Introduction

The Physical Therapy business is growing across the nation. As baby-boomers reach the age where joint pain makes it difficult for them enjoy every day activities, physical and occupational therapy services are becoming more and more of a necessity. They are not only looking for relief from their pain, but desire to improve their lifestyle as well. In response to this growing trend, the Baton Rouge Health Connection will offer an outpatient physical therapy clinic and fitness center for the people of Baton Rouge. This wellness center will offer a total lifestyle approach for healthy living through exercise, nutrition, and community programs. The clinic will provide rehabilitation services to help restore movement and function to injured patients, helping them return to their prior level of independence. The rehabilitated patients can then transition over to the fitness center where they can continue to exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent re-injury.
The project’s client is the Department of Physical Therapy at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center located in New Orleans. The department will set up an affiliation clinic in Baton Rouge and team up with practicing physical therapists to create a learning outpatient clinic. Here, LSU undergraduate kinesiology students and those in the Physical Therapy program at LSUHSC can acquire hands on experience while working with and assisting licensed physical therapists.