Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Shawn Scott (foreground), a theater consultant with the 86th Combat Support...... read more read more
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By Capt. Sarah Baker
2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C
BAGHDAD — Physical therapists and physical therapy technicians from across United States Forces – Iraq attended the Operation New Dawn physical therapy conference held Aug. 5-7 at Victory Base Complex, Iraq.
The conference was hosted by the 2nd “Dagger” Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, with the support of Col. Thomas Eccles, division surgeon with the 25th Infantry Division and USD-C. Similar conferences have been hosted previously in Iraq and recently in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
“The conference was a great and rare opportunity for technicians,” said Staff Sgt. Jamie Christensen, physical therapy technician with 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, United States Division – South, and a Port Orchard, Wash., native. “We felt like we really learned a lot and can take what we learned to better treat and explain prescribed treatments to patients.”
The training was a combination of lecture and practical, hands-on application and covered a variety of deployment-relevant topics. Each morning began with a two-hour block of physical training instruction on the Army’s new Physical Readiness Training Manual, released in August 2010. With their in-depth knowledge of physical training principles, PTs are in a unique position to bridge that educational gap and help implement the new physical training standard.
“We were extremely fortunate to have Lt. Col. Shawn Scott as our instructor, since he helped develop the manual,” said Staff Sgt. Henry Wilson, physical therapy technician with the 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C, and a Palos Verdes, Calif., native. “Having him explain the reasons behind the manual’s exercises will enable us to better train our units.”
The first day of training included instruction on a PTs role during a mass casualty, or MASCAL incident, and a three-hour block of instruction on back manipulations.
The second day included an introduction to dry needling, explaining the theory and practical application. This technique involves using an acupuncture-type needle inserted into a muscle to restore normal muscle function. An advanced skill, several post-graduate hours of training are required to become certified. That day’s training concluded with a course on custom orthotics, commercial workouts and common hand injuries.
The final day of training began with an introduction to functional movement screening and selective functional movement assessment. Both are tools used to identify people at risk for injury. The final day also included a tour of the Al Faw Palace, panel discussions on the PT drawdown plans and a conference call with Col. John Stang, the Army’s senior physical therapist. Stang addressed questions about the upcoming military occupational specialty change for the PT technicians, assignment changes with the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center and career management.
"The conference was wonderful,” said Capt. Nicole Hall, physical therapist with 3rd ACR, United States Division – South, and a Houston native. “Being in Iraq for a year, it's hard to keep up with continuing education credits, and it was great to meet with fellow military therapists and get a chance to learn together [and] trade ideas.”
Wilson was awarded a coin of excellence by Lt. Col. William Brown, deputy commander of 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C, and a New Jersey native, and Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney R. Lewis, command sergeant major of 2nd AAB and a Lynchburg, Ohio, native, during a concluding ceremony on the final day of the event. Additionally, Lt. Col. Dale Farrand, commander of 299th BSB and a Billings, Mont., native, presented the certificates of achievement to course instructors.
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2011 01:45 |
| Story ID: | 75287 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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