Work Conditioning

Q: What is a work conditioning program?

A work conditioning program helps injured workers rebuild the strength, endurance, mobility, and functional abilities needed to safely return to work. Gaylord combines therapeutic exercise, progressive conditioning, and job-specific activities based on each individual’s role.

Q: Who can benefit from work conditioning?

Work conditioning may benefit individuals recovering from a work-related injury who need additional rehabilitation before returning to regular job duties. Gaylord works with employees across a wide range of professions and physical job demands.

Q: What does Gaylord’s Work Conditioning Program include?

The program includes individualized physical therapy, therapeutic exercise, job-specific activities, progressive conditioning, and training in proper body mechanics and safe work techniques.

Q: How often do patients participate in work conditioning?

Participants typically attend physical therapy for three to four hours per day, three days per week. They also meet weekly with their primary physical therapist to review progress and adjust the program as needed.

Q: How does work conditioning help prepare someone to return to work?

Work conditioning recreates the physical demands of a person’s job through activities focused on strength, endurance, lifting, mobility, body mechanics, and other job-specific movements.

Q: Is work conditioning the same as traditional physical therapy?

No. Traditional physical therapy focuses more broadly on recovery and function, while work conditioning places greater emphasis on preparing someone for the specific physical demands of their job.

Q: Who oversees the Work Conditioning Program at Gaylord?

Participants are supported by a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team that may include a conditioning specialist, physical therapist, physiatrist, and care manager.

Q: Does Gaylord coordinate with workers’ compensation carriers?

Yes. Gaylord provides regular progress updates to workers’ compensation carriers to help communicate rehabilitation progress and ongoing needs.

Q: Where is Gaylord’s Work Conditioning Program offered?

Gaylord offers work conditioning services at outpatient locations in Cheshire, Cromwell, Fairfield, Madison, North Haven, and Wallingford, Connecticut. Availability may vary by location.

Helping injured workers return to their lives sooner.

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare’s Work Conditioning Program helps injured workers rebuild the strength, endurance, and functional abilities needed to safely return to their jobs. This structured, goal-oriented program combines therapeutic exercise, job-specific activities, and individualized rehabilitation to address the physical demands of each worker’s role.

Designed for individuals recovering from work-related injuries, Gaylord’s program helps improve function, restore confidence, and reduce the risk of re-injury while supporting a successful return to work.

Physical therapy 3-4 hours per day, 3 days a week
Short and long-term goals that are specific to job tasks
A therapy team that includes a conditioning specialist and physical therapist
Treatment oversight that includes a physiatrist, care manager and physical therapy team
Ability to follow or work in tandem with traditional rehab
A weekly appointment for the injured worker with the primary Physical Therapist to review the program
Weekly Workers' Comp care manager updates to the carrier
Next step physical therapy goals, if needed