Definition: Industrial rehabilitation is a type of rehabilitation program aimed at the prevention and reduction of work-related injuries, the evaluation and treatment of the injured worker and return of injured worker to productive employment safely, efficiently, and as soon as possible.

Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE)
This is an assessment tool, beneficial in an industrial environment to:
Evaluate new employees in a post job-offer FCE in order to determine appropriate job placement to match the employee’s physical level with the physical requirements of the job:

Determine an employee’s readiness to return to work after an injury in order to better determine the need for restrictions, modified job duty, and/or return to job without restrictions; Assist the employer and physician to better improve the employee’s health and job performance.

Job Site Analysis
This is an analysis performed of a job site to determine employee safety and job appropriateness. Results of such can provide better comprehension for the employer, the physician, and therapy staff of the employee’s environment when attempting to understand the nature of an injury and when preventing further injury. As a result of a job site analysis, an industrial consultant can provide recommendations to the employer to increase safety for employees and increase efficiency with employee productivity. In addition, the consultant can work with engineering and ergonomic specialists in a team approach to increase manufacturing productivity.

Early Symptom Investigation (ESI)
This service involves having an industrial rehabilitation consultant visiting work sites to meet with employees for purposes of identifying the beginning stages of a potential musculo-skeletal injury and reducing the likelihood that more expensive medical care will be required. The consultant will meet with those employees who have reported problems such as soreness, muscle strains, spasms, joint pain, and/or catching during movement while at work. The consultation will occur during the employee’s work duties so consultant can observe the employee’s performance of job tasks and be able to assess any problem areas. Appropriate treatment will be provided to the assessed problem with plans to minimize the employee’s time off from work. Consultant shall meet with the employee weekly to follow the progress of recovery and to determine if further care is necessary to improve health and productivity.

Stretching Programs
Stretching programs can be designed and provided to employees to be performed prior to shifts in groups and/or independently to decrease risk of cumulative injury as the result of repetitive movement throughout the day. Stretching programs are specific to movement requirements, job duties, and past injury. Employees can participate in a group education setting or individually as needed based on injury.

Employment Assessment and Education
An industrial rehabilitation consultant can provide assistance with new hire employees to prevent injury on the job site. Employees can participate in new hire education to provide knowledge of signs and symptoms of cumulative injury and preventive techniques. Education is specific to industry and the demands of the job. Assessment with lifting and education of proper body mechanics can be provided to decrease employees’ risk of injury and improve employee job performance.

Work Conditioning and Hardening
Work conditioning and hardening programs are individually designed for employees based on required job duties and nature of injury in order to return the employee to the pre-injury position. Work conditioning programs focus on strengthening and aerobic demands to increase the likelihood of a successful return to work. Work hardening programs are designed for employees to perform simulated work tasks in a controlled environment to replicate job duties customary to the work environment of the employee.