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What Is Work Conditioning

Work conditioning is a high level of therapeutic intervention designed to help patients regain enough function to return to work. These therapies are ideal for patients that have already progressed through traditional physical or occupational therapy but still lack full function in relation to specific duties required on the job. Work conditioning utilizes real or simulated work tasks to help prepare patients for a safe transition back into the workforce while preventing new or worsened injuries.

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Work Conditioning

Work conditioning is an intense conditioning program designed to help patients regain their overall musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiovascular functions. This includes strength, mobility, power, endurance, motor control and functional abilities. The goals of a work conditioning programs are to restore the patient’s physical capacity and functional abilities, to prevent the recurrence of the injury, and to return the patient to work.

Who can benefit from work conditioning At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists?

  • Airline Workers
  • Police Officers
  • Firefighters
  • Construction Workers
  • Delivery Drivers
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • Mechanics
  • Factory Workers
  • Healthcare Providers
  • Post Office Employees
  • Food Services & Hospitality Workers

Meet Elizabeth Bauske, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC

Work Conditioning Coordinator

Industrial Rehab Coordinator and Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist in Physical Therapy, with 10+ years of experience in treating work-related injuries and preparing injured workers for return to work. Liz is an excellent communicator who will work directly with adjusters and case managers to ensure efficient coordination of care.

What to expect

Work conditioning is typically a 2 to 6 week functional programs designed to meet the specific job needs of the patient. Work conditioning sessions are typically 3-4 hours per day, 4-5 days per week.  Each program is individualized to treat the patient’s specific injury and address overall physical and cardiovascular impairments following an injury and prolonged period of limited activity.

Functional Baseline

At the first visit, a therapist will evaluate the injury and review the patients’ needs in relation to their job. To determine the patient’s baseline, the therapist will utilize standardized tests to compare the patient’s current functional abilities to the essential functional demands of their job.

After the functional baseline is determined, an individualized program will be designed to increase the patient’s current physical abilities. The program will include strength, cardiovascular, flexibility and job specific exercise components. The referring physician, and any other authorized parties, will be given periodic progress updates which will document the patient’s progression.

Work conditioning at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists

If you have been injured in any accident and are unable to perform all of the tasks your job, you may require care by one of the highly skilled and trained Rehabilitation Professional at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists.  Our work conditioning therapies, as well as a full range of other goal-oriented therapies, are designed to help you regain full function and mobility. At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists’ our team of Rehabilitation and Work Conditioning Professionals pride ourselves on providing the best quality care for all of their patients,even before you walk through the doors for your first appointment.