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.

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.

More than half of American adults face “unpleasant and potentially hazardous” working conditions. Almost three-quarters spend at least one-fourth of their work time in “intense or repetitive physical labor.”

“Early referral for outpatient rehabilitation may reduce the utilization of health services that carry greater risks or costs in those with nontraumatic knee pain.”

A new return-to-work study glaringly illustrates some of the problems with getting quick, appropriate medical care to injured workers. It also shows a substantial percentage of injured workers are not being shown how to do their jobs safely to prevent reinjury.