Work Hardening

Return the injured to work…
Safer…Sooner

Finally…

An Effective Approach for Treating Work Injuries…

By definition, a Work Hardening Program provides the injured employee with a transition between the acute injury stage and a safe, productive return to work. Treatment is designed to maximize each individual's ability to return to work safely, with less likelihood of repeat injury or permanent harm. Our program is unique to the area in that it provides for evaluation, education, work conditioning, and actual job simulations.

We Stress Ability - Not Disability…

Our emphasis is positive - - based on what our patient's can do rather than what they cannot do. It is essential when treating injured workers not to "teach" them to be disabled. Once the acute phase of an injury has passed, a Work Hardening Program is appropriate.

Work Hardening is a Dynamic Rehabilitative Process…

The goal of our Work Hardening Program is to return the employee to work as quickly and safely as possible. The treatment program utilizes a multi-faceted approach.

• Evaluation - By utilizing the Key Functional Assessment, an objective measure of ability is determined. Periodic re-evaluations provide objective data to justify on-going treatment and/or a return-to-work capability.
• Education - Participants are instructed in proper body mechanics as it relates to their specific job in an effort to prevent re-injury. On-going re-enforcement of correct postures enhances their education, assuring compliance when they return to work.
• Job Conditioning - An injury accompanied by inactivity can promote physiologic weakness. Cardiovascular capabilities can also be reduced by long periods of inactivity. General muscle strengthening, conditioning, and flexibility exercises are an integral part of the program.
• Job Simulations - One of the key components of our program that sets it apart from all others is our emphasis on actual job simulations. Obviously, we cannot duplicate the vast myriad of jobs in the workplace; however, we can duplicate many of the key component actions that a job may require. Our patients will actually be using hammers, saws, screwdrivers, drills, etc. They will be able to use a shovel, load a wheelbarrow, electrically wire a room, or hang wallboard. They can utilize our truck cab to simulate delivery occupations or perform various material handling jobs. Janitorial services and stocking operations can also be easily duplicated. This type of approach is truly functional and will facilitate the injured workers return to productivity.