Work injury treatment programs emphasize body performance, biomechanics and functional activities of everyday living.
Each person receives a unique medical plan to ensure a safe return to work. Participants typically need 2 to 6 weeks of therapy. Most insurance plans are accepted, but please check your eligibility.
Each of several different programs is designed to meet individual needs:
Early occupational restorative program (EORP)
As an early intervention for acute injury or illness, injured workers with occupational limitations are eligible to participate in the EORP. Participants work closely with both physical and occupational therapists. Treatments are customized for each person and may include:
- Manual therapy.
- Strengthening.
- Aerobics.
- Work modification.
- Biofeedback.
- Work simulation.
- Community-work integration.
- Skills for improving psychosocial issues.
EORP program staff objectively assesses ongoing functional abilities to assist physicians with writing work restrictions. This program is open to all payer sources.
Work conditioning
Work conditioning is a treatment program to assist injured workers reach their maximum potential to return to previous job duties. Therapists develop an individual exercise and work simulation program to help each injured worker:
- Improve strength and endurance.
- Achieve safe work positions.
- Potentially learn new ways to perform work tasks.
The program typically lasts 6 to 8 weeks and consists of 2- to 4-hour sessions, 3 to 5 days a week, depending on an individual's needs.
Progressive goal attainment program (PGAP)
PGAP is a time-limited standardized treatment (also called intervention). It is designed to reduce disability and contribute to a successful return to work for people who have a wide range of physical and mental health conditions.
By targeting psychosocial risk factors for disability that impact a person's ability to return to work, the PGAP is intended for people whose symptoms have stabilized but who remain occupationally disabled. This highly personalized program works to:
- Reduce barriers to functioning at home and work.
- Overcome the challenges associated with debilitating health or mental health conditions.
- Improve quality of life.
Occupational and physical therapy
Therapists at the Mayo Clinic Work Rehabilitation Center bring vast knowledge and clinical experience to treating injured workers. Not only are these therapists certified experts in work rehabilitation, but they also have many skills to treat both physical and mental health conditions.
Treatments may include:
- Assistance with setting restrictions.
- Biofeedback (muscular tension and breathing).
- Dry needling.
- Ergonomic and workstation assessments at the clinic for injuries not covered by workers' compensation insurance.
- Joint mobilizations or manipulations.
- Modalities.
- Moderation of work and home.
- Pain neuroscience education.
- Physical ability testing.
- Posture and body mechanics training.
- Sleep hygiene.
- Soft tissue mobilization and myofascial manipulation.
- Strengthening and stretching.
- Stress management.
- Time and activity management.
- Work-life balance.
- Work simulation.
- Work wellness and job satisfaction.
- Addressing how interpersonal functioning and psychological factors affect job performance.
Please contact the Work Rehabilitation Center with any questions at 507-284-4933, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, or via email.
Sept. 20, 2024