Work Conditioning Programs at Proactive Rehabilitiation

Anyone who has been injured in the workplace or in a motor vehicle accident needs rehabilitation to facilitate a speedy yet safe return to the workforce. Work Conditioning Programs use exercise-based rehab to improve the functional abilities of a worker to return to pre-injury duties or an upgrade in their existing duties.

To ensure that all criteria of Work Conditioning Programs are met, ProActive Rehabilitation conducts the following assessments of all clients:

Initial Needs Assessments by an Exercise Physiologist
Independent Physiotherapy Assessments
Work Related Activity Programs (WRAP)
Hydrotherapy Programs
Group Exercise Therapy Sessions
Pilates Classes (machine and exercise mat based)

Initial Needs Assessments
ProActive Rehabilitations Exercise Physiologist conducts initial assessments either at the workplace or at the clients nearest Fitness Centre. The client is lead through an array of functional tests to ascertain their capabilities of undertaking a Work Related Activity Program. It is understood that not all clients are suited to this form of program and this assessment aims to determine their suitability. At the completion of the assessment a full report on the findings and recommendations are issued to all appropriate parties.

What are the benefits of an Exercise Physiologist Assessment?

To determine the weaknesses and strengths of the client, and to establish their physical tolerances.
To gain an understanding of the functional capabilities of the client and how they relate to their work environment.
To provide a greater understanding of the requirements of the client’s occupation, which correlates into a more effective program.
To assess whether the client shows any red or yellow flags prior to the commencement of the program to aid in the implementation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles.

Independent Physiotheraphy Assessments
Proactive Rehabilitation has a relationship with a well-respected physiotherapy practice, they will perform assessments on clients that are deemed to require reviews. The physiotherapy practice has no direct ties to any rehabilitation provider in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area, therefore offering an impartial assessment on the client.

This service will be provided upon request of the Rehabilitation Provider .

Who would benefit from a physiotherapy assessment ?

Clients who have an acute injury with the pathology yet to be determined. A physiotherapy assessment would be able to ascertain the pathology of the injury and advice on the best course of treatment.
Clients with chronic injuries who have had unsuccessful forms of treatment can be reassessed to determine alternative methods of treatment.
An assessment can be used to determine the appropriateness of a client undertaking a Work Related Activity Program due to the nature of their injury.

Work Related Activity Programs (WRAP)
The WRAP is conducted at a number of locations around Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, and Lower Hunter. Each program follows the same principles and includes the following:

A full program consisting of 12 individually supervised exercise therapy sessions conducted over an 8 – 10 week period with a university qualified Exercise Physiologist.
A 1 or 3-month gym membership at the nominated facility.
A mid and final program report that outlines the benefits of the program, and comments on the client’s attendance and motivation levels.
The programs focus on manual handling skills, core stability training, and strength and flexibility development. The client is educated as to why they are doing the exercises so as to improve their knowledge and decrease the risk of re-injury, therefore decreasing time off work and costs to the employer.
The program is specifically designed around educating the client on basic training principles and focusing on developing their independent exercises to aid in continual improvements being experienced by the client.
The clients are encouraged to commence independent exercise as soon as possible in relation to their capabilities and level of improvement and understanding.

What are the Benefits of a WRAP?

Developing strength and stability increases functional capabilities therefore decreasing the chance of re-injury.

Clients are educated on effective self management and pacing techniques effectively decreasing the time they have off work.
With the majority of injuries there is muscle deterioration, tightness, and a reduction in core stability. The ProActive WRAP focuses on developing the strength of weak muscles through resistance training, increased flexibility via complete stretching programs, and improved core stability through Pilates based training.
The use of a commercial gym means that the clients have access to a large variety of machines and free weights that cater for all major muscles. The machines are safe and effective and increase a client’s confidence, activity levels and strength without increasing pain levels.

Hydrotherapy Programs
The hydrotherapy programs are conducted at various swim centres around Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Hunter regions. The standard program includes:

A visit swim pass
Individually supervised hydrotherapy sessions, where the exercise physiologist is actually in the water with the client supervising every session.
A mid program report and final program report that discuss improvements that have been achieved, and their attendance and motivation levels.
Clients are provided with clear and concise exercise instructions in printed format so they can increase their independent exercise program. This will improve the client’s results and increase the chances of them continuing their treatment.

What are the benefits?

The non weight bearing properties of the water allows active exercise while providing a sense of security and causing little discomfort.
Patients in acute pain can normally achieve more in the water then on land due to the water’s buoyancy, assistance and warmth.
Hydrotherapy is useful in restoring range of motion and flexibility to the affected area. Poor range of motion and flexibility can be a limiting factor in achieving improvements for a client’s condition.
Improvements in core stability are achieved with the use of buoyancy and resistance devices.

Group Exercise Therapy Sessions
This program is available for clients who do not require intense individually supervised sessions but need guidance on correct exercise techniques, manual handling skills and/or core stability training. The length of the program is dependant on the clients needs. The program can accommodate up to 6 individuals at a time, which allows the therapist to spend time with each client to review their progress, and make alterations to the programs.

The Benefits

Group sessions provide increased motivation as clients can motivate one another and share experiences related to their improvements.
As clients are taught the benefits of their flexibility and strength training, they can take the newly acquired knowledge into the workplace and pass it on to other colleges.
The program is more cost effective for the insurer/provider/employer as more then one client can be assisted in the session at a similar cost for one client. These are beneficial when several clients are experiencing similar injuries or conditions that have them out of the workforce.

Pilates Classes
Pilates is a non impact exercise program that improves the stabilizing muscles of the pelvis, lumbar spine, shoulder girdle and cervical spine. Pilates develops muscular strength, endurance and flexibility. It improves posture, body awareness and overall function. Exercises can be performed prone, supine, seated and standing and are excellent for rehabilitating all forms of injuries. Pilates can be completed on a daily basis and in the comfort of the client’s home.

Pilates can benefit the injured as well as the healthy and is an all over body conditioning program without the impact and need for heavy machinery but with all the same benefits and results. Classes can be provided to the employer as a form of exercise and prevention through increased stability by arrangement.

Pilate’s sessions are available in either a mat format or with the use of traditional Pilate’s equipment that offer resistance and an additional challenge, or can be used to provide assistance.

The Benefits of Pilates

Development of core stability (‘powerhouse’) which includes the following muscles within the trunk – transverse abdominis, internal and external obliques, multifidus, and pelvic floor.
Increased flexibility, strength, coordination and balance
Awareness and development of postural movements and correction of muscle imbalances
Reduction of chronic back, neck, shoulder and knee pain through greater stability, control, awareness and improvement of the supporting structures of the body.
Traditional Pilates equipment, which is spring loaded equipment, can be used for rehabilitation of the knee and shoulders, and the entire spine