Bellefontaine Physical Therapy

What is industrial rehabilitation?

Industrial Rehabilitation through Bellefontaine Physical Therapy consists of three integrated pieces:

1. Work re-conditioning
2. Functional capacity evaluations
3. Ergonomic assessments

Click on any of the three industrial rehab services listed above to see more information.

Work Re-conditioning

Work re-conditioning is completed at the request of the attending physician and includes aerobic, isotonic and work related exercises. Work re-conditioning helps to ensure physical fitness in order to return to work in the best possible physical condition for that particular circumstance.

Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)

The Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) Process consists of an evaluation, which measures an individual's current work capability. The evaluation looks at the individual's functional ability from a physical, medical, behavioral and ergonomic perspective. An FCE is a valuable tool in the return to work process of an individual sustaining a job related injury. Our facility uses the Blankenship FCE system.

What Does the FCE test for?

• Static strength
• Material handling
• Documents the individual's ability to perform material handling activities in standard postures occasionally (0-32 times) throughout the working day (0-33%).
• Documents the individual's ability to perform material handling activities in standard postures 32-200 times per day (34-66%).
• Documents the individual's ability to perform material handling activities in standard postures greater than 200 times per day (67-100%).
• Measures grip strength, pinch, strength, dexterity, and coordination.
• Documents those activities that require specific movements or postures of the body
• Pain Profile: Determines perception of pain and disability.
• Behavioral Profile

Benefits of the FCE

For the employer:

• FCE provides a faster return to work
• Reduces the risk of re-injury by establishing safe working limits
• Gives data regarding job modifications and ergonomic solutions
• Helps verify the presence of pathology or behavioral problems

For the compensation carrier and rehabilitation specialist:

• Validates the injury
• Documents the presence/absence of a behavioral problem
• Reduces compensation costs by earlier return to work, the reduction of re-injury, and the identification of behavioral problems
• Helps to "get the case moving"
• Establishes safe functional capacities
• Matches the worker to job descriptions

For the patient/individual:

• Documents problems which affect the patient’s ability to return to work
• Speeds the return to work process
• Helps the patient return to work with safe working limits
• Provides the patient with an area in which he can focus his full energies to improve his chance for successful rehabilitation

For the physician:

• Assists with the evaluation of the medical impairment
• Assists with impairment ratings
• Relieves much of the guess work for the return to work prescription
• Helps evaluate the behavioral component
• Provides baseline data for successful rehabilitation
• Establishes a safe Physical Demand Classification for return to work

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the study of the relationship between man, work, and the working environment. It incorporates the use of physiological and physical engineering principles to create a safe, functional work environment.

What ergonomic services does Bellefontaine Physical Therapy provide?

• Development of an ergonomic team to work together to address the company's needs
• Work safety and training programs such as back school and upper extremity cumulative trauma prevention.
• Detailed ergonomic analysis on site
• Report recommendations regarding work set up and provide resources for recommended equipment.
• Follow up assessment to ensure proper implementation of recommended equipment.