Why it matters:
Combat soldiers often encounter back pain and muscle strains due to the heavy equipment they carry. The provision of onsite physiotherapy services by Meuhedet Healthcare Services is essential to ensure the wellbeing of Israeli soldiers serving in and around Gaza, particularly during operations that demand increased physical effort.
What’s happening:
Meuhedet’s physiotherapists are addressing the issue of back pain among IDF soldiers at the Gilat Junction just outside Gaza, and even inside the territory. Carrying equipment between 45 to 55 kilos has led to an increased need for such interventions.
The backdrop:
During Operation Swords of Iron, Prof. Leonid Kalichman from Meuhedet and colleagues from Ben-Gurion University identified the necessity to relieve the physical strains combat soldiers face. Their response involved providing immediate physiotherapy, directly in the field where the soldiers are stationed.
By the numbers:
Thousands of soldiers from infantry and special units have received care. Prof. Kalichman and his team have encountered a range of injuries and muscular issues resulting from the rapid transition from routine life to intense combat operations.
Personal accounts:
Kalichman recalls the impactful experience of treating artillery soldiers lifting heavy shells and the positive reactions from the soldiers and their commanders to the physiotherapy services provided.
The response:
Kobi Ben-Shimon, director of Meuhedet’s physiotherapy institute in Ashdod, emphasizes the difference they make for soldiers experiencing injuries or wearing heavy gear for extended durations. The goal is to alleviate physical distress and enable soldiers to continue their duties effectively.
The big picture:
This initiative showcases how healthcare services can extend beyond civilian life into the battlefield, providing critical support to those defending the nation. It highlights the importance of addressing the physical toll on soldiers and the beneficial impact of such support on military readiness and capability.
This story was first published on jpost.com.