In today’s competitive climate of rising costs and shrinking profit margins, an increasing number of businesses are looking for ways to ensure a healthy bottom line. The rising cost of Worker’s Compensation claims, as well as the direct and indirect cost of job-related injuries, is being closely scrutinized.One way to control costs is to develop a comprehensive approach to reducing and treating injuries, and an effective method for treating injured workers is the use of professional physical therapy services.PHYSICAL THERAPY IS A DISTINCT PROFESSIONThe physical therapy profession is a distinct entity within the allied health professions. The physical therapist is a licensed trained professional who plans and administers a physical therapy plan of care for medically referred patients in need of physical therapy services.USED TO TREAT MOVEMENT DYSFUNCTIONThe role physical therapy plays in workers’ rehabilitation is primarily in the assessment and management of movement dysfunction. Physical therapists work to restore the functional abilities of individuals who are either permanently or temporarily disabled due to illness, disease, trauma, or congenital abnormalities. In addition to their role as clinicians, physical therapists may serve as educators, consultants, and researchers.MAJOR OBJECTIVESThe major objectives of physical therapy are:• Prevention and relief of disability and pain;• Preservation or restoration of maximal functional capabilities;• Promotion of healing; and• Adaptation to temporary or permanent disability.EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL AGENTS USEDThe field of physical therapy typically uses exercise and physical agents such as heat, light, water, and massage to relieve pain caused by surgery or by chronic medical conditions, improve muscle strength and mobility, and improve basic functions (standing, walking, and grasping) in patients recovering from debilitating illness or accidents, or for those who are physically handicapped.The physical therapist selects specific rehabilitative treatments based on the patient’s individual medical condition. Heat may be applied to ease stiffening and joint pain. The heat source may be a hot bath, compresses, heat-creating lamps, or ultrasound waves which generate heat in tissues that are too deep to be reached by external heat applications. Massage is a standard physiotherapeutic technique, both for easing pain and for improving circulation. Hydrotherapy is useful in rebuilding injured or wasted muscles.The most frequent type of physical therapy treatment, however, is exercise, carefully chosen to increase joint mobility or to improve muscle strength and coordination.Patients with physical handicaps may be trained to learn or relearn elementary motor functions, such as holding a spoon or turning a doorknob, or they may be taught how to use crutches, prosthetic devices, or other mechanical aids. The work of physical therapists is often closely coordinated with that of the occupational therapist, since both fields involve training patients to improve their motor abilities.INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH EFFECTIVEThe physical therapist often works in tandem with other medical professionals, to more completely evaluate a patient’s condition from a medical, behavioral, functional and ergonomic perspective. This interdisciplinary approach is an effective way to clearly define the problems which are preventing an expedient or eventual return to work. Once these issues are appropriately addressed and managed, the ultimate goal of improved quality of life for the injured person, as well as reduced Worker’s Compensation costs for the employer can be realized.For more information please visit www.MedicalSystemsUSA.com
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