VP Rotary welcomes recent guests

April 15, Meeting
Rotarian David Mayeux invited Susan Fisher, special projects coordinator with the St. Landry/Evangeline United Way, to the April 15, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. She discussed the Seventh Annual Day of Action, which will be held June 20, and June 21, throughout the world. This is a way to mobilize all United Way volunteers across the globe in working together for advancement in common issues. She stated this is the second year that the St. Landry/Evangeline United Way will participate in the event. Fisher stated the local United Way has been instrumental in getting the youth involved in community improvement projects, such as painting Bayou Chicot Elementary School. She said many volunteers are needed to help beautify the city, schools, businesses and more. She added that corporate sponsors are needed and more manpower than money is needed. She also stated that the local United Way funds 12 local agencies in Evangeline Parish, including meals on wheels.
April 29, Meeting
Rotarian Annette Johnson welcomed physical therapist Clay Landreneau to the April 29, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Landreneau works at Healthworks Rehab in Ville Platte and discussed the process of dry needling. Landreneau stated dry needling was new to the physical therapy world and that most patients tend to see positive results with the treatment. During the process, a monofilament needle is inserted into the trigger point muscle, which causes it to twitch and relax. Every muscle involved in the movement process for the affected area is treated in order to help relax muscle tension and break the pain cycle. The length the needle remains inserted depends on the area of the body being treated and how bad the pain is for the patient. He stated the process can be used for just about any type of pain, including neck, back, joint, knee, shoulder, post surgical rehabilitation, headaches or sports injuries. A main benefit of needling, Landreneau said, was no side effects and quicker, better results. He added the affected area can be targeted and localized under the procedure, which is covered by most insurances upon referral to a physical therapist by a doctor. He added the procedure could be performed up to three times a week if necessary, with six to nine treatments recommended for best results.