Workers Compensation Rehabilitation

Physical therapy is a common form of treatment for workers' compensation patients, who may have sustained an injury or developed a condition related to their work. Physical therapy can be highly effective in helping workers' compensation patients recover from their injuries, regain their physical abilities, and return to work.  Working with a physical therapist during your recovery can be a significant help for so many patients who might be fearful of returning to work.  Your therapist can custom design activities and exercises to help simulate work activities and also perform specific testing to ensure you are ready to return to work and not at risk of reinjuring yourself.

Several studies have shown the effectiveness of physical therapy in workers' compensation patients. For example, a 2018 systematic review published in the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation found that physical therapy interventions were effective in reducing pain and improving function in workers' compensation patients with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including low back pain and shoulder injuries.

Another study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found that early physical therapy intervention for workers' compensation patients with low back pain led to better outcomes and a shorter duration of disability compared to those who received delayed physical therapy or no physical therapy at all.  This study was extremely powerful in that it revealed if patients were able to see a physical therapist within 10 days of their injury their overall missed time from work went down over 50% and the overall medical costs for the patient were reduced by over $4,000.

Physical therapy interventions for workers' compensation patients may include a variety of techniques, such as manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and pain control modalities. The specific treatment plan will depend on the patient's injury or condition, their overall health status, and their specific work activities.

Our goal when working with patients who have a work comp claim is to help them return to work safely and prevent reoccurrence of the injury.  We also work directly with the employer when it’s appropriate to help make recommendations for potential work place safety changes.  We will also coordinate with your work comp case manager to ensure proper communication and exchange of information so patients can feel confident in the team working around them.