According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with 2.8 million nonfatal workplace accidents and injuries occurring yearly across the nation's private employment industry, about 2.8 people out of 100 find themselves injured at work. 1 Depending upon the severity of the injury, a person may need an individualized, goal-oriented, structured treatment program to help them have a successful return back to their place of employment. A work hardening program will offer a personalized program designed to restore physical, behavioral, and vocational work functions based upon individual job requirements.
The purpose of a work hardening program:
- A work hardening program utilizes a multidisciplinary approach incorporating a case manager with different therapeutic modalities, assisting the employee in learning what activities can be accomplished safely with the practice of using proper body mechanics.
- A work hardening program will increase the body's tolerance for functional activities and decrease stiffness and pain while increasing muscle strength and endurance.
- The program will include working with the patient to perform job-simulation tasks and use specialized equipment for a return to work with minimal or no restrictions.
A work hardening program provides patients with physically demanding jobs, significant deconditioning, complex injuries, or other return to work barriers a more intensive intervention for a successful and safe return to work. If you are in a labor-intensive career and were injured on the job, a work hardening program may be right for you.
To find out if you might benefit from the Work Hardening Program offered by ACE Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists, please call (703) 204-0533.