PARK PHYSICAL THERAPY INDUSTRIAL REHAB PROGRAM

Since its inception, Park Physical Therapy has been a leader in promoting the appropriate assessment and management of the Industrial client. We have always focused our management programs on creating a therapeutic environment in rehab that is centered on functional improvement for the client in both life and at work.

We were the first organization to create simulated “job tasks and activities” for our clients. It was our conviction that the only way to insure a ‘safe return to work status’ was to have the Industrial client perform simulated movement patterns related to their job duties in our center.

We continue to foster the concept that Work Conditioning is a natural outgrowth and extension of Industrial Rehabilitation for clients whose injuries or conditions resulted in loss time at work. Work Conditioning is “specificity” of exercises designed to address the underlying dysfunctional Musculoskeletal imbalances and restore them back into balance. We have found that the overwhelming number of clients who are out of work secondary to injury or surgery can be successfully returned to work in a fairly routine, cost-effective way. Management generally involves early intervention to:

• establish customized goals in collaboration with clients’ objectives and then create a therapeutic plan of action
• address post-acute injury and pain with appropriate modalities and procedures,
• facilitate restorative and rehabilitative exercises to increase flexibility, strength and endurance plus a progressive home program,
• instruction for appropriate body mechanics, and posture training,
• Request a detailed “job description” from the employer or rehab nurse
• progress into work related movement patterns and activities as soon as feasible

Simultaneously, our program includes educational programs - back, neck or cumulative trauma school programs. Follow-through of good body mechanics is monitored during the course of the rehabilitation program, especially with work-related activities.

If the client is not progressing or responding as expected in their treatment protocols, we will then contact the referring physician to discuss and consider further diagnostic investigation and/or a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE). The FCE can also be utilized to identify Symptom Magnification, as well as establishing physical capacities and limitations.

Patients with physically demanding jobs who have been out of work for a number of months may require a final two (2) week program prior to return to work with what we define as a Work Hardening component.

This Work Hardening phase usually includes one (1) week of up to five (5) consecutive half-days starting in the morning, followed by up by a second week of five (5) consecutive full days of work. This progressively increases the client’s ability to sustain work effort while repetitively simulating the critical elements of their job under supervision.

Prior to our Industrial rehab program, the client is asked to sign an agreement outlining the requirements of attendance, punctuality, and compliance, as well as work safety. Work related activities and/or actual projects are set up with the client. At the completion of the Work Hardening component, a Work Hardening Discharge Summary is completed stating the client’s physical capacities at the time of discharge and an evaluation of his worker traits.

The purpose of this two (2) week intensive Work Hardening component is to increase the client’s work tolerance and re-establish worker traits of punctuality, attendance, compliance to job safety, appropriate body mechanics and productivity. This will help to ensure and expedite a safe return to work.

Work-Hardening programs and FCE’s will require prior authorization.

Industrial Rehab Program - How We Expedite Safe Return to Work

Since 1977, Park Physical Therapy has consistently demonstrated its industrial experience by serving our local communities and industries such as: Ford Motor Company, Webcraft, Highgrade Beverage Company, Revlon, and several smaller companies in Middlesex and Somerset Counties.

Our programs are successful because:

1. Each clients program is focused on rapid, safe return to work objectives,
2. With authorization, immediate entry into our program protocols. We have morning, afternoon and evening appointments available
3. The Industrial client is required to sign an agreement of compliance
4. We perform assessment of daily functional deficits and critical job demands to establish ongoing goals and program content modifications
5. clients program is designed to restore function with progressive work-conditioning, which includes work simulation and/or intensive work-hardening.
6. Training in proper body mechanics and lifting techniques with on-going monitoring.
7. On-going communication with employer, referring physician and/or case manager. The focus will be on function and work capacities for returning to former job or job modification.
8. Contacting the Industrial client if more than 1/2 hour late for appointment and making every effort to reschedule client if the appointment is missed.
9. Neck, back or cumulative trauma education programs with on-going supervision.
10. Contacting the employer, M.D., and or case manager if client is non-compliant or not progressing as expected.
11. Thorough discharge summary indicating clients capacity to safely resume prior work duties with or with out modifications.

Other services available:
Job site analysis; pre-work screening; on-site educational programs; functionality or work capacity evaluations

We at Park Physical Therapy are proud of the outcomes we have achieved in the industrial medicine arena. Client satisfaction and employer satisfaction have consistently been in the 90th plus percentile.

We look forward to serving the needs of those industrial clients who require our personalized and professional skilled services.