U.S. Marines at the service's base in Quantico, Virginia, partake in an extensive regimen of physical therapy exercises as part of the effort to preserve their health and fitness, a physical therapist told American Forces Press Service.
Angelique Ruiz, a civilian employee at the base, said the most intriguing part of the physical therapy job she holds is the valuable opportunity to converse with the troops. Those who cross her path run the gamut from candidates of the officer candidates school, active duty enlisted and additional medical staff.
"Good communication is how people get taken care of the best. Not only with the patient, but also with the patients of other providers, so they are getting the care they need," she told the news source. "The types of injuries we see are normal because of what it takes to be a Marine. Marines have a number of physically demanding and physically taxing exercises such as the physical fitness test, combat fitness test and carrying heavy packs."
She said she sees many patients working on recovering from ankle injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, and shoulder and lower-back injuries, which the staff treats with efforts to stabilize and strengthen.
Physical therapists fill a vital role in the rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.