Healing for those who need help -- Physical therapy clinic enhances quality of life at Fairchild

Published Feb. 29, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Earlandez Young
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- "My overall goal when a patient initially comes in is to get them back to at least the level of function they were before their injury -- if not better," said licensed physical therapy assistant, Eva Burt, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron.

It goes without saying that serving in the Air Force is not without its hazards. From simple accidents to training injuries to wound recovery, Air Force physical therapists have a role in maintaining the health and readiness of more than 300,000 active duty Airmen.

"We perform a variety of duties, including evaluating and treating patients, implementing research activities, conducting training, establishing professional care standards and serving as consultants to the medical staff," said Staff Sgt. Sean Devereaux, 92nd MDOS physical therapy craftsman.

Fairchild's musculoskeletal experts, also known as physical therapists, treat sprains, strains, sports injuries and perform ultrasounds.

Master Sgt. Daniel Davis, 92nd MDOS NCO in charge, said the clinic doesn't treat neurological conditions such as spinal cord injuries, strokes and pediatrics, but will treat some general things such as shin splints, back pain, and normal shoulder, knee and ankle injuries.

"If I see a patient who has a diagnosis or problem I don't think we can treat, I'm more than happy to refer them to the network or a downtown physical therapist," said Maj. Marc Weishaar, 92nd MDOS physical therapy flight commander. "But, if we can handle the problem, they are seen here if they're impaneled here, which means they've chosen to receive medical care at Fairchild."

The physical therapy clinic has three different types of appointments for patients; evaluations (30-40 minutes) follow-ups (10-20 minutes) and treatments, which can vary from as little as five minutes to an hour in a half depending of the rehab they are receiving.

The core purpose of physical therapy is to enhance health and quality of life through human movement, improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities.

The Air Force physical therapy mission is simple; "Get Airmen moving, restore normal pain-free function, increase human performance and return those warriors to full duty so they may contribute towards achieving the nation's objectives."

"I like to view the bulk of our Airmen as athletes," said Weishaar, who is dual board certified in orthopedics and sports. "In the Air Force, we are expected to be fit to some level. When professional athletes are injured and miss a game, it's frustrating for them right? Same as 'our athletes,' when an Airman is on a profile, can't deploy, perform their job and/or do their fit test - it's frustrating and becomes very stressful [which can now cause back pain -- an additional problem]. Sometimes problems aren't completely physical, but they're mental and manifest into physical problems, so the mental aspect and staying positive is extremely important."

The physical therapy clinic is compromised of two civilian physicians, one civilian medical administrator and three active duty Air Force physicians. The physical therapy flight commander said having civilian contractors and general schedule employees within the military helps their clinic maintain access and continue on with the mission.

"Whether they are civilian or military, I think the way we gel and work together in our environment is very good," said Weishaar. "The fact we have a medical administration person gives us a big advantage because a lot of physical therapy clinics don't have that, and if we didn't, it requires me to have a technical sergeant who is trained in patient care to be working at the front desk as a medical administrator, so with Anita Hill working that position, it allows us to be more efficient than a lot of physical therapy clinics in the Air Force."