Page 10 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 3-4-16

March 4, 2016 Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
10 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb

Physical
therapy

speeds recovery

Story and photos by tions Squadron Surgical Services flight “Some of the biggest issues or injuries a muscle isn’t being used, it atrophies Airman 1st C
Senior Airman chief. “Therapists evaluate individual we treat depend on intramural sports which can reduce the patient’s range of runs on an a
patients and develop a plan using and when they are played,” Crudup motion. If you feel you have an issue, simulate wal
JAMES HENSLEY treatment techniques to promote the said. “During flag football season we don’t wait until it’s too late. Have it percent.
ability to move, reduce pain, restore have an influx of ankle sprains. In soft- treated immediately.”
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs function and prevent disability.” ball season we see more shoulder inju-
ries, and lower back pain in general is Meghann La Marca, 56th MDOS
Having an injury can be difficult. It Physical therapy provided by the one of the top reasons patients visit us.” physical therapist said the stigma of
can affect fitness, daily routine and 56th Medical Group offers a variety of being medically boarded for visiting
the ability to accomplish the mission. services for active-duty members. With the number of sports related physical therapy needs to be laid to rest.
That’s why it’s the job of Luke Air injuries, the physical therapists see a
Force Base physical therapists to help “Some of the services available and lot of patients to help them get back “People shouldn’t be afraid of us, or
active-duty personnel recover from treatments provided at Luke include to participating in sports safely and push through pain,” La Marca said.
their injuries. dry needling of muscles, aqua massager, continue the missions. “We are here to educate our patients.
anti-gravity treadmill, paraffin waxing If you’ve had pain consistently for more
“Physical therapy is the treatment of of joints, electrical stimulation, patient “We see up to 44 patients each day,” than a week, you should make an ap-
disease, injury, or deformity by physi- education, and hands-on joint and tis- said Senior Airman Atreyu Key, 56th pointment with us.”
cal methods such as massage, heat sue mobilization to reduce inflamma- MDOS physical therapy medicine tech-
treatment, and exercise rather than tion and restore function,” Crudup said. nician. “We help improve major motor For more information, contact a pri-
by drugs or surgery,” said Master Sgt. skills. Something to keep in mind is if mary care manager to get a referral to
Percel Crudup, 56th Medical Opera- Injuries can be somewhat seasonal. receive physical therapy.

Master Sgt. Percel Crudup, 56th MDOS Surgical Services Meghann LaMarca, 56th MDOS physical therapist, talks with a patient about recovery. Services of- Senior Airma
flight chief, uses a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimu- fered include an aqua massager, anti-gravity treadmill, patient education, and hands-on joint and tis- Base. Physic
lation unit to block a patient’s pain receptors. The TENS sue mobilization.
unit combined with ice helps block pain receptors in the
patient’s brain. Physical therapy uses it to help ease muscle
and joint pain and aid recovery.