Method eases access to physical therapy

Capt. Danielle Anderson, 60th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapist, performs lumbar manipulation March 16 at David Grant USAF Medical Center. Lumbar manipulation is used to treat acute lower back pain, which is one of the injuries that qualifies Airmen to receive a direct access physical or occupational therapy appointment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amber Carter)

Method eases access to physical therapy

Capt. Grant Tong, 60th MDOS physical therapist, performs a talocrul manipulation for an ankle sprain March 16 at Travis Air Force Base, California. Injuries that have happened within the last 14 days can be reported directly to the physical therapy and occupational therapy departments at David Grant USAF Medical Center to receive direct access to therapist without receiving a referral from a primary care manager. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amber Carter)

Method eases access to PT

Published March 18, 2016
By Senior Airman Amber Carter
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Airmen are the Air Force's most important asset and keeping them fit to fight is the goal of the physical and occupational therapy departments at David Grant USAF Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base, California.

The Air Force Medical Operations Agency recently directed all Air Force military treatment facilities to establish direct access physical therapy clinics for active-duty members.

"Our clinic is incredibly excited to begin offering this service to our Airmen," said Capt. Danielle Anderson, 60th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapy element chief. "There are several studies in the literature that demonstrate if patients with musculoskeletal injuries engage in physical/occupational therapy at the initial onset of their injury, the length of recovery time decreases, the need for high levels of medication decreases and the injury has a less likely chance of turning into a chronic issue that is more challenging to treat.

"Our goal with this service is to get patients into the right clinic at the right time, keep our Airmen fit to fight and ultimately be the primary services for maintaining our Airmen's physical health," she added.

Direct access means that an Airman with a recent injury, less than 14 days from time of injury, can call and request an appointment directly with the physical or occupational therapy departments without a referral from their primary care manager.

"Active-duty members with a musculoskeletal injury that is not related to a pregnancy or car accident qualify," Anderson said. "Injuries may include, but are not limited to, an ankle sprain, knee sprain, back or neck injury, shoulder pain, jammed finger, elbow injury, etc."

Feedback has been positive for the new program.

"The common theme patients report is that they get seen sooner rather than the traditional model of waiting to see their PCM and then a couple weeks to see PT," Anderson said. "They also like the education on what to do to fix their current issue as well as how to prevent it from recurring."

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the appointment line at 423-3000.