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Occupational Physiotherapy in Brighton

The number one cause of sickness absence in the UK is musculoskeletal disorders. In the NHS, almost 40% of staff sickness is due to musculoskeletal conditions such as back and neck pain. One proven way of managing and even preventing it is occupational health services such as occupational physiotherapy.

Whether the patient is recovering from injuries or has developmental or cognitive disabilities affecting their motor skill, emotions or behaviour, occupational physiotherapy will help them fully engage in daily life.

What Is Occupational Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists work in Occupational Health Services which help employees and staff to establish safe working practices and manage health issues. Occupational physiotherapy is extremely effective with treating neck pain, back pain, stress, anxiety, and other work-related conditions. A whopping 80% of people who had physiotherapy for their musculoskeletal disorder were able to carry on working and did not have to go off sick.

How Can Our Occupational Physiotherapy Help with Occupational Health?

An occupational physiotherapist focuses on helping their clients live as independently as possible by assessing and improving their functional abilities. Many employers and their staff deal with health problems at work. This adversely affects their productivity. Our physiotherapists have specialist expertise in occupational health services and can help to prevent and reduce the possibility of sickness and injury in the workplace. They can also help staff return to work through treatment and re-training.

Our occupational physiotherapists also educate employers and staff on safe working practices and train them on matters such as lifting, good working postures, handling and equipment layout. As a person with reduced mobility or disability got from work or a health problem, you may be unable to carry out your current job. An occupational physiotherapy can discuss with you and your employer what duties you are able to do and what adjustments may be required.

How Do We Deliver Occupational Physiotherapy?

Occupational physiotherapy combines evidence-based therapeutic interventions and exercise with your bespoke programme. Physical tests will be performed to determine the best course of action to achieve your full physical potential. Your medical history will also be reviewed and the cause of the injury will be ascertained. Our occupational physiotherapists have an excellent understanding of the effect of bio-psychosocial aspects, combined with a strong workplace focus to optimise a patient’s capacity to return to work and function. Using clinical reasoning, they will tailor a recovery plan to return you to optimum function and physical activity.
Your therapy sessions will be coordinated with other training activities you participate in to avoid over-training and reduce the risk of re-injury. From time to time, your personal plan will be monitored and adjusted when needed to meet your performance goals. Advice, education and rehabilitation will be integrated into all aspects of your life.

Why Do You Need Occupational Physiotherapy for Your Staff?

Sickness absence costs the UK around £15 billion annually in lost economic output. Approximately £13 billion is spent on health-related state benefits annually. Employers have a legal duty to protect the health of their employers including individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, partnering with an occupational physiotherapist will promote better management of these conditions whilst considering all aspects of the patient’s life.

Occupational physiotherapy is clinically effective and also cost effective in the provision of occupational health services and getting people back to work. Early access to occupational health including specialist physiotherapy services drastically reduces the rate of avoidable sickness absence at work.

A combination of work-focused healthcare, timely advice and an accommodating workplace is the best prospect of sustainable return to work. Occupational health physiotherapy plays a major role in this process.

What Are the Benefits of Occupational Physiotherapy?

Occupational physiotherapists support self-management of common and complex health conditions. For most people, especially those with long-term conditions, health can actually be improved by being in work. By tackling problems early on, the likelihood of them becoming long lasting is reduced. This improves the health and wellbeing of the working population, helps people stay in work and can result in cost savings for companies.

Also, there is an 80% chance that if absent for six months, an individual will be out of work for five years. Occupational physiotherapists have a role in proactively promoting health and wellbeing in the work environment. This allows workers to avoid sickness and injury as well as the potential secondary health consequences of sickness absence or even unemployment.

There are significant benefits for both employers and employees in having occupational physiotherapists in the workplace. They include:

  • Physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation of work-relevant injuries which can be provided onsite or in an offsite treatment centre.
  • Improving an employee’s tolerance to work gradually
  • Educating others on injury prevention in the workplace
  • Ergonomics workplace assessments
  • Health promotion
  • Occupational and vocational rehabilitation
  • Job task analysis and advice on modification
  • Functional capacity evaluations
  • Helping employers meet their obligations
  • Specialist knowledge of manual handling and physical ergonomics in the office and workplace
  • Communication and reporting in order to facilitate return to work.
  • Return to work planning

Get Help

The cost burden of sickness absence due to common health related conditions is significantly high and adversely affects employers, employees and the society at large. Our occupational health physiotherapists are able to provide preventive and reactive services for keeping people at work or helping workers return quickly after sickness absence. Contact us today for a healthier life for you and your employees.

Physiotherapy/Occupational FAQ’s

What is the difference between a physiotherapist and an occupational physiotherapist?
The major difference is that occupational physiotherapists work to improve the health and wellbeing of workers so that they can do their jobs efficiently and effectively. On the other hand, physiotherapists focus on improving a client’s ability to perform movement of the body. Many physiotherapists have specialist expertise in occupational health services.
What tips can help me stay healthy at work?
  • Take breaks and get some fresh air.
  • Keep your neck active.
  • Don’t overstretch to perform a task.
  • If a load is too heavy, ask for help.
What are the major causes of sickness absence?
Musculoskeletal disorders and stress are the two main causes of sickness absence. Occupational physiotherapists can help to treat them so you can return to work as soon as possible.

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