Industrial rehabilitation is a type of rehabilitation program aimed at helping an injured workers return to work safely and effectively and to help with prevention and reduction of work-related injuries. We must remember that industrial does not automatically mean that it is labor intensive. It includes jobs that are repetitive or that may involve awkward positions or motions. This type of program may include some if not all of the following types of programs/tests: physical and/or occupation therapy (worker compensation focused), Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE), Work Conditioning, Work Hardening, Ergonomics, Job-Site Analysis, or Post-Offer Employment Test (POET).
Worker Compensation physical/occupation therapy is different than other physical therapy because the treatment and therapy goals should include returning the patient back to their job or type of job. The therapy will still include manual interventions (active/passive range of motion, manual stretching, and soft tissue/joint mobilizations), stretching, and injury specific strengthening and stabilization, but should also include job specific strengthening and training.
A FCE an objective, functional evaluation of a series of tests administered to help determine current functional and physical status, and then using that information to see if the patient is ready to return to their own or any type of work and if they require any type of limitations.
Work Hardening is a highly structured, goal-oriented, individualized intervention program designed to return the patient/client to work; it is multidisciplinary in nature (physical therapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, and vocational specialist).
Work Conditioning is an intensive, work-related, goal oriented conditioning program designed to specifically restore neuromuscular and musculoskeletal function including strength, power, endurance, joint mobility, ROM (range of motion), motor control, cardiovascular endurance and functional abilities; alternative to work hardening for those who do not need behavioral/pain management or vocational interventions.
Ergonomics (per OSHA) is the study of work and is based on the principle that the job should be adapted to fit the person, rather than forcing the person to fit the job. Ergonomics includes restructuring or changing workplace conditions to make the job easier and reducing/stressors that cause cumulative trauma disorders and repetitive motion injuries.
A job site analysis is an on-site evaluation that analyzes the employee’s job demands and identifies the physical activities factors required to perform each job task.
A POET is a test given to evaluate the overall ability of a person to perform a specific job and job duties; a potential employee is offered a job, but then they have to go and complete certain tests outlined by their employer.
In the blogs to follow, we will be going more in depth into each of the aspects of Industrial Rehabilitation.