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Fort Hood Press Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: November 3, 2011 3:08:38 PM CDT

Physical therapy important to achieving combat readiness

By Patricia Deal

CRDAMC Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas – Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center employees and patients learned “everything you ever wanted to know about physical therapy and more” at the Physical Therapy Department's open house Oct. 27.

To highlight the October campaign for physical therapy awareness, CRDAMC PT staff put on a series of events and exercises to help educate attendees on all the services they offer patients, according to Lt. Col. Page Karsteter, chief of the PT department.

“Physical therapy is essential to helping patients achieve optimum physical health. Physical therapy works across the spectrum of one’s life span, and runs the gamut from prevention to restoration of functioning and fitness levels,” Karsteter said. “We work primarily with the active duty Soldiers here, and physical therapy plays an important role in helping them achieve and maintain combat readiness.”

During the open house, guests were tested on agility, balance, functional fitness, core strength and endurance. Plus, they were treated to door prizes and learned fun facts about the staff and the history of physical therapy.

“The idea is to promote the importance of physical therapy. Physical therapists have been making a difference in Soldiers’ physical health and readiness since World War I,” said Capt. Chelsea Lorenson, CRDAMC physical therapist. “Soldiers should be aware that we have many techniques and treatments that can help them recover from injuries, and learn how to prevent any future injuries.”

The Physical Therapy Department is located on the first floor of the medical center. Patients who think they might benefit from physical therapy treatment should contact their Primary Care Manager for a referral.

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 2011 11 03 Physical Therapy V Balance exercise

Attendees at the CRDAMC Physical Therapy Open House Oct. 27 practice the bow pose (V-up) position to test their core strength. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)

 2011 11 03 Physical therapy gum drop exercise

Spc. Delila Jones tries her balance and position sense with the gum drop balance activity at the CRDAMC Physical Therapy Open House Oct. 27. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)

 2011 11 03 Physical therapy body blade exercise

Tami Roehr demonstrates maintaining balance on a dynadisk and aeromat, while further challenging her balance with the body blade at the CRDAMC Physical Therapy Open House Oct. 27. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)

 2011 11 03 Physical therapy Y balance exercise

Capt. Chelsea Lorenson (kneeling), CRDAMC physical therapist, measures Tami Roehr’s individual distance reach on the Y Balance Board at the CRDAMC Physical Therapy Open House Oct. 27. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)

 

Jeri Chappelle

Chief, Public Affairs

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center

36000 Darnall Loop

Fort Hood, Texas 76544

254-288-8005

 

For more information contact:
Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center
Public Affairs Office
(254) 286-7954
Brandy Gill
Fort Hood, TX 76544
[email protected]