Importance of Physical Therapy for Your Work-Related Injury

If you have sustained injuries at work that caused damage to your musculoskeletal parts of your body, your treating physician may have to send you to a physical therapist. When you file a workers’ compensation claim, you normally deal with a physical therapist who specializes in working with muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. Your therapist will want to help you manage your pain and regain your normal functioning levels.  

What to Expect During Physical Therapy?

During your first appointment, your therapist will review the injury information given by your doctor and the amount of care prescribed as well as determine a treatment plan to address your needs. This treatment plan may include improving flexibility, balance, coordination, strength, and endurance. 

Often, Wisconsin physical therapy starts with an introduction of therapy designed to minimize swelling, pain or stiffness. Then, this therapy is followed by stretching, walking, weight lifting, and different kinds of exercises. Your therapist will teach exercises that you can perform at home. These exercises are specially designed for the kind of injury you have sustained. 

Moreover, your therapist will develop a total treatment plan that incudes educating you on how to avoid re-injury and injury caused by repetitive motion. Also, your therapist may incorporate the psychological and emotional support you need into the treatment plan. At the end of your treatment period, you will return to your doctor to be assessed on the progress made as you recover from your injury. Depending on the result of their evaluation, your doctor may recommend to end the therapy, try a different treatment approach, or request further therapy. 

What Happens After Physical Therapy

The outcome of your physical therapy sessions will depend on many factors such as the level if disability, the kind physical impairment, any complicating medical problems as well as the therapist’s skills and expertise. Compared to surgery, physical therapy is typically more inexpensive and is less invasive.

Who Pay for Physical Therapy If You Were Injured at Work?

If your employer refuses to pay for your physical therapy and other medical expenses, you must contact a workers’ compensation attorney. Your lawyer can review your case and expenses that have come because of your workplace injury. If you decide to file a worker’s comp claim, make sure to keep all receipts of any treatment you paid for yourself and supporting evidence that shows the correlation between your injury and necessary treatment.