Early Intervention

Early intervention is a prevention and wellness program that is designed to catch workers before they have an injury. Physical therapy is utilized after an injury has occurred and is under the order of a physician.

When performed correctly, an early intervention program will drastically decrease your ergonomic injuries. We have established many programs since 2004 and each client has seen a tremendous reduction in their OSHA recordables and worker’s compensation claims.

We recommend offering early intervention to all your employees regardless of what is causing the problem. Many times, the cause of the problem may be unclear. It is best practice to offer this program for all employees.

No. Over 95% of our early intervention cases are successfully resolved and the worker is saved from developing an injury or illness. If a worker fails early intervention and a musculoskeletal disorder develops, then we have detailed notes that will protect the employer from a fraudulent or inappropriate worker’s compensation claim. People are generally more honest and forthcoming when they see us helping them. If someone is sore from weekend recreation, then they usually come and tell us that is why they are sore. If you require people to have a work-related issue to participate with the early intervention program, then people may not be as honest and forthcoming as to the source of their discomfort.

If an employee has suffered a sprain or strain, then we will evaluate them and initiate first aid treatment as per OSHA guidelines: hot/cold therapy, massage, non-rigid supports and review OTC medication guidelines.

If the employee asks to be sent to a physician, if the specialist determines the employee needs to see a physician, or if the employee does not improve with first aid.

If a worker only has subjective reports (discomfort, fatigue, soreness, etc) and has no objective findings (loss of motion, loss of strength, etc), then the employee has not suffered an injury or illness but is now at increased risk to develop one.

An injury or illness that affects muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, joints, nerves or spinal discs. An injury is the result from an identifiable moment in time. An illness is from an insidious onset in which the moment of injury is unknown but is to be considered cumulative in nature.