Lumbar fusion surgery should not be the first line treatment for a majority of Ohio’s injured workers with back pain, according to a new rule. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation implemented the guideline Jan.1, to curb unnecessary back surgeries and reduce the risk of opioid abuse. It is said to be the most restrictive rule of its kind in the workers’ compensation system.

It is heartening to see the workers’ compensation system continuing the battle to prevent opioid abuse, misuse and diversion. While our industry has done a tremendous job in combatting the problem, it is by no means a done deal. The statistics still paint a horrific picture of the issue. The government estimates more than 100 people die daily as a result of opioid abuse.

Changes are afoot in the physical therapy profession and that’s good news for injured workers. The cookie cutter-approach is being replaced with more evidence based techniques. What’s more, we see a distinct trend toward more hands-on, less modality-based PT.

As physical therapists, we are able to provide relief for most causes of soft tissue aches and pains among workers. But the one source of pain over which we have little control is that associated with the flu.

The end of one year and start of another is a great time to assess the work we do and see how we can improve things going forward. One of my professional New Year’s resolutions is to look for ways to better serve the people we work with, especially injured workers and their employers.   

There’s a new health problem impacting workers of all ages. It’s call ‘Sitting Disease.’ It’s actually just a catchy term referring to the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle. But it perfectly describes the cause of many aches and pains — and workers’ compensation claims.

This is a special time of year for those of us in physical therapy. National Physical Therapy Month was established by the American Physical Therapy Association each October to recognize the impact and raise awareness of the valuable role we play in helping people decrease their pain, improve their mobility and return to function.

One of the biggest reasons workers go out on comp is due to low back pain (LBP). For many people it is a recurring problem. A new study even shows that having an episode of LBP is the main risk factor for having recurring episodes.