• Menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • About
  • Search
  • Resources
  • Privacy
  • Contact
 

Amaxx Workers Comp Blog

Reduce Workers Compensation Costs By 20-50%

Header Right

  • Home
  • Books
    • Big Book
    • Mini Book
  • Training
    • WC Mastery Membership
    • Course Curriculum
    • Certified Master of Workers’ Compensation
    • Certified Master of WC – Best in Class
  • Coaching
    • CompElite Strategic Coaching for Employers
    • BrokerElite Coaching for WC Business Growth
  • Software
  • Blog
  • Advertising

Mobile Menu

  • Home
  • Books
    • Big Book
    • Mini Book
  • Training
    • WC Mastery Membership
    • Course Curriculum
    • Certified Master of Workers’ Compensation
    • Certified Master of WC – Best in Class
  • Coaching
    • CompElite Strategic Coaching for Employers
    • BrokerElite Coaching for WC Business Growth
  • Software
  • Blog
  • Advertising
  • About
  • Search
  • Resources
  • Privacy
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Medical Cost Containment / The Benefits of Physical Therapy in Workers Comp

The Benefits of Physical Therapy in Workers Comp

December 14, 2012 By //  by Rebecca Shafer, J.D. Leave a Comment

What is Physical Therapy?

When injuries result in damage to musculoskeletal parts of the body, treating physician often need to send an injured employee to a physical therapist. Physical therapy, also known as physiotherapy, is a medical service designed to develop, maintain or restore the employee’s normal body movements.

With workers compensation claims, an injured employee normally deals with a physical therapist that specializes in working with muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and joints. Other physical therapists specialize in skin problems resulting from burns or wounds, nerve injuries and related muscle or breathing and lung problems. The physical therapist’s goal is to help the employee regain prior functioning levels. A side benefit is often pain reduction from the injured body part.

Click Link to Access Free PDF Download

“The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers’ Comp Injury Causation”

The Primary Treating Physician’s Role in Physical Therapy

When an employee injures or has surgery on a limb or joint, the treating physician often recognizes that the employee’s range of motion is limited, or the limb or joint’s functioning is below what it was before the accident or surgery. The injury created an abnormal body condition making it difficult for the employee to do normal tasks.

Primary treating physicians usually have a working relationship with various physical therapists in the local area. The physician recommends the physical therapist best suited for the employee’s type of injury. The physical therapy will be conducted in an out-patient clinic setting.

Depending on the injury’s severity and the physical therapy needs, the physician will prescribe the expected amount of physical therapy treatments the employee may need.

What Happens at Physical Therapy?

At the first visit, the physical therapist will review the injury information provided by the physician, the amount of care prescribed and then determine a treatment plan to address the employee’s needs. The treatment plan may include improving flexibility, endurance, strength, coordination and balance.

Usually the first step is to introduce therapy designed to reduce swelling, stiffness or pain. The initial modules may include water hydrotherapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat packs and cold packs. These are normally followed by stretching, walking, weight lifting and various types of exercise. The physical therapist will often teach exercises to be done at home that are specifically designed for the employee’s type of injury.

In addition, the therapist will create a total treatment plan. This will include educating the employee on how to avoid re-injury and injury caused by repetitive motion. The best physical therapists also incorporate the psychological and emotional support needed by the injured employee into their treatment plan.

Kim Lough, Vice President of Care Management Operations at Network Synergy Group, commented, “One of the key ways of delivering a positive outcome for patients during physical therapy treatment is ensuring therapy goals are tailored to the needs of each individual patient. This approach to individualized treatment plans helps ensure quality patient care while effectively managing claim costs.”

FREE DOWNLOAD: “The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers’ Comp Injury Causation”

At the end of the treatment period, the employee returns to the physician to be evaluated on the progress made in recovering from the injury. The physician can request further therapy, end the therapy or try a different treatment approach.

The Outcome of Physical Therapy

The outcome of physical therapy depends on several factors including the level of disability, the type of physical impairment, any complicating medical issues (like degenerative disc disease or diabetes) and the skill and expertise of the physical therapist. Physical therapy is normally less expensive than surgery and is less invasive. Overall, physical therapy benefits the employee in most cases where it is used.

Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker, and publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. She is the author of the #1 selling book on cost containment, Workers Compensation Management Program: Reduce Costs 20% to 50%. Contact: RShafer@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.

Editor Michael B. Stack, CPA, Director of Operations, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in employer communication systems and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is a writer, speaker, and website publisher. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.

©2012 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law.

FREE DOWNLOAD: “The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers’ Comp Injury Causation”

Filed Under: Medical Cost Containment Tagged With: lower your workers comp, Network Synergy Group, Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Clinics, Reduce/Lower WC Costs, Reducing Workers Compensation Costs, workers comp, Workers Compensation

Related Articles

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) in Workers’ Comp: A Case Study on Partial Rotator Cuff Tear

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) in Workers’ Comp: A Case Study on Partial Rotator Cuff Tear

What is Evidence-Based Medicine in Workers’ Compensation

What is Evidence-Based Medicine in Workers’ Compensation

The Role of Evidence-Based Medicine in Transforming Workers’ Compensation

The Role of Evidence-Based Medicine in Transforming Workers’ Compensation

Part 2 of 2: When Not to Use Nurse Case Management in Workers’ Compensation

Part 2 of 2: When Not to Use Nurse Case Management in Workers’ Compensation

Part 1 of 2: Understanding Nurse Case Management and When to Use It

Part 1 of 2: Understanding Nurse Case Management and When to Use It

What’s Your Why? A Collective Portrait of Purpose and Compassion at National Comp 2024

What’s Your Why? A Collective Portrait of Purpose and Compassion at National Comp 2024

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Vocational Rehab in Workers’ Compensation

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Vocational Rehab in Workers’ Compensation

Hear from Injured Workers and Join Paradigm in Supporting Passion, Purpose, and Kids’ Chance at National Comp

Hear from Injured Workers and Join Paradigm in Supporting Passion, Purpose, and Kids’ Chance at National Comp

Eleven Considerations for Selecting Your Workers’ Comp Company Doctor

Eleven Considerations for Selecting Your Workers’ Comp Company Doctor

Tools & Tips to Manage Chronic Pain in Work Comp Claims

Tools & Tips to Manage Chronic Pain in Work Comp Claims

6 Ways to Get the Most From Medical Treatment Guidelines

6 Ways to Get the Most From Medical Treatment Guidelines
Controlling Work Comp Transportation Expense Is More Than Ordering an Uber

Controlling Work Comp Transportation Expense Is More Than Ordering an Uber

Controlling Work Comp Transportation Expense Is More Than Ordering an Uber

Train to Succeed

BECOME CERTIFIED IN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Proven Course Catalog & WC Toolbox Give You The Power To Achieve Lower Costs and Better Injured Worker Outcomes

VISIT WORKERS' COMP TRAINING CENTER

Free Download

The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers' Comp Injury Causation - FREE Download Click Here Now!

Previous Post: « The Best Tidbits of News From the Workers Comp Community
Next Post: Privacy Upheld on Personal Use of Work Issued Computer »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

FREE DOWNLOAD

The 6-Step Process To Determine Workers' Comp Injury Causation - FREE Download Click Here Now!

Our Sponsors

Catastrophic and Risk Solutions, Case Management Solutions, and Specialty Networks
 

Injury Management Solution for Employers

Blog Categories

Search Our Archive

Subscribe to Our FREE Newsletter

Return-to-Work Essentials

Footer

Search Our Archive

Search our continually growing archive of over 5,000 articles about Workers' Comp issues.

Quiclinks

  • Calculators
  • Terms & Abbreviations
  • Glossary of WC Premium Terms
  • WC Resources
  • Best Practices
  • Industries
  • Return-to-Work Essentials

RSS Recent Blog Posts

  • Why New Hires Get Hurt—and How to Stop It
  • Job Descriptions: The Secret Weapon for Safer Hiring and Lower Workers’ Comp Costs
  • Resume Lies, Fake References, and Hidden Risks: How to Spot Red Flags Before You Hire
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEE NEWSLETTER
Let Us Help You Stomp Down the High Cost of Workers' Comp!
Top of Page ↑
  • Home
  • Training Center
  • Search
  • Membership
  • Products
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Login
Copyright © 2025 Amaxx, LLC. All Rights Reserved. · Privacy Policy / Legal Notice