENTS, CO-OPS AND MORE:

– We continued our relationship with Northeastern University in Boston with our Co-Op Program with three outstanding students in Jessica, Ariel and Melissa. See our previous blogs for their experiences.

– This year we hosted more than 20 students from around the nation including Pacific University, Washington University, AT Still University, Loma Linda University, Montana University, and Northeastern University. We continue to have a strong commitment to Kapiolani Community College and their PT Assistant program as we provide clinical instruction for their students.

– F&L hosted two NAIOMT courses this year and continued our intention to become a training site for mentorship of NAIOMT professionals.

– We are now certified providers in Graston Technique and FMS Assessments.

F&L’S HIGHER PURPOSE!

– As a Value-Based Organization, we continue to be involved in community activities such as the Arthritis Walk, School Supply and Food Drives, and Susan G. Komen Race.

– Hope you were able to get your car cleaned at our annual FREE car wash! We appreciate the community’s support of our organization throughout the years!