Dr.Ryan Decarreau, a local physical therapist, is making a difference in the lives of those who serve us. Dr. Deccarreau, through a program called THOR3, is managing and training a new type of athlete: the United States Special Operations Soldier. THOR3 applies Sports Medicine treatment and techniques, usually reserved for collegiate and professional athletes, to our soldiers in the Special Forces. This specific model is aimed at improving both mental and physical capabilities of our soldiers to better prepare them for the physical demands linked with combat training and deployment.
THOR3 (the Tactical Human Optimization Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning program) is an initiative sanctioned by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) to provide optimal healthcare and training for our servicemen and women.
“This program has offered me a good opportunity to give back to our military as well as challenged me professionally,” says Dr. Decarreau. “I work with a group of soldiers who appreciate the day-to-day help in keeping them healthy. It has been very rewarding to see our soldiers train like tactical athletes and see the benefits of our program.”
Dr. Decarreau’s physical therapy, sports medicine, and athlete management experience made him the perfect candidate for (THOR3). Over the course of three years at Hunter Army Airfield (Savannah, GA), Dr. Decarreau has been able to expand his skillset beyond the typical requisites associated with civilian sports therapy, while adapting to a multitude of obstacles and challenges that are inherent to his patients’ military duties and deadlines.
Dr. Decarreau notes that while his patients often have to travel – making treatment difficult to regiment– our soldiers have a great deal of discipline, which yields great participation in office visits and even home exercise routines. According to Decarreau, “It has a lot to do with the culture and it is pretty impressive to witness.”
“Through programs like THOR3 and the dedication of physical therapists like Dr. Decarreau, our military personnel will continue to have access to cutting edge healthcare and treatment,” says Barney Poole, PT, DPT President of the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia (PTAG). “We thank him for his dedication to serving those that serve and defend our country. Dr. Decarreau is a worthy representative of our physical therapy community.”
“Overall, it is an honor to work with our soldiers! The group I work with is truly the best at what they do. I am excited to go to work each day to serve those who serve us,” says Decarreau.
PTAG Blog 