Photo By Senior Airman Kedesha Pennant | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Sara Moses, 7th Security Forces Squadron raider flight...... read more read more
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Dyess Air Force Base now has an aquatic physical therapy program for service members and their dependents up to three days a week at the Dyess Fitness Center indoor pool.
The program, which started in February 2019, is a supplemental therapy used to increase mobility, range of motion, strength and endurance of clients. It’s designed to allow patients to rehabilitate their bodies in a less physically-demanding environment.
The physical therapists start by administering an initial evaluation to identify dysfunctions in the body, such as lack of motion, strength, coordination or balance, for more effective and targeted treatments. The exercises and stretches done in the water depend on the diagnosis from the physical therapist and are based on the patient’s needs.
“We tend to see post-operative patients, such as those who’ve had a knee, hip or back surgery,” said Maj. Kristoffer Surdukowski, 7th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapy flight commander. “After their surgical incisions have healed and received medical clearance, we put them in this program. As they get better, we have them do land-based physical therapy. There are instances where some people have fibromyalgia or chronic inflammatory diseases and studies have shown that there are benefits from aquatic therapy.”
The sessions are open to all active-duty, Reserve and Guard service members, along with their dependents, from ages 18-65. Service members do not have to be referred by their primary care manager, but their dependents do.
Senior Airman Sara Moses, 7th Security Forces Squadron raider flight member, has been taking two classes a week for two months. She had been in regular physical therapy for four months prior.
“My hip has been popping in and out of socket,” Moses said. “This program helps strengthen my muscles and alleviate the pain, and I feel a lot better than I did when I started physical therapy. I’ve also heard great things about it from other people as well.”
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Dominic Lombardo, Detachment 1 Maintenance Company operations chief, has been in going to one session a week for the last two months.
“This program is amazing because it allows me to experience full-range motion,” Lombardo said. “I had two surgeries on my right knee, which resulted in me being on a profile. I’m able to do a variety of exercises, such as jump squats, that I’m not able to do on land.”
According to Meagan Willis, 7th MDOS physical therapy assistant, one common misconception is that the program is a swim or aerobics class. However, with progress, clients can swim and do aerobic exercises on their own to further aid in building strength and endurance.
Aquatic therapy is offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. with up to five slots available per 30-50 minute session. Service members can self-refer by calling the physical therapy department at (325) 696-5451 or by making an appointment at the front desk located in the fitness center.
| Date Taken: | 05.08.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2019 16:30 |
| Story ID: | 322424 |
| Location: | DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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