Work Related Activity Programs (WRAP)
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 Related Activity Programs (WRAP) 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 Related Activity Programs are met, ProActive Rehabilitation & Health conducts the following assessments of all clients:
- Initial Functional Assessments by an Exercise Physiologist
- Work Related Activity Programs (WRAP)
Hydrotherapy Programs- Group Exercise Therapy Sessions
- Pilates Classes (machine and exercise mat based)
Initial Needs Assessments
ProActive Rehabilitation & Health's exercise physiologist conducts initial assessments. 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.
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 8 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 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. ProActive Rehabilitation & Health's 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 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. Can be provided to the employer as a form of exercise and prevention through increased stability.
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
Costs
All costs are determined by Workcover NSW and are inclusive of GST. The costs of these sessions are for the provision of one hour consultations and ensure that the exercise physiologist is with the client for the allotted time.
An initial consultation and treatment is $132.75 (GST inclusive)
Standard consultation and treatments are $132.75 (GST inclusive) per hour
ProActive Rehabilitation & Health is based at Warners Bay. If a client requires treatment outside of the Warners Bay area the cost to the insurer is $1.54 per Km (GST inclusive) which is the current Workcover NSW gazetted rate. These distances can be calculated through www.whereis.com.au basing the point of travel from 4 King Street Warners Bay to the destination.