Are you experiencing pain or discomfort that is affecting your ability to work? Or are you seeking a way to improve your health, function, and overall quality of life? Occupational physical therapy may be the answer. Read on to know more about what occupational physical therapy is and how it might benefit you!
What is Occupational Physical Therapy?
Occupational physical therapy is a field of medicine that focuses on movement and rehabilitation. As we perform our jobs, safety and efficiency are a top priority. Occupational therapists play a crucial role in the recovery process by providing rehabilitation after injuries. They can also assist in improving your workstation or workplace. With the help of a therapist, patients can become familiar with the mechanisms of the body – bones, muscles, and nerves. Forms of occupational physical therapy intervention are:
- Exercise plans
- Manual therapy
- Pain management
- Electrical stimulation
- Ultrasound therapy
- Other modalities
When Do I Need Occupational Physical Therapy?
Occupational physical therapy may help you perform better at work. It can also restore lost mobility and help keep you safe.
To Recover from Work-Related Injuries
Returning to work after an injury, surgery, or disability may take time and therapy. A physical therapy program will help you regain strength, mobility, and stamina so you can resume regular job tasks. You will also learn exercises that are appropriate for your current ability and condition.
To Prevent Workplace Injuries
Physical therapy is not just for those who suffer from work-related injuries. Teaching injury prevention methods is how physical therapists help ensure safety in the workplace. Occupational health and safety are always a must, especially when it comes to physical jobs. Exercises for strengthening, flexibility, and endurance help to avoid future injuries.
To Help Perform Work
Prevention and treatment are not the only purposes of occupational physical therapy. An individualized treatment plan may help you adapt to the demands of your job better. There are therapy programs focused on developing the motor skills needed for work.
To Learn to Use Assistive Devices or Prosthetics
Assistive devices can help boost your abilities. Using assistive devices may require training and practice exercises specific to that device, so you may need time to learn how to use them correctly.
Workers who have lost a limb will benefit from occupational therapy for prosthetic use. Additionally, rehab therapy will ensure proper circulation, skin health, and mobility on the job.
Meanwhile, burn patients will need to learn wound care and the use of orthotics or splints. Workers who need canes, walkers, or wheelchairs may also benefit from physical therapy to help with their mobility.
To Ease Suffering from Work-Related Pain
Repetitive and strenuous movements at work can lead to pain, discomfort, or injury. There are beneficial exercises that can be done without muscle strain or damage.
If you experience any pain or discomfort while on the job, share this with your occupational physical therapist. They can help by observing how you perform work and suggest interventions to correct your movements.
To Implement Ergonomics
The practice of proper movement and ergonomics should not wait until workers experience pain or injury on the job. The work environment must adapt to the physical needs of the workers as a preemptive measure. Such mitigation ensures productivity, lessens fatigue, and prevents musculoskeletal injuries.
Factors such as table height and shelf organization can have a significant impact on a worker’s agility. Physical therapists can also coach workers on proper posture and body mechanics.
To Provide Functional Job Analysis
Physical therapists and trainers know how to conduct a functional job analysis in the workplace. They can assess the compatibility between a worker’s abilities and the demands of the job. This comprehensive and structured process helps determine an employee-job match to prevent workplace injuries and claims.
Occupational Physical Therapy, Grand Junction, CO
Occupational therapy has numerous workplace benefits regarding health and safety. It can also help restore or even improve skills you may have lost due to injuries or disease.
We at WorkPartners Occupational Health can help you with your occupational health needs. Since 2008, we have provided occupational physical therapy in Grand Junction, CO. Our physical therapists and athletic trainers have made countless clients happy with their results over the years. With our proven solutions, there is no need to search for “occupational health services near me” any longer.
To know more about our WorkPartners Occupational Health specialists and services, you can reach us at (970) 241-5585. You may also fill out our convenient online appointment request form. We look forward to being your partner in health!
