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Blanchfield Army Community Hospital dietician and local massage students encourage activity, nutrition, sleep and relaxation

Patient Recognition Month

Blanchfield Army Hospital - Fort Campbell KYFort Campbell, KY – Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH) dietician and local massage school students offered 54 patients and staff an opportunity to learn more about the valuable health benefits of activity, nutrition, sleep and relaxation February 8th during Patient Recognition Month as they participated in a Wellness class and received free 10-minute massages.

BACH Dietician Capt. Christina Deehl told patients to avoid “fad” diets and to be careful about taking supplements.

Massage therapy student Casey Rockwell performed "Wellness Massages" to BACH patients Friday, Feb. 8th in honor of Patient Recognition Month. James Watkins was appreciative of her volunteering her time to help patients relieve tension. (Courtesy photo from BACH staff member Teresa Ratliff)
Massage therapy student Casey Rockwell performed “Wellness Massages” to BACH patients Friday, Feb. 8th in honor of Patient Recognition Month. James Watkins was appreciative of her volunteering her time to help patients relieve tension. (Courtesy photo from BACH staff member Teresa Ratliff)

“It’s important for doctors to know about any supplements taken to ensure they do not negatively interact with medications,” said Deehl.

Deehl encouraged exercise and lifestyle changes when relating to overall wellness and weight management. She told patients to eat a variety of the different food groups.

“You want to make sure you are getting enough fruits and vegetables every day. Try to stay away from the processed foods and lighten up on fat and sugar products and really eat the fresh foods as much as possible,” she said.

Deborah Roget attended the Wellness Class and learned that a lot of supplements on the market are not actually good for you.

“You really need to look at the labels,” Roget said. She also is taking some valuable advice home. “Make sure you have a balanced diet and look at portion sizes and you have to have some type of exercise. A little exercise is better than none at all.”

Roget believes that much of the American population is unhealthy and was glad that the Wellness Class was offered to patients in honor of Patient Recognition Month.

“A lot of people do things because they don’t have the knowledge and knowledge is power. So if you give them the knowledge, you will be able to use it to get healthy,” said Roget.

Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Dietician Capt. Christine Deehl assists Lynn Claywell with reading the bioelectrical impedance machine which measures patients body mass index Feb. 8th during a Wellness Class offered honoring patients during Patient Recognition Month. (Courtesy photo from BACH staff member Teresa Ratliff)
Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Dietician Capt. Christine Deehl assists Lynn Claywell with reading the bioelectrical impedance machine which measures patients body mass index Feb. 8th during a Wellness Class offered honoring patients during Patient Recognition Month. (Courtesy photo from BACH staff member Teresa Ratliff)

Later that afternoon, 40 patients and staff were treated to a 10-minute “Wellness Massage” in honor of Patient Recognition Month.

James Watkins said, “It made me feel great and it helped take away tension in my lower back.”

Casey Rockwell performed the massage on Watkins and many others for nearly two hours. She graduates April 4th, 2013, and obviously loves her new career path.

Rockwell said that the benefit from massages ranges from general relaxation to lowering blood pressure to realigning the way the muscle fibers lie.

“People in general need to be touched. It’s a proven fact that they heal better, they work harder and have a better quality of life with a therapeutic touch in their life,” said Rockwell.

Rockwell donated her time because the military is special to her.

“I’ve got military friends, and everybody from the spouses to the civilians supports our troops by working at the hospital,” she said.

Patient Recognition Month’s theme this year, “Patients – The Heart of Army Medicine,” continues to be celebrated during the month of February.

Soldiers, retirees and families are encouraged to attend the next event, a Love Your Heart Health Fair February 22nd from 11:00am to 7:00pm at Fort Campbell Sportsman’s Lodge.

The following day, Saturday, February 23rd, everyone is encouraged to participate in the first Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour with the “Love Your Heart Run” organized by BACH, the 86th Combat Support Hospital and Morale Welfare and Recreation.

The 1-Mile walk/fun run, and a 5K and 10 mile competitive runs will begin at Fort Campbell’s Camp Hinch. Interested participants can find out more information about the “Love Your Heart Run” and other events as well as sign up to participate by visiting the following website: http://fortcampbellmwr.com/ECFT/.

This month’s activities support the Army surgeon general’s Performance Triad initiative that focuses on enhancing the lifespace of our patients by educating patients on improving their health through activity, nutrition and sleep. What is lifespace?

Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho describes lifespace as, “Lifespace is when we make decisions on activity, nutrition and sleep (ANS). The surgeon general explains, “We estimate that most patients visit a doctor one to five times a year, and each visit is about 20 minutes in length. Those 100 minutes are the most we can impact patient health. The other 525,500 minutes in our lives are when we’re at work, or at home with our families. It’s in this lifespace where the choices we make impact our lives and our health.”

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