You are probably left with questions after you’ve been recommended to complete one of these programs. What do these programs do? What is the difference between work conditioning and work hardening? What can I expect during treatment?
Work Conditioning in San Antonio
Work conditioning is a program that focuses on strengthening your physical discipline for a few hours a day, 5 days per week. This intensive, goal-oriented program uses physical therapy to improve your strength and endurance in the area of injury as well as improving your range of motion, often with practice of specific work-related activities. One of our occupational therapists in San Antonio will help you return to work (RTW) by achieving maximum medical improvement (MMI) in as little time as possible.
Work Hardening in San Antonio
Work hardening focuses on multidisciplinary, total body strengthening and endurance. Your therapy will last for several hours per day, 3 to 5 days per week. This program attempts to replicate the work you do at your job and monitors your posture and motion, how long until you become fatigued, and your overall ability to safely perform tasks that are needed at your normal job.
Work hardening also covers the behavioral and psychological aspects that physical trauma can trigger as well. If you find that you’re unable to focus due to nervousness or paranoia about incurring additional injury, we will continue our program until you’re completely ready to go back on your own.
Both programs are built to help the injured worker return to work safely and prepared. Work conditioning is usually implemented before work hardening, depending on the type of work you are required to perform in your job, as well as how much damage you have sustained from injury.
Our long-term work injury treatment goal is to educate you in how to prevent work-related injuries from occurring in the future, while also utilizing physical therapy as a method for getting you back up and running as good as or better than you were before the injury.
Our team of dedicated work injury specialists will meet with you regularly to set and achieve physical goals and get closer to complete rehabilitation. Be prepared for regular progress reports and training in proper ergonomics and physical safety on the job as well. Your job is your livelihood, and we understand that completely. Any time away from your job is an opportunity missed to be able to pay your bills and take care of your family.
