Physical Therapist looking for achy Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  If you had a chance to become five times stronger in just 15 minutes, would you take it?

If so, Maj. Charles Houlding, 354th Medical Group physical therapist, is looking for you. He needs 60 active duty Airmen to volunteer to become a part of a research project. The research will require only 40 minutes from each volunteer.

The 20-minute procedure consists of measuring a participant's weight, measuring the strength of their leg, doing a short stretch, and re-measuring the strength in their leg.

"This is a chance for the Airmen of Eielson AFB to help all who serve our country tap into their own strength, strength they already have but don't know about, and theoretically reduce injuries and increase fitness test scores by improving leg performance," said Major Houlding.

After attending a physical therapy course on shoulder rehabilitation, he wondered if some of the same techniques that strengthened a patient's shoulder could be applied to the pelvic region.

"I've treated many patients whose pelvis was out of alignment, but I never thought to test their muscle strength before and after the procedure. To my surprise, not only were the muscles on the affected side of the pelvis stronger, but the opposite leg muscles were stronger as well," said Major Houlding.

After talking with his supervisor at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, he was told that in order to implement the new technique throughout the Air Force, he would have to prove his theory through research.

"This is ground breaking research," said Major Houlding, "for the first time we would be looking at the proper alignment of the leg and then work to strengthen the muscles."

As Eielson's clinic had never been a site for clinical testing, Major Houlding adapted Wilford Hall's Operational Instructions for conducting research, paving the way for other medical professionals to do research at the Eielson clinic.

Some of the results of using the new technique could be increased stability throughout the leg to help runners and other athletes when playing sports like basketball by stabilizing the leg when landing. Major Houlding aims to reduce injuries in basic military training, reduce sports injuries, and improve fitness scores - especially for those on the border.

In order for Major Houldings' theory to be implemented throughout the Air Force and medical world, he must ensure that it works by testing it.

Those who would like to volunteer must be an active duty member, aged 18 to 50, and must be unfamiliar with Major Houlding's hip strengthening technique to keep this an unbiased study. Volunteers will be asked to visit the physical therapy clinic once a week for two weeks during the month of March.