Work Hardening Program

Medical Functional Assessments utilizes a Physiatric and Kinesiological approach to work hardening which focuses on the injured workers impairment. A work hardening program (WHP) is a goal-oriented, individualized treatment program to return an employee to work safely. Exercises and education focus on the injured workers' impairment with the goal of the individual safely returning to work.

A baseline Objective-Functional Capacity Evaluation is performed to determine the injured workers' current functional abilities. The objective data assists in creating the treatment plan. A plan of measurable goals is made by the Medical Functional Assessment team. An Objective-Functional Capacity Evaluation is then performed at the completion of the WHP to determine if the injured worker can safely return to work. Depending on the case, the WHP is 4 – 6 weeks long with the injured worker participating in 2 – 4 hours of activity per day for 3 – 5 days per week.

Components of the Work Hardening Program:

  • Medical Functional Assessment team including board certified Physiatrist and board certified Kinesiologist
  • Treatment plan individually made for injured worker
  • Exercises to improve strength and endurance of injured workers' impairment. Exercises progress from isometric to concentric to eccentric.
  • Education including biomechanics, ergonomics, safety and injury prevention
  • Job simulation tasks that progress in frequency, load and duration

Why choose Medical Functional Assessments?

  • WHP focus of improving the injured workers' impairment is unique to MFA
  • Our state of the art kinesiology lab allow for up to 4 injured workers to participate in a WHP at the same time
  • Our Objective-Functional Capacity Evaluations accurately determine an injured workers' baseline functional ability and determine if the injured worker can safely return to work
  • A board certified physiatrist and board certified kinesiologist are directly involved in the WHP
  • An initial report, O-FCE reports and weekly update reports are sent to all parties within 48 hours

Refer Us...

Physicians, employers, case managers, attorneys and insurance adjusters please feel free to click here to download our referral form.

Possible candidates should contact our office to see if the injured worker qualifies for the Medical Functional Assessments Work Hardening Program.