A key element to the success of an individual's program is a willingness to fully participate. Our staff is there to guide patients' recovery and improvement safely, to prepare them for a transition back to the workforce.

 

Typically, an individual is referred for a Work Hardening / Conditioning evaluation by their attending physician. This initial evaluation is conducted by a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, and an occupational therapist. Recommendation for program, or other advisements, are then relayed to the attending physician for consideration. If the individual is accepted into the program, scheduling for starting the program will be dependent on the necessary approval processes being complete.  

 

Our Work Hardening Program is designed for individuals with the goal of returning back to the job at injury, or very similar work. This program usually starts with 4 hours of consecutive treatment, five days per week. The lengths of the treatment day, as well as the physical demands of the program, are increased systematically over a period of 2-6 weeks. 

 

Our Work Conditioning Program is directed at preparing a person for a return to the general workforce when a specific job target has not yet been determined. Physical and occupational therapy staff design an individual strengthening and conditioning program to improve strength, flexibility, endurance and overall physical capacities.  This program usually starts at 2 to 4 hours per day, up to 5 days per week for 2-4 weeks.