Sustaining an injury at work or on your own time doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to automatically get back to your regular routine without going through a series of steps first.
This process is known as rehabilitation, which also involves various elements of physical therapy. The main goal with rehab is to help you regain as much of your pre-injury capabilities as possible.
Rehab sometimes takes place after surgery; but it can also take place as your body is naturally healing and recovering.
Customized Physical Therapy Exercises
Physical therapy exercises are at the heart of most post-injury rehabilitation programs. Therapeutic exercises normally target core muscle groups, especially ones that provide some type of support to the spine and various joints. This particular rehab goal is often achieved with exercises or stretches that improve range of motion, flexibility, and muscle strength and coordination. PT exercises done for this purpose might include:
- Stationary bike or elliptical routines
- Posture-improvement exercises
- Water-based exercises
- Gentle stretches
- Low-impact aerobics
- Yoga and similar disciplines designed to provide core muscle stimulation in a way that’s less demanding yet still effective
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) is the part of a rehabilitation program that helps you regain your ability to perform daily activities. OT is usually focused on recovery from injuries that involved sensory impairment, physical issues, or cognitive issues. Depending on the extent of your injuries, OT could involve assistance with daily self-care routines or help returning to your previous level of activity. In addition to exercises of neuromuscular reeducation, the occupation therapy part of rehab may involve:
- Upper body training
- Home management and/or wheelchair training
- Learning how to use assistance devices
- Work reintegration training
Pain Management
The physical therapy aspect of rehabilitation is focused on trying to minimize your symptoms as you heal and recover. For some patients, this means massage therapy to reduce muscle spasms or discomfort from sprains or strains. Pain management can also involve electronic stimulation, anti-inflammatory medication, and hot and cold therapy.
Setting Realistic Goals
The goals you have for rehabilitation and related physical therapy techniques will depend on what outcome you want to achieve. For instance, if you are a normally athletic person, you may want to get back to your previous activity level. This may mean committing to a more demanding PT and rehab program. However, if you normally lead a more sedentary life, you may be happy with being about to go about your daily routine without distracting pain. With work-related injuries, your primary goal may simply be to be able to safely and effectively perform your job-related tasks. Possible benefits associated with a well-rounded PT/rehab program may include:
- Decreased inflammation around soft tissues
- Reduced nerve irritation
- Improved flexibility and mobility
- A reduced risk of re-injury
Rehabilitation is a very individualized process. Some people only need a short period of PT and rehab, while other individuals benefit more from a comprehensive recovery plan that includes a combination of home-based exercises and therapeutic techniques performed under supervision. Your ability to get back to what your level of “normal” will depend on how active you were before your injury and how demanding the work you do to make a living is.