For many workers, a serious on-the-job injury brings more than pain - it brings uncertainty.
Will I recover? Can I do my job again? Will I avoid getting hurt a second time?
While traditional rehab helps injuries heal, physically demanding jobs require more than recovery. Workers need strength, stamina, and endurance to return safely and stay there. That’s where Gaylord Specialty Healthcare’s Work Conditioning Program comes in.
Designed for Workers’ Success
Gaylord’s Work Conditioning Program has helped injured workers across a wide range of industries, including first responders, manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and more, regain the strength and confidence needed to return to work successfully.
“Traditional rehab is about healing an injury,” says Dr. Jerrold Kaplan, Medical Director of Outpatient and Workers’ Compensation Services. “But when someone’s job is physically demanding, they need more than just healing, they need to be ready to meet the requirements of the job and prevent re-injury. That’s where work conditioning comes in.”
Each program is tailored to the individual and is led by a physical therapy team. The focus is on progressively building the strength, stamina, and mobility needed for the specific demands of the person’s job.
“It's not a one-size-fits-all program,” Kaplan adds.
“We design a customized program to mirror each individual’s specific work tasks, such as lifting or climbing, so they can return feeling strong, confident, and ready to do their job safely.”
From Firehouse to Recovery
After multiple on-the-job injuries, a young firefighter faced uncertainty. Rehab helped him heal, but he wasn’t physically prepared to return to the extraordinary physical demands of firefighting such as climbing ladders, carrying heavy gear, and responding to emergencies. Returning too soon risked another injury and carried the possibility of putting his life – and others’ lives – at risk.
Through Gaylord’s Work Conditioning Program, his rehabilitation focused on real-world job tasks like heavy lifting, endurance training, and job simulations. Over several weeks, he progressively regained strength, confidence, and the ability to make a strong, successful, and safe return to firefighting.
A Nurse’s Comeback
After injuring her back while lifting a patient, a nurse struggled to return to work. Even after rehab, the physical demands of long shifts, lifting, and constant movement felt overwhelming.
She turned to Gaylord’s Work Conditioning Program to progressively rebuild her strength and endurance. With a targeted program of specific simulated tasks and training, she retrained her body for the challenges of nursing. Weeks later, she returned to her role stronger, safer, and without fear of re-injury.
For injured workers, the goal isn’t just recovery, it’s returning to work stronger and more capable than before. Work conditioning makes that possible.
If you are still recovering from an injury sustained at work, ask your provider to refer you to Gaylord Specialty Healthcare. Learn more here or call Jackie Magnuszewski, Manager, Workers' Compensation, at 203-284-2989.
