Airmen blend science of healing with art of caring

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Val Gempis
  • Air Force Print News
Air Force medical troops are playing an instrumental role in restoring the quality of life of individuals experiencing problems from physical trauma or general “wear and tear.”

The seven-person physical therapy team from the 374th Medical Group here provides services that help restore function, improve mobility, reduce pain and prevent disabilities for thousands of patients throughout the Pacific Rim. Fondly referred to as “the house of pain,” success here is sometimes measured in small increments that eventually overcome injuries.

Patience and hard work are the prerequisites to achieving rehabilitation goals and patient expectations, said Maj. Raymond Bailey, chief of the PT element.

“Our key role is to provide state-of-the-art, quality care to our troops and their family members. We want to get them on the road to recovery as soon as possible,” he said.

The Yokota clinic provides more than 32,000 therapeutic procedures per year, Bailey said. With today’s military involved in high-paced contingencies such as operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, he said the physical therapy department has a considerable impact, not only on the local mission, but also to the wing’s worldwide mobility tasking.

“Our goal is to reduce the loss of man-hours and man-days of our personnel. We want to get our people back in rotation right away so they can fulfill their deployment requirements (and) peacetime responsibilities,” he said.

On a recent morning, Chaplain (Capt.) John Tillery held on to the side of his bed with a vise-like grip while Bailey improved the range of motion of his injured knee. For about 10 minutes the chaplain moaned and grimaced while the therapist stretched and flexed his knee joint.

Afterward, the visibly relieved Tillery had nothing but high praise for his caretakers.

“They are professional, courteous and sometimes compassionate … once you get past the pain,” he said with a smile.

Tillery remembers the worst pain of his life when he first visited the clinic about three months ago.

“No pain, no gain. There’s no way getting around it,” he said. In spite of the discomfort, the chaplain said he owes his new-found knee flexibility to his aggressive PT program.

“Communication and teamwork are key here,” said Staff Sgt. Dan Davis, a PT craftsman. Because of the high volume of people at their clinic, they use charts and computers to keep track of what kind of treatment each of their patients is undergoing, he said.

“We like our patients to feel confident about our skills and training. Good attitude and lot’s of work makes a world of difference,” Davis said.

Using various devices and techniques, the PT team tests the strength, balance, coordination and endurance, and assesses the gait of their patients. They also provide therapy through exercises, traction, heat, cold and electrical stimulation. Team members also train patients to use crutches, canes and walkers. They also conduct aquatic therapy at the base swimming pool.

“It’s great coming here. The staff (is) friendly, and they definitely know what they’re doing,” said Tech. Sgt. Jeff Fant, an avionics specialist from the 730th Air Mobility Squadron. Fant, who’s being seen for a shoulder injury, said he looks forward to his weekly visits.

Although their work can be non-stop and often times exhausting, Staff Sgt. Shizuka Sanford, a PT journeyman, said it is an incredible feeling to see someone who could barely walk be able to progress to performing normal activities again.

“It’s similar to watching a baby take their first step,” she said.

Besides treating injuries, the element provides important self-care education and prevention programs that encourage patients to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

“It’s a gratifying, goal-oriented profession,” Bailey said. “You see patients achieve personal milestones and return to daily activities following serious debilitating injuries.”