Physical Therapy Can Help You Recover From Work-Related Injuries
Accidents and injuries at work are not just unfortunate incidents but serious disruptions to your life. Such incidents can restrict your mobility, create chronic discomfort, and impede your ability to perform everyday tasks. The good news? Physical therapy at Physical Therapy Plus can offer real solutions in alleviating pain, restoring function, and facilitating a swift return to work.
Work-related accidents in the areas of Canastota, Syracuse and Baldwinsville, NY can result in a variety of injuries, with some of the most common being back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder injuries, knee injuries, and sprains or strains. These injuries often lead to functional challenges such as limited range of motion, persistent pain, decreased strength, and compromised balance or coordination.
Lower back injuries are the leading cause of work-related disability worldwide. The severity varies from acute, short-term discomfort to chronic, persistent pain that can significantly impact one’s quality of life.
Similarly, carpal tunnel syndrome, common among office workers, affects approximately 5% of adults in the United States. This repetitive strain injury can lead to diminished grip strength, numbness in the fingers, and severe pain that can inhibit productivity.
Physical therapy offers a comprehensive and individualized approach to address these and other work-related injuries. Our physical therapists at Physical Therapy Plus employ therapeutic exercises, manual techniques, and education to restore function, enhance mobility, and mitigate pain. To help get you back to work, life, and the things you love.
Common Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries can strike when we least expect them, regardless of the nature of our jobs. The impact on our daily lives can be significant, from simple repetitive strain injuries to more serious trauma. Fortunately, physical therapy offers effective solutions to heal, recover, and prevent common work-related accidents and injuries.
Our physical therapists play an essential role in treating these common workplace injuries and providing preventative strategies to keep them from happening in the first place.
Let us guide you back to pain-free workdays and improve your overall well-being.
Call today to book your first appointment with us in Canastota, Syracuse or Baldwinsville, NY now! Let us help you get well!
The most common work-related injuries treated by our physical therapists at Physical Therapy Plus:
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs)
These are injuries caused by repeated movements, like typing or lifting heavy objects. They often result in conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis. Physical therapy uses targeted exercises to strengthen the affected areas and prevent further injury.
Back Injuries
Heavy lifting, poor posture, or sitting for long periods can lead to severe back pain. Physical therapists create individualized treatment plans, including stretching, strengthening exercises, and posture correction to alleviate pain and prevent re-injury.
Falls and Slips
Such incidents often result in sprains, fractures, or traumatic brain injuries. Physical therapy aids in restoring balance, mobility, and strength through carefully curated therapeutic exercises and manual therapy techniques.
Overexertion
Overworking the body can lead to muscle strains and pulls. Physical therapists can guide workers in proper techniques to prevent overexertion and offer treatments to help speed up recovery if an injury does occur.
Work-Related Stress Injuries
These are often overlooked but can significantly impact physical well-being. Stress can cause headaches, muscle tension, and other physical symptoms. Physical therapy can provide strategies to manage these symptoms, including exercises and relaxation techniques.
What to Expect at Your Physical Therapy Sessions
At Physical Therapy Plus, your path to healing and regained mobility starts with a deep understanding of your unique circumstances. Right from the get-go, our physical therapists take the time to comprehensively evaluate each client, fostering a therapeutic environment built on personalized care and effective recovery strategies.
Your journey commences with a detailed review of your medical history. This includes an extensive conversation about your previous and current medical conditions, past treatments, and the impact of your symptoms on your day-to-day life. Remember, the more we know about your health history, the better equipped we are to facilitate your recovery.
Next, we conduct a thorough physical examination, checking your strength, range of motion, balance, and coordination. We may also perform specific functional tests that mimic your work or daily activities.
Our physical therapists stay updated with the latest research and specialize in treating various work-related injuries and accidents. We’ve witnessed countless individuals regain their strength, overcome their limitations, and return to a lifestyle unhindered by discomfort.
Some of the most common strategies our team in any of our Physical Therapy Plus locations uses include:
- Manual Therapy: Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques to improve mobility and reduce pain. This can include manipulating muscles, joints, and soft tissues to restore optimal movement and function.
- Therapeutic Exercise: We curate a set of exercises tailored to your needs. These exercises strengthen your body, enhance your endurance, and improve your flexibility and balance. Each exercise plan is designed to speed your recovery and prevent further injury.
- Education: We believe in empowering our patients. We take the time to explain your condition and each treatment’s purpose and provide guidance on injury prevention. Understanding the why and how of your recovery process is a powerful tool in your healing journey.
Get in touch with us today at (315) 476-3176 to schedule your initial consultation!
Workplace Services
Pre-employment Examination/Physical Ability Testing
First, a therapist at Physical Therapy Plus will determine if strength and flexibility are adequate to perform job tasks without undue risk of injury. The next step is general education to increase the candidate employee’s awareness of his/her responsibility to maintain a healthy back and motivate each candidate to actively participate in back care and prevention of disorders. We determine a risk level specific to the candidate, then educate and instruct the client in appropriate exercises to address any problem found. Testing includes assessment of an individual’s injury history and physical rehabilitation outcome and their current level of function including: range of motion of all joints, strength assessment, hand function, manual materials handling capability, and percentile ranking of hand function and static strength.
Ergonomic Evaluation/Work Site Analysis
This is a process where a worker is observed performing his/her job tasks. The goal is to determine if either the work site design, or the tools, machines, equipment, materials, or techniques used by the worker impose a risk factor for injury. If a risk factor is found, then the objective is to offer suggestions to reduce it by either altering the worker’s technique, educating the worker about risk factors or imposing engineering controls.
Functional Capacity Evaluations
This is a process where a worker is observed performing his/her job tasks. The goal is to determine if either the work site design, or the tools, machines, equipment, materials or techniques used by the worker impose a risk factor for injury. If a risk factor is found, then the objective is to offer suggestions to reduce it by either altering the worker’s technique, educating the worker about risk factors or imposing engineering controls.
Injury Prevention Seminars
Physical Therapy Plus offers employee education seminars which may include a Powerpoint presentation with narration, written materials, demonstrations and a question- answer period. Each seminar is designed to address the issues that are specific to the individual workplace.
The “office ergonomic program” highlights the unique requirements of the seated workplace. Discussion includes proper chair height, work surface layout, positioning of the VDT, and lighting issues. Recommendations are provided on the proper use of “ergonomic equipment”, correct posture, and review of any appropriate stretching exercises.
Work Conditioning
Exercise programs can be implemented for on-site use for a particular department to promote conditioning and reduce the risk of injury. These programs include individual instruction and follow-up as needed.