Physical therapists help patients move forward

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col Frank Glenn
  • 59th Medical Wing Physical and Occupational Therapy
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  October is national physical therapy month and this year's theme is "Move Forward: Physical Therapy Brings Motion to Life."

Making the commitment to be physically active promotes movement, reduces pain, restores function and prevents disability. One of the important roles that physical therapists play in the area of physical activity is to promote the capacity for movement in all patients.

Physical therapists use their knowledge, skills and experience to help people take control of the movement that is critical to their lives. Real-life scenarios exist where the rehabilitation experts are not used, negatively impacting both quality of life and mission readiness.

Physical therapists agree that movement is essential to a person's everyday life. Dysfunctional mobility or immobility impacts physical and mental health, as well as the quality of  relationships, work and communication.

Physical therapists have served in the military since World War II and in the Air Force since 1949. Military physical therapists and technicians deploy around the world for regional contingencies, peacekeeping, humanitarian missions and natural disasters to provide specialized treatments, wound management, gait and balance training as well as manual therapy for servicemembers and others in need.

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.

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.

This year's campaign slogan states a primary physical therapy tenet in the Air Force's fast-paced, steady-state of readiness:  "Move Forward."