Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists of Kenosha Attends Continuing Education to Better Meet Local Employers’ and the Community’s Needs

Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists of Kenosha (PTRS) recently hosted a two-day educational training on July 26-27 to further enhance their industrial specialty. Included in the training was the network clinic located in Sturtevant, WI. Following previous coursework on the treatment of the injured worker in October 2012, this new education will allow the clinic to better assess an injured worker’s abilities and job demands through objective and functional testing. By understanding these two items, the therapists are able to create an individualized treatment plan to return the patient back to work more quickly.

Worker’s compensation costs can be devastating to companies. According to the Wisconsin State of Laboratory Hygiene, there were 86,000 non-fatal work injuries reported in Wisconsin in 2011, with 23,150 requiring an average of at least 6 days away from work. The National Safety Council also reports that in 2011, there were 60 million days lost nationally due to workplace injuries. PTRS Kenosha’s goal is to help employers reduce these lost times.

The staff at PTRS Kenosha understands that no two injuries are alike. Therefore, they underwent the training to become further educated on how to individualize each patient’s treatment plan. In order to return an employee to work in the most safe, timely and cost effective manner, the therapists at PTRS Kenosha implement an aggressive work injury program while incorporating functional testing. The testing component allows the therapists to determine a patient’s current abilities in relation to his or her job demands and pain levels, as well as create a treatment plan that simulates the job tasks. This also allows the clinic to provide education and ergonomic training to the patient to avoid future injuries, as well as communicate a patient’s job restrictions, job modifications and return to work abilities to the employer.

Jeanette DeWitt, Clinic Director and Physical Therapist is excited to begin implementing this knowledge: “It was really an amazing training. We learned a ton of info from experts in our field. The education is very applicable to our current industrial athletes and I am proud that we will be able to better prepare our patients for a safe and expedient return to work.“

PTRS Kenosha is a locally owned-and-operated private physical and occupational therapy practice located on 18th Street. Specializing in sports injuries, industrial medicine, injury prevention education, women’s health, orthopedics, vestibular and balance, concussion management, and pre/post natal services, the staff prides themselves on providing the best quality treatment and care to their patients.

If you would like more information about this topic please contact 262-551-5650 or email jeanette@ptrsonline.com.