Photo By Master Sgt. Thomas Duval | Maj. Angela Diebal, physical therapist assigned to 1st Support Battalion, Task Force...... read more read more
EL GORAH, Egypt -- Standing at 5 feet, 4 inches tall, Maj. Angela Diebal may not be intimidating; however, her unique treatment procedures have many multinational Soldiers serving in the Sinai Peninsula thinking twice before stepping into her office.
As the Physical Therapist for the 1st Support Battalion, Multinational Force and Observers, Diebal utilizes unique and highly effective, yet sometimes painful, techniques to help injured Soldiers recover and return to their formation.
Some of these treatments include manipulation, therapeutic dry-needling and the Graston Technique.
“Physical Therapy helps improve mission readiness and success by keeping the force healthy and returning them to functional activities without limitations much faster than just the passage of time,” Diebal said.
Because of the unsettled gravel and rugged terrain, much of the injuries the former West Point student deals with in the Sinai are ACL tears, ankle injuries, Achilles tendinopathy and shoulder dislocations.
These common injuries compounded with the injuries suffered from popular sports like Rugby make the Graston Technique and Intramuscular manual therapy the two leading, but most dreaded procedures for returning MFO service members back to fully mission ready.
The Graston technique Diebal uses is an aggressive technique used by physical therapists and athletic trainers to speed up the healing process by breaking down scar tissue and fascial restrictions, as well as introducing micro trauma to soft tissue through instrument assistance.
Her work with dry needle saturation, although not as common as the Graston technique, is gaining popularity among Army doctors.
These specialized and unique techniques, combined with her experience at the U.S. Army’s Baylor campus and West Point, have made this Hermann, MO, native an important resource for the force to remain fully mission capable.
While her techniques have struck fear in many service members’ hearts, no one can argue with the results. Especially, Staff Sgt. Christopher Birch, who, after seeking treatment for an Achilles injury, returned to his formation stronger than ever.
“After six weeks of treatment and following a prescribed exercise program I have been virtually pain free,” Birch, the North Camp Dispensary NCOIC said. “I go to the gym every night, and I even ran my first half marathon with no residual pain or relapse.”
Although the treatment was painful, he said “the benefits of the treatment outweighed the pain.”
Hungarian Maj. Bernadett Polgar, the chief investigator for the Force Military Police Unit experienced similar results.
After a painful neck injury Polgar went under the dry needle for treatment. After a few sticks the discomfort subsided and she was back to normal, she said.
These stories of recovery are just few of the many success stories told among the service members serving here in the Sinai. It’s these stories combined with the fact that she is the only physical therapist on Camp that make Diebal one of the most sought after members of the team.
“I believe that Maj. Diebal’s clinic and her skills and techniques are one of the most beneficial on the MFO,” Birch said. “I felt an instant trust with her that she would work to make my injuries better.”
Despite being known primarily for her professional expertise and success, Diebal, the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, has also set the example for the Soldiers of Task Force Sinai and the MFO through her physical accomplishments.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Army major came in first among all women from nine separate nations in the grueling 30-kilometer Norwegian Ruck March.
“She’s a beast,” Canadian Capt. Mike Mueller said when describing her physical prowess.
From healing Soldiers to setting the bar for future generations, Diebal is fulfilling her childhood dream.
“I have always had the desire to help people and make them feel better,” Diebal said.
With her time in the Sinai coming to a close next month, the Baylor graduate says she plans to make her time count and hopes to help as many multinational Soldiers as possible before she reports to her new home at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2014 09:52 |
| Story ID: | 133343 |
| Location: | EL GORAH, EG |
| Web Views: | 1,198 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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