3 tips physical therapists can give you to make returning to work easier after an injury

If you have been injured in the workplace, you may feel frustrated that your injury has prevented you from being able to return to your job. You may be unable to participate in the activities that you enjoy. Even simple tasks may seem difficult due to lingering pain and reduced mobility. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence; over 2.5 million workplace injuries were reported in the United States in the year 2019 alone. More than 1 million of those injuries resulted in missing one day or more of work.

What should I do before returning to work after an injury?

It is important to make sure you are ready to return to work after your injury. Here are some tips physical therapy experts recommend if you are recovering from a workplace injury:

1. Don’t return to work before you are ready — It may be tempting to get back to work as soon as possible. But you’ll need to make sure you feel physically and mentally well enough to do so. Don’t try to come back to work before your physical therapist or doctor has cleared you to do so, or you may cause further injury to yourself.

2. Stay in touch with your employer — You may need special accommodations after you get back to your workplace. While you are not required to discuss your medical conditions with your employer, it is good to give them a heads-up if your needs have changed. A functional capacity evaluation from your physical therapist can help you determine when and how you can return to work safely.

3. Go through a work conditioning program — Your physical therapist can help you manage the pain and loss of mobility resulting from your workplace injury. They can also guide you through work conditioning, which is intended to help reduce your chances of becoming injured again. Your strength, balance, motor control and endurance will all be focused on while you go through this kind of physical therapy program.

Can physical therapy help me return to work sooner?

If you want to return to work as quickly and safely as you can after an accident, Armor Physical Therapy is ready and willing to help. Our team of licensed physical therapy specialists can work with you to create a physical therapy plan that is specifically tailored to your recovery needs. We are prepared to help reduce your pain and get you back on your feet.

Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.