Summary
The most common reason for medical visits for Active Duty Service Members and Veterans is musculoskeletal pain. The field of pain management recognizes the importance of lifestyle choices and skills that include exercise and movement activities, mindfulness, anti-inflammatory eating, postural awareness and healthy behaviors. Living with chronic pain requires lifestyle choices that are supported within the individual’s community. Creating a community of wellbeing and collaboration has been the purpose of the Medical Fitness Association for many years.
This webinar will explore the existing sources of comprehensive wellbeing sponsored by Department of Defense and the Veteran Health Administration to promote strong collaborations with Medical Fitness facilities and professionals.
Learning Objectives
1. Explore the Total Force Fitness HPRC (hprc-online.org) resources
2. Identify existing virtual resources developed specifically for active duty servicemembers(ADSM) and veterans
3. Create veteran centric programming to build and sustain membership
Presenter
Ruth Meyer, Kinesiotherapist at the Dayton VAMC
Ruth Meyer has been a Kinesiotherapist since 1980 when she graduated from the Univ of Toledo Master of Education program in Kinesiotherapy. Her specialization has been aquatic therapy and pain management working with persons with accident and work-related injuries. Her career started in New England where she was a member of and presenter for the New England Pain society and the American Back Society. Working in community YMCA and fitness facilities providing aquatic and exercise therapy with a focus on returning to work and function. She taught at various universities in NH, MI and VA. She has been in Virginia for the past 21 years. Her pain management training includes myofascial release, craniosacral, guided imagery, Watsu, Bad Ragaz, Halliwick, Burdenko, Aquastretch and various aquatic methods of therapy. She has presented Aquatic Therapy internationally and remains active developing new training for instructors of Adapted Swimming and Aquatics (Starfish Aquatics International), on the Educational Standards Accreditation committee ESAC for Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association. She is a member of Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute and a fellow of the Medical Fitness Association (MFA).
She has continued her professional education with graduate courses in gerontology, posture, guided imagery and Whole Health as a facilitator and train the trainer for Taking Charge of my Life and Health facilitators. She was employed at the Richmond VAMC (Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System) CVVHCS from 2007-2022 in various roles: Employee Wellness Coordinator, MOVE! Weight Management Coordinator, staff Kinesiotherapist (back rehab and aquatic therapy) and Clinical education for PM&R.
Ruth is passionate about health and wellbeing and the impact of lifestyle choices and opportunities. She works as the Health Coach Coordinator for the ADVet HoMME project at the Dayton VAMC (DVA).
