Month honors physical therapy

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Carter
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  October is National Physical Therapy Month and the physical therapy clinic at David Grant USAF Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base, California, is hosting a series of events throughout the month.

The goal of National Physical Therapy Month is to promote the profession and improve society's knowledge of injury prevention and optimization of human performance and movement.

"Physical Therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility," said Capt. Grant Tong, 60th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapist. "My favorite part of being a physical therapist is that I have the opportunity to make a difference in society on a day to day basis. Every day I have the privilege of helping others who are injured or suffer from other medical pathologies that can have a serious impact on their quality of life."

The clinic held a lifting and running mechanics event Oct. 9 to teach injury prevention.
"I'm going into sports medicine hopefully and I'll be teaching a lot of people things that I learned today," said Capt. Mike Argyle, Family Medicine resident and event participant. "I learned the way your proper form and technique can help prevent injuries and increase your own strength."

Other events include a tug-of-war challenge Oct. 16 with a championship on Oct. 23 from 12 to 12:50 p.m. at the Physical Therapy clinic. Also, a workout technique and injury prevention event will be held at the Jungle at the Travis Fitness Center Oct. 29 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

"There will be five to eight stations that will have physical therapists and physical therapy technicians who will provide helpful tips and proper technique to decrease the likelihood of injuries along with information for optimizing human performance with common exercises conducted at the Jungle," Tong said. "The physical therapy clinic also will be providing free giveaways and pizza while supplies last."

For more information, contact Capt. Grant Tong at grant.tong@us.af.mil.