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Physiotherapy

AIM

To improve or maintain the capacity of a workforce and to identify aspects of the work or workplace that may be the cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s).

WHY INTRODUCE IT?

Introducing Occupational Physiotherapy will be beneficial to the organisation and to the employees working for that organisation.  It also helps companies to manage attendance by keeping people in the working environment.

WHAT IS IT?

An effective Occupational Physiotherapy service will consist of 3 main elements:

These elements should not be provided in isolation, but rather as a combined service to ensure that all aspects of the management of musculoskeletal conditions are addressed.  It is also important to know when it is necessary to provide occupational physiotherapy and who needs to be involved.

Prevention

To prevent employees developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's).  This can be achieved by, e.g. a department walk through, education and training, health promotion and fitness testing.

Treatment

To provide hands-on treatment to help workers manage symptoms such as pain, inflammation and loss of movement.  It also includes specific workplace assessment to give advice to the individual and to management.

Rehabilitation

To return an employee to their pre-injury capacity and educate them to help prevent recurrence.  It may also involve improving an employee’s capacity/skill beyond their pre-injury capacity and coupled with education can prevent recurrence.  This can be achieved by, e.g. individual or group sessions, work conditioning, exercise and fitness advice and workplace assessment.

Click here for case studies

For further information and more specific details on the Occupational Physiotherapy service offered by IOH, please contact Elaine Skilling, MCSP, Head of Physiotherapy on 07824449106

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Case Studies 

Example 1:  No access to Occupational Physiotherapy

A plant operative develops acute back pain whilst at work.  He is sent home to make an appointment with his GP.  He sees his GP the next day who signs him off work for 2 weeks.  After 2 weeks he is only slightly better and is referred to the NHS for physiotherapy and signed off for another two weeks.  Referral times vary but average 6 weeks to see a physiotherapist, during which time the operator is losing physical condition and he is unsure as to what he can and can’t do.  He is likely to return to work after 4 weeks but may require modified duties or reduced hours, or he may go off sick again if he returns to full duties.  There is no communication between the GP and the employer and no advice regarding what the employee is or is not able to do.

Furthermore, repeated episodes of the same problem along with inappropriate management may lead to claims for which there is no effective defence.

Example 2:  Access to Occupational Physiotherapy

A plant operative develops acute back pain whilst at work.  He sees the onsite occupational physiotherapist who assesses him, gives reassurance and advice that it is unlikely to be serious.  Advises him to take 48 hours off to let the symptoms ease and then advises on a return to work programme to minimize the risk of his injuring himself further on return or needing to take further time off.  This information is relayed to the employer to ensure best outcome is achieved.

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WHEN IS IT NECESSARY?

Occupational Physiotherapy is beneficial to any organisation where employees reporting MSDs affect sickness absence.  It is always likely that initially an Occupational Physiotherapy service will be predominantly taken up with treatment and rehabilitation, but with time these should be equated by the preventative element.  Occupational Physiotherapy is not just required in workplaces that have traditionally “heavy” work; workplaces where employees have predominantly sedentary jobs have a high, if not higher, reported levels of musculoskeletal discomfort.

WHO NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED?

An effective Occupational Physiotherapy service will involve:

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