Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists Collaborates with Interventional Pain Specialists of Wisconsin to Educate Employers on Back Injuries in the Workplace

Rice Lake, WI (June 4, 2014) – According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, back pain affects an estimated 86% of people at some point in their lives. In fact, 185,270 days were lost in the workplace in 2010 due to back injuries (National Safety Council). To help employers understand the common reasons for back pain, as well as how to return injured workers back to employment safely and quickly, Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists was excited to collaborate with Interventional Pain Specialists of Wisconsin (IPSW) and host "The Conservative Treatment of the Spine for the Industrial Athlete" on May 16, 2014.

The half-day educational seminar held at the Turtleback Golf Club offered education on the risk factors that lead to common back injuries, signs and symptom recognition, the essential communication tools for optimal case management of an injured worker, and preventive programs that can reduce worker’s compensation claims. Speakers included Emily Monson, PT of Clear Lake PTRS, and John K. Brendel, MD and Carol Matthys, RN, APNP of IPSW.

In addition, the speakers discussed how their offices work seamlessly together to help injured workers get back to their original functional status. "[We] really believe that this is a team project," stated Brendel during his portion of the presentation. After a diagnosis has been determined by Brendel's and Matthys' team, the providers at PTRS focus on job-task simulation in the clinic so patients can return back to their job at full functional capacity.

As many employers are aware, workers' compensation claims can be devastating. "Huge dollars are spent every year on workers' compensation claims...it can be endless expenses for the work comp patient," stated Monson. That's why PTRS also offers several preventive programs for employers to help conserve costs including early signs and symptom recognition services, ergonomic education programs and post-offer pre-employment testing.

The presentations ended with a networking session and happy hour. Anyone who was unable to attend the event but is interested in learning how to reduce their worker’s compensation costs and OSHA recordable rate is encouraged to contact PTRS at 715-236-3610 or IPSW at 715-234-7246.

PTRS is a network of locally owned-and-operated physical therapy practices in Rice Lake, Turtle Lake, Clear Lake, Hayward & Spooner, and specializes in industrial medicine, sports injuries, injury prevention, orthopedics, and more. IPSW serves the Rice Lake, Hudson, Amery & Hayward communities and specializes in the treatment of chronic pain. For more information, visit www.restoringhumanperformance.com or www.painspecialistsofwi.com.