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How Work Conditioning Can Work for You

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Have you experienced an injury at work that resulted in the loss of function and strength needed to perform your job duties? A work conditioning program focuses on preparing the body to be able to physically complete work-related tasks. Administered by a physical therapist, work injury rehabilitation focuses on improving patient strength, flexibility and endurance for a safe return to the job.

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What is work conditioning?

Work conditioning is a rigorous conditioning program designed to help patients regain their systemic, neurological, cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal functions. This includes strength, mobility, power, endurance, motor control and functional abilities. Work conditioning provides an interim step in the return-to-work process. The goals of a work conditioning program are to restore the patient’s physical capacity and functional abilities, to prevent the recurrence of the same injury, and to decrease their fear of returning to work.

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Shovel Station
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Lift and Place Rack Station
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Lift Box

 

What is work hardening?

Work hardening is an individualized, highly structured program designed to help patients return to their pre-injury work level in a safe and timely manner. It aims to help patients regain their biomechanical, cardiovascular, metabolic, neuromuscular and psychosocial functions in conjunction with their work tasks. Work hardening uses a multidisciplinary approach, including a physical therapist, occupational therapist, psychologist and vocational specialist. The focus is on strengthening and flexibility exercises, cardiovascular conditioning, spine and joint stabilization exercises and job task training such as pushing, pulling, crouching, lifting, bending, sitting, or twisting.

These therapies are ideal for patients who have already progressed through traditional physical therapy but still lack full function in relation to specific duties required on the job. Work conditioning and work hardening utilize real or simulated work tasks to help prepare patients for a safe transition back into the work force with a reduced risk of re-injury.

Who benefits?

  • Police Officers
  • Firefighters
  • Plumbers
  • FBI Agents
  • Correction Officers
  • Mechanics
  • Construction Workers
  • Health Care Providers
  • Painters
  • Delivery Drivers
  • Post Office Employees
  • Chefs
  • Any Other Labor-Intensive Professionals

What to Expect

Work conditioning and work hardening programs last 4-8 weeks and are designed to meet the specific job needs of the patient. Working conditioning sessions last 1-3 hours for 2-3 days per week. Work hardening sessions generally last 2-4 hours each for 3-5 days per week. Each functional program is customized to treat the patient’s specific injury and is dependent on what the treating physician prescribes.

Establish a Functional Baseline

At the first session, the physical therapist will evaluate the injury and review the patient’s work-related needs. In order to establish a baseline, the therapist will need to determine:

  • The patient’s current physical activity level (sedentary, light, medium, or heavy)
  • The patient’s aerobic capacity (poor, fair, average, good, or excellent)
  • The patient’s grip strength
  • The patient’s mobility, core and joint specific strengths in relation to their injury

After the functional baseline has been established, the therapist will set up an individualized program designed to increase the patient’s current abilities.

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This information was adapted from the Oak Bend Medical Center website. The entire article can be read here.

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