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Maybe it was the extra 10 pounds during a power-lift or not achieving the correct footing during a parachute landing; injuries can happen at any given moment.
For Airmen seeking help in recovery and wanting to get back to the mission, there is a medical section on base providing that support.
The 86th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapy clinic works with patients to problem solve and determine the exact cause of dysfunction or pain, then they implement a treatment program to best target the problem and optimize recovery.
“Physical therapy is important to the Air Force to keep its members mission ready at any time and complete the tasks asked of all of us by our nation’s leaders,” said Maj. Brian Smith, 86th MDOS staff physical therapist.
The clinic has an array of treatments for the patients, including comprehensive exercise programs, manual therapy, manipulation of joints, dry needling and electric therapy for muscle contraction promotion.
“On average, we treat about 350 to 400 patients a month,” said Master Sgt. Antwionett Wheeler, 86th MDOS physical therapy physical flight chief.
Some of the most common injuries the physical therapy clinic treats are running injuries, lower back pain, shoulder pain and sports injuries.
“By far the greatest amount of injuries are from inadequate activity and then being a ‘weekend warrior’ instead of budgeting the busy demands of the Air Force to include adequate physical training,” Smith said.
Having physical therapists on base who know the physical requirements of the military physical fitness program also helps Airmen get back to those standards.
“Some of the most common injuries occur when an Airman is not fully prepared for an increase in physical exercise or training too late and too fast to pass a fitness test,” Smith said.
The clinic also treats patients post operatively and takes care of them for about six to nine months depending on the surgery, helping them get back to their normal daily activities and mission readiness.
Smith said poor posturing can also be a cause for a referral to physical therapy.
“We spend countless hours at computers, which can cause postural deviations that contribute to neck, lower back, mid back and shoulder pain,” Smith said.
The staff of the physical therapy clinic are not miracle workers. Every patient needs to be ready to work hard in order to receive positive recovery.
“Patients need to be motivated to improve themselves,” Smith said.
With the skills provided by the physical therapy staff, individuals can expect the best possible outcome, overcome injury and return to optimal function.
The clinic works with patients, seeing their recovery from the beginning to end. They also receive positive feedback from previous patients.
“I love running into a patient three or four months down the road and they say, ‘I took my PT test last week and I got a 90,’ or even, ‘I passed my PT test, and I had no problems with my knee,’” Wheeler said. “It’s great to hear, knowing you had a part in their rehab.”
By providing top class therapeutic support, the 86th MDOS physical therapy clinic helps keep Airmen fit to fight by giving them the tools they need to get better.
“Air Force physical therapists are the maintainers of the human weapon system, keeping individuals functioning optimally for their team,” Smith said. “Everyone is important to the Air Force mission and has something to offer, and we are
here to provide the best possible treatment to return our patients to full duty and a healthy, active lifestyle.”
