Fighting fire with physical therapy
Posted: November 21, 2014
In an effort to prevent musculoskeletal injuries among Mesa firefighters, ATSU’s Physical Therapy program is uniquely collaborating with the Mesa Fire and Medical Department. Doctor of physical therapy students (with PT faculty) monitor, assess, and correct movement patterns of various fire ground activities during the spring and fall fire academies. Students, working directly with firefighter recruits, provide functional movement screenings, joint mobility measurements, and strength tests. Recruits also receive consultations regarding aches, pains, and activity limitations that occur with physical training from PT faculty with student assistance.
“Students have the opportunity to develop a better understanding of working with the industrial athlete,” says Cory Manton, PT, DPT, assistant professor, ASHS. “They are learning first-hand about the physical demands of being a firefighter and how those demands impact the musculoskeletal system.”
The Department of Physical Therapy received the Chief’s Community Partnership Award on Oct. 16 for its interaction with Mesa Fire.