May 14, 2014

Spooner & Hayward Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists Study Functional Testing to Return Patients Back to Work Quickly & Safely; Reduces Time Lost for Employer

Spooner, WI (May 14, 2014)– Spooner & Hayward Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists (Spooner & Hayward PTRS) recently attended a 2-day educational training on May 9-10 to further enhance their industrial specialty. Following previous coursework on October 30, 2013 and May 8, 2014, the training focused on functional testing, which will allow the clinic therapists to better assess an injured worker’s physical capabilities and job demands. Proper functional testing integrated into an injured worker’s treatment results in better outcomes with employees being fully fit-for-duty upon return to work.

Recent studies by the National Safety Council determine that the average direct cost of an individual workers' compensation claim for an employer is approximately $36,551. In the state of Wisconsin alone, there were 86,000 non-fatal work injuries in 2011, with 23,150 requiring an average of at least 6 days away from work (statistics compiled by the Wisconsin State of Laboratory Hygiene). Spooner & Hayward PTRS' goal is to help employers reduce these costs and lost times by rehabilitating injured workers as quickly and safely as possible.

The staff at Spooner & Hayward PTRS understands that no two injuries are alike. Therefore, they completed the functional testing training to become further educated on how to better individualize a patient’s treatment plan. When incorporated into a plan of care, functional testing allows a therapist to better determine a patient’s current abilities in relation to his or her job demands, as well as create a treatment plan that simulates many of the worker’s daily job tasks. Testing also allows the therapists to assess the injured worker’s productivity, pain levels, safety, and physical tolerances. Regular updates on the patient’s progression and estimated return-to-work timelines based off of this objective data can be easily and proactively communicated to those involved in the case management process.

The family at Spooner & Hayward PTRS is dedicated to providing the best quality services for our community and local employers. They are excited to utilize their knowledge on functional testing to expand upon their already thriving industrial services, and be able to better communicate with employers how they can return injured workers back to employment safely and quickly.

Spooner PTRS is a locally owned-and-operated network of physical therapy clinics with locations also in Turtle Lake, Clear Lake, & Rice Lake, WI. Focusing on quality care, the clinics specialize in sports injuries, industrial medicine, injury prevention, orthopedics, vestibular & balance services, postural restoration, and wound care. For more information, visit www.restoringhumanperformance.com or call 715-635-2518.