Dr. Daphne Ryan is a physical therapist who works with Navy and Marine Corps aviators as a contractor. Mark “Moose” McGrath and I asked her what high-G flight does to the human spine.
G-forces and the spine
Extreme maneuvers compress the neck and lower back. Daphne compares older and newer aircraft designs and makes the case for seats built around the human body. She wants engineering and medicine working together.
Pain and the brain
Daphne questions old beliefs about stretching and puts stability and strength first. She explains how the brain processes pain, especially for people living with PTSD or chronic stress. Ground troops carry heavy loads too, and she wants a whole view of human performance.
Asking for help
Many aviators push through pain for years. Daphne argues for proper diagnosis and care for service-related injuries, and for taking neck and back pain seriously after service.
For me, the message is that it’s all right to reach out for help. A pilot’s orientation includes the body that carries it.
This episode is not medical advice.
What pain have you been flying through that deserves a proper look?
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