Occupational Injury

In the event, you’re injured at work, there’s a good chance you will face added pressure to downplay the occupational injury and return to your job. However, work-related injuries can be quite serious. Helo Chen, DO, and the team at Serenity Medical Centers put you on the path to recovery with occupational therapy. They offer individualized therapy for injuries that affect your ability to function, whether the injury occurs at work, during athletic activities, or due to an illness. Don’t wait to schedule a complete evaluation; call the office in Austin or San Antonio, Texas, or use the online booking feature today.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a highly specialized treatment that improves function after an injury, orthopedic condition, surgery, or long-term illness affects your strength, mobility, coordination, and ability to perform activities at home, work, or school.

This type of therapy often involves relearning the skills you need to return to work. However, your treatment is based on the underlying condition and your personal goals. 

One person may need to focus on fine muscle coordination so they can button a shirt; others may work on the skills needed to return to a specific job or competitive sports.

How is occupational injury related to work injury medicine?

As specialists in occupational injury and work injury medicine, the team at Serenity Medical Centers has extensive experience treating people injured on the job. If you have a work-related injury, it’s essential to seek a medical evaluation right away, even if you feel fine.

Injuries and symptoms often show up days or even weeks after the accident. Getting an immediate evaluation establishes the connection between your occupational injury and subsequent health problems, which is essential for workers’ compensation claims.

A prompt evaluation also gives your provider the chance to start treatment early. In addition to easing your symptoms, early treatment may prevent complications.

As part of your comprehensive care for a work injury, the team at Serenity Medical Centers performs an individualized medical evaluation and a physical therapy evaluation. Then they create a treatment plan that often includes occupational therapy.

Workers’ compensation cases also receive support from an experienced personal concierge. Your concierge walks you through the claims process and ensures all of your paperwork is submitted on time.

What types of occupational injury benefit from therapy?

Virtually any musculoskeletal occupational injury can improve with therapy. A few of the conditions frequently treated at Serenity Medical Centers include:

• Arthritis
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Tendonitis
• Crush injuries
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Ligament and tendon injuries
• Nerve compression (carpal tunnel syndrome)

You may also need occupational therapy after orthopedic surgery or a long period of inactivity.

What should I expect during occupational injury therapy?

Occupational therapists use many techniques and therapies to restore strength, coordination, and function. Your occupational injury rehabilitation plan may include exercises, assistive devices, or customized supports designed for your needs.

You can depend on the skilled team at Serenity Medical Centers when you need occupational injury therapy. Call or book an appointment online today.