What are the components of the Work Hardening/Conditioning Program?
• Development of strength and endurance of the individual in relation to the return to work goal • Simulation of the critical work demands, the tasks and the enviroment of the job the worker will return to • Education that stresses body mechanics, work pacing, safety and injury prevention and that promotes worker responsibility and self-management • Assessment of the need for job modifications. If the worker can return to the stated job goal but only with changes, i.e., added equipment, changes in work position or ergonomics changes at the work site, these are to be documented and reported to the claims manager/ VRC • What is the difference between Work Hardening and Work Conditioning? • According to Matheson, the Work Hardening Program is interdisciplinary in nature, using conditioning tasks that are graded to progressively improve the biomechanical, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, metabolic and psychosocial functions of the individual in conjunction with real or simulated work activit
