WORKPLACE WELLNESS

Many of us spend up to two-thirds of our waking hours at our jobs, and so it is critical that companies develop workplace health plans that encourage employees to maintain optimal health and implement programs that ensure they are able to meet the requirements of their jobs.

Our staff of professionals has been involved in a number of initiatives to improve overall efficiency and wellness for groups and individuals. Here are some of the ways we can incorporate workplace physiotherapy solutions into your place of business:

WORKPLACE WELLNESS EDUCATION

At Propel Physiotherapy, we believe that Benjamin Franklin’s famous adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is at the core of any healthy workplace – and prevention begins with knowledge. We offer education programs to increase awareness of ergonomic issues in the workplace, while reducing workplace injuries and employee discomfort. We can also develop group exercise and treatment programs aimed at improving health and productivity at work.

WORKPLACE ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENTS

The goal of ergonomics is to fit the job to the worker rather than forcing the worker to adapt to the job. This is even more important for injured employees returning to the job. Ergonomic assessments address work discomfort, injury, medical conditions, and return to work scenarios.

Propel Physiotherapy ergonomists examine key ergonomic risk factors, including tasks, work behaviours, environment, and equipment and furniture usage to determine the root causes. Results of the assessment are reviewed with physical therapists and exercise physiologists on the Propel team to ensure specific factors involving the client’s clinical condition are appropriately accounted for.

Complete this short questionnaire to find out if you can benefit from an ergonomic assessment.

WORK HARDENING & RETURN TO WORK CONDITIONING

Many injured workers often return to work prematurely, delaying or even reversing their progress. Propel therapists can design and implement an individualized, job-specific program of activity with the goal of a safe and productive return to work using real or simulated work tasks and progressively graded conditioning exercises that are based on our patients’ measured tolerances. Work hardening provides best chance of a successful transition between acute care and successful return to work.

WORKPLACE ACCESSIBILITY ASSESSMENTS

Propel Physiotherapy consultants can assess the overall work environment and workstation to identify barriers to access for the returning worker. They will recommend cost effective accommodation solutions such as but not limited to job modification or scheduling, accessible workstation layout, wayfinding aids, assistive devices or technology, and accessible media. Most employers find that improving the accessibility of the workplace often has a general improvement on the well-being of all employees.