Service members with acute injuries can seek the help of physical therapists directly at Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC), speeding up their road to recovery.

According to Dr. Andrew Stapleton, physical therapist at WAMC, service members can seek direct assistance from physical therapy sick call instead of scheduling an appointment with their primary care manager (PCM) if their injuries occurred within the past two weeks.

Going directly to physical therapy (PT) with non-life-threatening injuries such as muscle or joint pain, rolled ankle, low back strains (with lifting) and new foot pain (after running or rucking) will provide faster treatment and a much swifter return to duty.

“It’s really about the patient’s hastened recovery,” said Stapleton. “Service members typically would schedule an appointment with their PCM for acute injuries, which may take up to 28 days to be seen and receive a referral for a physical therapy assessment which may take another three to four weeks to be seen.”

Service members can skip the referral process and go directly to physical therapy within 14 days of an injury.

“Getting service members care early on before it becomes chronic, long-term pain can have less effects down the road,” said Stapleton. “Continuing with normal daily activities, and not giving an injury time to heal, can cause the injury to progress into chronic pain.”

According to Dr. Stapleton, avoiding seeking treatment for a muscle or joint issue could prolong symptoms and lead to a less medically ready fighting force. However, with direct access to physical therapy, Soldiers can seek help earlier rather than later to ensure that they are in a state of readiness.

Physical therapy sick call is available to service members at Womack PT clinic 6:15 a.m. to 7:15 a.m.; Robinson PT clinic 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.; and Byars and Clark PT clinic from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Service members unable to make sick call can dial (910) 907-2778 for appointments.