WORK HARDENING + CONDITIONING

Work hardening and work conditioning are both important for helping injured workers return to work and are often confused with each other, but they have subtle yet distinct differences.

For example, a work-hardening regimen is a multidisciplinary holistic program that pays attention to physical and mental well-being. Conversely, a work conditioning program focuses on restoring a patient’s physical capabilities so they can return to work and continue to perform their duties. Both approaches incorporate some of the same physical therapies, such as weight training and circuit training.

WORK HARDENING

Work hardening is a highly regimented, multidisciplinary form of therapy. In addition to helping workers physically recover from injury, work hardening helps workers mentally prepare to return to work.

Work hardening therapy employs the skills of many different types of healthcare professionals. In addition to physical and occupational therapists, psychologists and vocational specialists are often involved. They work together to create customized programs for each individual, depending on their injury and physical and mental states.

A typical work hardening program lasts four to eight weeks. Sessions can be up to five days a week, and each session can last up to eight hours. Sessions consist of a combination of:

  • Muscle strengthening exercises

  • Spine and joint exercises

  • Cardiovascular exercises

  • Job simulation exercises (i.e., sitting, lifting, bending, etc.)

  • Stress management

  • Mental health therapy

  • Speech and neurological therapy

WORK CONDITIONING

Work conditioning helps employees regain mobility, strength, motor skills, range of motion, and other physical abilities. Like work hardening, work conditioning is a specialized, vigorous, and customized form of therapy that takes place after an injury has healed.

A work conditioning program is also designed around the everyday tasks the patient normally performs at work. For example, if a patient’s job involves lifting heavy boxes, therapy sessions would simulate the lifting and placement activities the employee will have to perform upon returning to work.

The rehabilitation goals for work hardening and work conditioning therapy are very similar. The ultimate goal is to get impacted employees back to work safely. Within that goal are subgoals, including:

  • Improving range of motion

  • Improving strength, stability, and flexibility

  • Improving mechanics (such as the proper way to lift heavy objects, proper posture, etc.)

  • Increasing the employee’s awareness of how to prevent future injuries

  • Improving an employee’s overall physical and mental well-being

  • Decreasing the employee’s fear of going back to work

  • Preventing a recurrence of the injury that the employee was being treated for