Using Physical Therapy for Work Injuries

Find Healing and Strength from Your Work-Related Injury

Did you know that you can use physical therapy for work injuries? Utilizing physical therapy resources can be an effective way to heal from your work-related injury. Physical therapy can help restore mobility and range of motion, and build strength to avoid further injury. According to WORKPartners, 80 percent of work-related injuries are musculoskeletal. Musculoskeletal injuries can affect the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, or nerves. Some of the common musculoskeletal injuries we see include:

Muscle, tendon, ligament, and nerve injuries

  • Pulled muscles and muscle spasms
  • Sprains
  • Strains
  • Tendonitis
  • Bursitis
  • Nerve compression

Upper extremity (arm) conditions

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Tenosynovitis (inflammation of tendons in the wrist)
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Rotator cuff strain or tear
  • Elbow tendonitis

Neck and back pain from spine injury or poor posture

Physical therapy is the perfect remedy for these injuries and can aid in healing and mobility. Scottdale Rehabilitation in Scottdale, PA, offers many physical therapy options for those who have sustained a work-related injury. Our physical therapists will work with you to restore mobility and strength. This month, we’re sharing the many ways physical therapy can help you on your path to healing from your work-related injury.

What Are the Causes of Work Injury?

So, what causes work-related injuries? The Insurance Journal conducted a study in 2012 that evaluated workers compensation data for injuries lasting six or more days. The top five leading causes of work injuries included:

  • Overexertion
  • Falls on same level
  • Struck by object or equipment
  • Falls to lower level
  • Other exertions or bodily reactions

All of these causes for work injury can cause musculoskeletal injury, in which physical therapy can help. Broken bones, muscle injuries, and chronic pain can all result from falls and other accidents. Receiving physical therapy treatment is a non-invasive way to get hands-on treatment for pain and discomfort. However, some of these injuries may include minor surgery with a follow-up of physical therapy for treatment. It’s important to follow your physician’s directions when it comes to healing from your work injury.

Return to Work Faster with the Help of Physical Therapy

Work injuries can mean that you are out of work for weeks or even months. For injured employees, this could mean a lot of contact with workers’ compensation and your physician’s office. Your physician may recommend a physical therapy program to jump start your recovery. Physical therapy is often a major part of treatment for work injuries and in the employee returning to work. Often, the physician will communicate with the physical therapist to see how the healing process is going. The physical therapist will play a role in knowing when the employee is ready to go back to work. They can provide status updates, evaluation results, and more to determine when it is a safe time to return to work. This way you will know that your body is capable of doing the job without further strain.

Build Strength to Prevent Future Work Injuries and Strains

The key to preventing future work injuries is building strength, flexibility, and mobility. When you go to physical therapy, your physical therapist can give you one-on-one attention. You will complete a range of motion exercises targeted at increasing core muscle strength of the body. This alone can prevent falls, over exertion, and more. These exercises can also improve balance and strength for overhead movements and throwing. It’s important to only do new exercises like stated above in the presence of a professional and licensed physical therapist. This expert guidance is necessary to care for and heal your injury.

Personalized Care Focused on Healing Made Just For You

Physical therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Physical therapists can come up with a personalized treatment plan just for you. These treatment plans teach patients specific exercises, stretches, and techniques designed to help them recover as soon as possible. You can use all of the exercises and techniques learned in physical therapy beyond your treatment for future strength building. When it comes to work-related injuries, physical therapists can tailor their efforts in order to improve your well-being. Our goal is to get you back to work safely and as soon as possible.

Rely on Scottdale Rehabilitation for Comprehensive Physical Therapy

Scottdale Rehabilitation in Scottdale, PA, can assist patients with work-related injuries and more. Our goal when treating patients with work injuries is to get you back to work quickly and safely. The licensed and professional physical therapists at Scottdale Rehabilitation will work with you to provide a comprehensive treatment plan. We also offer transportation services in the Scottdale area to make coming to your appointments easier than ever. After your treatment plan, continue to take advantage of our gym programs to maintain your strength and wellness. Our staff is dedicated to your healing journey.

Are you looking for physical therapy for work injuries in Scottdale, PA? Call Scottdale Rehabilitation at (724) 887-6615. To learn more about our facility, follow us on Facebook and check our websites for updates. If you are looking to heal after a work injury, give us a call today about physical therapy for work injuries.