From Anna Kim, the South Korean exchange student that Linda hosted:

"I stayed with my host mother Linda for two years, and she has a physical therapy clinic at her home. There is where I realized what my future life goals were. For the past two years, I have seen her help patients get their lives back. I have observed patients go back to work and be able to walk up and down stairways again. I have also seen patients adopt a better life style because of her education on patients' diets, habits, and emotional control. I have a great desire to be a person like Linda who heals and encourages people that have lost hope throughout their lives."

On Positive Psychology

by Linda Lauer

It seems most of my adult life I have been instinctually using and refining my own interpretations of positive psychology. I was an athletic coach for 20 years and getting athletes motivated and performing at their best is as much of an art as it is a science. Now for the past 25 years, I find myself trying to motivate chronic pain patients to overcome their learned helplessness. We are all products of our life's experiences. Everyday I teach people that are in pain and have surrendered control of their lives to what I call "the medical maze", that they do not have to live a life of pain and suffering. I see each individual patient filter what I tell them. I see how their level of education, what they remember or already have knowledge of (cognitivism), their "emotional filter" (constructivism), all have bearing on how they process what I say. I am hoping for changes in the behaviors that are contributing to their suffering (emotional behaviorism.)

Helpful advice on managing your health care deductible:

Managing a Deductible

Holistic Approaches to Physical Therapy

by Linda Lauer

Physical therapy and occupational therapy are different, especially in their didactic education and their clinical training. Most PT students are now pursuing doctorate degrees, and a master's degree has been required for several years now. The prerequisites to apply for PT schools are very similar to what pre-medical students take before entering med school. It is very competitive to get into a PT school, and the professional component of our education is very rigorous and holistic.

PTs are the experts in human movement and in recognizing specific dysfunctions and injuries. A PT is a specialist specifically educated and skilled in proper rehabilitation. PTs can help patients with pain relief, promote healing, restore function and movement, posture and body mechanics correction, fitness and wellness, stress management, relaxation techniques, coping skills and adaptations, and proper therapeutic exercise. Strength training is only a small part of what we do.

PTs set treatment goals with their patients. I always involve my patient in setting these goals. I want to know what is important to them. Often, I hear something like, "I want to be able to pick up my grandchild" or a father will want to be able to play ball with his young son. I teach my patients how to function without aggravating their injuries, how to avoid reinjuring themselves, and how to eliminate the underlying problem, if possible.

Educating patients is our most valuable skill. "Knowledge is power." I want my patients to have power over their pain and disability. Each patient is unique, in structure, body mechanics, habits and posture, and of course in personality and life experiences. Therefore, each patient is treated as a unique and whole individual!

Anyone in pain should be treated with compassionate support and respect in a healing environment. I am quite sure that both PTs and OTs are capable of providing this to their patients. Both professions are noble helping vocations. Neither is less holistic than the other.

Get to Know Linda Lauer, Chief Therapist at Holistic Physical Therapy!

Residence:

City of Monroe

Family:

Children Bill and Scot

Education:

Jefferson High School

Monroe County Community College

University of Toledo

Medical College of Ohio

Occupation:

Physical Therapist

Staff Therapist at University of Michigan Student Health Service

Independent Contract with PT for Rehabilitation Specialists of Monroe

Private Practicing PT

What did you want to be as a child?

I wanted to be a high school physical education teacher. I loved high school and I never wanted to leave. Also, I enjoy any type of athletics. This career would keep me involved in both.

Who were your heroes?

A high school friend, Linda Welch. She was intelligent, athletic, and she focused her talents in a positive way. She influenced me to turn myself around and be a good student and dedicated athlete. Also, my mother, she has such a strong, irrepressible spirit.

What was your first job?

I was a waitress at the Normandie Restaurant (now Timko's at Holiday Inn), where I acquired a healthy respect for how hard waiting tables can be. I always leave a good tip!

What do you most enjoy about your job?

I have a great career. I feel so fortunate that I'm doing something I love. It requires constant growth both in my technical knowledge and in my understanding of the human spirit. It has become my mission, to help people recover from pain and dysfunction. I learn so much from my patients--about courage vs. despair and determination to overcome misfortunes and suffering. It is so rewarding to be able to use my manual, hands-on skills, my technical knowledge and my instincts to help facilitate my patients' recovery.

What do you least enjoy about your job?

I least enjoy paperwork, not having enough time to do all the things for my patients that they need, and irrational, illogical insurance companies.

What would your ideal job be?

Just what I do now, without the paperwork, lack of time, and insurance hassles.

Favorite Movie:

My favorite movie is My Left Foot because it's the triumph of the human spirit.

Favorite Music:

I like R&B and Reggae.

Hobbies:

I like playing volleyball and coaching the boys volleyball team, scuba diving, water sports, and traveling.

Finish these sentences:

I like . . .

I like sunshine, tropical settings, open water, and beaches. Intelligent, vibrant people who have a positive zest for life (like Alex) and dancing up a storm!

I dislike . . .

I dislike négative, judgmental thinking, apathy, and laziness.

How would you describe yourself?

I am usually patient, always needing to be busy and productive and too perfectionistic. I love people and life. I enjoy nature and the outdoors (warm weather only please!) I'm always trying to learn and discover new things.