Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot
Vol. 4, No. 1
Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Working the Range Volunteers man Joint Base Charleston’s Skeet and Trap Range See photos, Page 3
U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Dennis Sloan
Retired Navy Captain Jean Van Slate releases two spent shell casings from his shotgun during a round of skeet Dec. 15, 2012, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base. The range is open to military and civilians. Individuals without a military ID card are required to apply for a pass to get on base which requires a background check. See the story and photos on Page 3.
Gait Analysis Clinic helps improve running, prevent injuries
INSIDE
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Anthony Hyatt Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
AMC AWARDS 628th CPTS recognized
See page 4
FIREFIGHTERS
628th CES practices emergency response See page 7
E.R. OF THE SKY
315th Airmen train as medics of the sky See page 5
Weekend Weather Update JB CHS, SC
Friday, January 11
Mostly Cloudy
(20% precip)
High 75º Low 58º
Saturday, January 12 Mostly Sunny
(10% precip)
High 78º Low 58º
Sunday, January 13
Partly Cloudy
(10% precip)
High 77º Low 59º
Are you having trouble running? Do you often find yourself getting injured during a run? Do you want to improve your stride? Help is available for runners who are looking to have these questions answered. The 628th Medical Operations Squadron Physical Therapy section runs the Gait Analysis Clinic to help prevent injuries and improve performance. The clinic is held twice a month, the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, in Room 103 at the Health and Wellness Center at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C. “The clinic is designed to evaluate running patterns,” said Maj. Lee Warlick, 628th MDOS Physical Therapy flight commander. “Because we all have different foot types, it’s going to cause us to have certain biomechanics when we land.” To utilize this service, TRICARE Prime beneficiaries must set-up an appointment through the 628th Medical Group appointment line. “This appointment does not require a referral, so you don’t have to see your doctor or primary care manager,” Warlick added.
How it works A gait analysis session begins with an appropriately-dressed patient arriving at their appointment with their running shoes. The physical therapist will then interview the patient. “We will ask the individuals a series of questions such as ‘What is the reason for your visit today?’ ‘How often do you run?’ ‘How far do you run?” and ‘Do you have pain when you run?’” said Warlick. After the preliminary steps are taken, the patient will remove his shoes and socks. “This is my favorite part of the day – seeing feet,” Warlick said jokingly. The physical therapist then analyzes the patient’s foot arch. “There are basically three types of arches – normal, flat/low arch and rigid/high arch,” said Warlick. “Generally, a normal to low arch would require a stability shoe, a flat arch would need a motion-controlled shoe and a high arch would need a cushioned shoe.” The patients will then walk and run barefoot on a treadmill. After approximately 30 seconds,
Maj. Lee Warlick, 628th Medical Operations Squadron Physical Therapy flight commander, observes an Airman walking on a treadmill during a Gait Analysis Clinic appointment Jan. 8, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C. During a session with the Gait Analysis Clinic, a physical therapist will observe a patient walk on a treadmill with running shoes and barefoot.
the patient will repeat this process in their running shoes, explained Warlick. After observing the patient walk and run, the physical therapist will offer suggestions to improve the patient’s running or walking stride. “One of the more commons problems I come across from patients is shin splints,” said Warlick. A running shoe prescription will be discussed with the patients.
A physical therapist performs a gait analysis on a patient at the
Buying shoes Gait Analysis Clinic. The clinic is held twice a month, the second “It is recommended that run- and fourth Tuesday of the month, in Room 103 at the Health and ning shoes be replaced every 400 Wellness Center. to 600 miles or no later than six • Wear the socks you’ll wear when you run months of use,” said Warlick. “All running shoes • Check for adequate room in the toebox by are different and you need a shoe specifically pressing your thumb into the shoe just above made for your foot.” Here are some tips to finding the right run- your longest toe. Your thumb should fit between the end of your toe and the top of the shoe ning shoes: • The heel of your foot should fit snugly • Shop in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest (your feet will expand while running) against the back of the shoe without sliding up or down as you walk or run • Have your feet measured. Over the years, our feet tend to widen and lengthen. Currently, the Gait Analysis Clinic is accomplished through keen-eye observation and physical therapist expertise, but the Physical Therapy section will begin to track patient’s gait analysis through the Dartfish motion analyst system in the near future, according to Warlick. “We are in the process of being trained with the Dartfish program,” Warlick said. “It should be up and running in two to four weeks.” A row of different types of running shoes is displayed at the Gait Analysis Clinic at Joint Base For more information on the Gait Analysis Charleston – Air Base, S.C. The 628th Medical Operations Squadron Physical Therapy section runs the Clinic or to set up an appointment, call the Gait Analysis Clinic to help prevent injuries and improve performance. Medical Group Appointment Line at 963-6880.
See Joint Base Charleston on Facebook! - Follow Discussions, Connect With Your Base! CYAN-AOOO
MAGENTA-OAOO
YELLOW-OOAO
BLACK 01/29/08