|
Back Rehabilitation
 It
has been shown that 20% or more of all Workman’s
Compensation claims in the United States are related
to back injuries. This represents 600,000 lost work
days per year in industry. These figures are not surprising
in light of statistics that show that 80% of all individuals
between the ages of 20-40 will at some time have a back
problem.
Research indicates that an aggressive conditioning
program based on correcting flexibility, fitness and
strength deficits; along with education regarding
lifting, body mechanics, positioning, etc. is the
method that is most successful in rehabilitation.
This applies to both surgical and post-injury patients,
with regard to their return to work.
Our program begins with a Comprehensive Physical
Therapy Examination to determine an individual’s
best course of treatment. Then each program is individualized
to their particular impairments, but all contain the
following general components:
- Educational Component: Information is provided that
includes topics such as Self Care of the Back, Lifting/Body
Mechanics- Preventive Care, Dietary Materials, and
a Comprehensive Home Program for both during the program
and after discharge.
- Conditioning Component: Supervised activities
include Aerobic Conditioning, Flexibility Activities,
Strength Conditioning and Work Simulating Tasks.
- Job Relationship Component: A “back-to-work”
mindset is stressed through attention to and monitoring
of attendance/on-time behaviors, and by constantly
placing an emphasis on the patient’s responsibility
in rehabilitation.
The Work Reconditioning Program is designed for patients
with injuries other than back injuries, but is similar
to the Back Rehabilitation Program in many ways. It
shares the same basic components (education, conditioning,
job relationship) with variations, of course, according
to particular need. Also it shares the same focus….
teaching patients to live a productive, functional,
rewarding life despite possible pain.
Back to top |
