Overview
Philiatros Healthcare has cared for the Scott Air Force Base community for years. Dr. Charles Portwood served as a contracted chiropractor at Scott AFB from 2006 to 2026, treating active duty Airmen, dependents, retirees, and DoD civilians inside the base clinic. Our Belleville office is the natural off-base continuation of that work — same provider, same standards, no waiting list, and a short drive from the West Gate.
Whether you are dealing with a deployment-related back injury, the wear and tear of flight line work, a desk-bound neck, or a PCS-induced flare-up, we understand the specific demands of military and DoD life. Care plans are designed to keep you mission-ready, not to keep you on a treatment package.
Conditions treated
- Low back pain from lifting, gear, or vehicle ops
- Neck and upper back pain from desk and console work
- Headaches and tension from long shifts or flight ops
- Shoulder pain from rucks, vests, and protective gear
- Disc herniation and sciatica
- Knee, hip, and ankle pain from PT and running
- Post-deployment musculoskeletal complaints
- Whiplash and motor vehicle injury recovery
- Chronic pain unresponsive to base clinic care
- Pre-PT-test conditioning and injury prevention
What to expect
Quick scheduling
Same-week appointments are the norm. Call (730) 263-3540 or use the online request form. Tell us your status (active duty, dependent, retiree, civilian) so we can verify benefits before you arrive.
Insurance & Tricare
We are familiar with Tricare Prime, Tricare Select, and Tricare for Life referral and authorization workflows. Bring your Tricare card and any referral from your PCM if one was issued.
Examination & diagnosis
A focused exam identifies the actual source of your pain. When indicated, in-office musculoskeletal ultrasound (RMSK) confirms soft-tissue findings without sending you out for additional imaging.
Mission-aware treatment plan
We build the plan around your operational tempo. If you are deploying in three weeks, we move fast. If you are in a steady-state job, we structure care around your duty schedule and PT requirements.
Coordination with your PCM
On request, we send progress notes to your primary care manager so your medical record stays current and any return-to-duty documentation is straightforward.
Why the Scott AFB community comes to us
On-base chiropractic care is excellent but limited in capacity, and not every dependent or retiree has direct access. Off-base care fills that gap — and the right off-base provider knows how to work inside the military system without forcing patients to navigate it alone.
- 20 years of base experience — Dr. Portwood served as the contracted chiropractor at Scott AFB from 2006 to 2026
- Tricare familiar — we understand Prime, Select, and TFL workflows and can help with referrals
- Same-week appointments — no multi-week waits when you need to be back at work
- Full scope under one roof — chiropractic adjustments, Cox spinal decompression, acupuncture and dry needling, and RMSK-board certified diagnostic ultrasound
- Easy from the West Gate — about 10 minutes by car, free on-site parking in downtown Belleville
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept Tricare?
Yes. We work with Tricare Prime, Tricare Select, and Tricare for Life. Specific authorization or referral requirements depend on your plan and status — call our office and we will help verify your benefits before your first visit.
Do I need a referral from my PCM?
It depends on your Tricare plan. Tricare Select and TFL beneficiaries can usually self-refer to network providers. Tricare Prime active duty typically need a referral from their primary care manager. If you are not sure, call us — we can check before you book.
Can active duty Airmen be seen at your office?
Yes, with the appropriate Tricare authorization. We treat active duty members regularly and can coordinate documentation back to your unit medical home or PCM as needed.
How far is your office from the Scott AFB West Gate?
About 10 minutes by car. We are located at 201 S. Illinois Street in downtown Belleville, with free on-site parking. Many patients stop in before or after their duty day.
I had treatment with Dr. Portwood on base. Can I continue care here?
Yes. Many patients who saw Dr. Portwood at the Scott AFB clinic now continue their care at our Belleville office. Bring any prior records or imaging you have access to and we will pick up where the on-base care left off.
Do you treat dependents and retirees, not just active duty?
Yes. We see active duty, dependents, retirees, and DoD civilians. Anyone with Tricare or other major medical insurance can be evaluated at our office.