As an employer, you want your employees to do their best. One way to ensure that is to schedule DOT physical therapy in Wichita, KS. Keep reading to learn what worksite physical therapists offer and what advantages their services hold over more traditional forms of treatment.
What Is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy (PT) helps injured people regain strength, mobility, and function after an injury. It can relieve pain, increase range of motion, and prevent disability. It also helps employees regain their ability to perform their job duties, return to work confidently, and safely reintegrate into the workplace.
PT typically starts with a functional movement assessment to identify patterns and weaknesses. Treatment may involve manual therapies, such as massage, stretching, and myofascial release. It may also include other therapeutic modalities like ultrasound, laser, hydrotherapy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Therapists will likely incorporate work simulation, in which the patient mimics job tasks until they can safely handle their normal work duties. Ergonomic training helps educate employees on safe work practices and optimal workstation setups.
How Is Onsite Physical Therapy Different?
Traditional PT for work injuries involves going to a clinic for treatment. Your employee may have to leave work early, wait for their appointment, and see a different therapist each time.
Onsite physical therapy brings the therapist to you, saving time, money, and hassle. Plus, your employees see the same provider each time, which helps ensure continuity of treatment. And because sessions take place at the workplace, therapists can adapt their services to real-world conditions.
Overall, WorkSafe is a more proactive approach than traditional PT. Instead of only addressing injuries after they happen, it can prevent them, treat them early (preferably before they require time off), and contribute to your overall safety culture.
What Are the Advantages of WorkSafe?
The many benefits of onsite physical therapists include the following:
1. Tailored Treatment
Perhaps the best advantage of WorkSafe is that therapists can customize a plan to meet the unique needs of your employees and your organization. Therapists can examine the workplace, monitor risks, observe work-related activities in real time, and make recommendations accordingly.
2. Early Intervention
When therapists work at your place of business, employees get treatment more easily and quickly. Onsite therapists often catch injuries early and offer treatment immediately, which helps improve outcomes and speed up the recovery process.
3. Improved Outcomes
Life can get in the way of seeking out and following up with the appropriate medical services. Employees with convenient access to onsite therapists are more likely to receive care, stick with therapy, and follow recommended treatment plans.
4. Lower Injury Rates
Onsite therapists help reduce injury rates proactively. Early intervention stops physical problems from worsening, while injury prevention programs (like wellness plans and ergonomic assessments) could stop them from happening in the first place.
5. Reduced Absenteeism
Sick and injured employees miss more work than happy, healthy employees do. Onsite therapists can nip musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and other common problems in the bud before they cause workers to require days, weeks, or months off.
6. Increased Productivity
Employees with nagging injuries don’t always take time off work, but they may not function at their best, either. WorkSafe can treat this issue, called “presenteeism,” before productivity and customer service suffer.
7. Enhanced Employee Morale
An onsite PT clinic demonstrates your commitment to employee wellness, health, and safety. This can improve trust, boost morale, and support overall job satisfaction. Plus, healthier workers tend to be happier and more productive.
8. Cost Efficiency
WorkSafe providers help control costs for employees and employers. Workers save money on outside consultations and treatments, while employers avoid the costs associated with lower productivity and workers’ compensation claims.
9. Time Savings
Importantly, access to onsite physical therapists saves time. Workers don’t need to drive to offsite clinics, fight traffic, or wait for their appointments. This efficiency can reduce time off, improve well-being, and support regular treatment sessions.
10. Consistent Treatment
With WorkSafe, the same providers visit your facility regularly. This helps ensure consistent treatment, build personal relationships, and develop trust and confidence between therapists and employees.
Get Started With WorkSafe Physical Therapy Today!
If you’re wondering which injuries benefit from physical therapy or have questions about hiring onsite therapists, contact WorkSafe today. Our worksite services include physical therapy, ergonomic assessments, hearing tests, drug screening, and more. Call us at (316) 262-8800 to speak with our team today.