What is Occupational Health Physiotherapy?

I am a chartered and state registered physiotherapist, and a member of The Association of Chartered physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics. I have been the Occupational health Physiotherapist for Sefton Council since 2013.
In this role I am specially trained and regulated to work alone and/or as part of a multi-disciplinary team in your business / workplace. I can work to improve the health and wellbeing of workers so that they can do their jobs efficiently and effectively

What do Occupational Health Physiotherapists do?

I can offer my services across diverse settings including manufacturing, the NHS, the service industries, offices, retail, healthcare, ergonomics consultancies, public sector and private practice. I would use my role in proactively promoting health and well-being in the work environment and can improve the safety, comfort and performance of your employees. This reduces accidents and sickness absence, and helps to improve productivity and performance.

As a member of The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics (ACPOHE), I can provide a wide range of services to both employers and employees including:

Physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation of work-relevant injuries. This treatment is provided on site or in an off-site treatment centre as per your requirements;
return to work planning;
improving an employee’s tolerance to work gradually;
educating others on injury prevention in the workplace;
ergonomics workplace assessments (including DSE);
health promotion;
job task analysis and advice on modifications;
occupational and vocational rehabilitation;
functional capacity evaluations;
helping employers meet their obligations under the Equality Act 2010;
advice on compliance with Health and Safety obligations; specialist knowledge of manual handling and physical ergonomics in the office and workplace;
communication and reporting in order to facilitate return to work.

There are significant benefits for both employers and employees in using occupational health physiotherapists in their workplace. By tackling problems or potential problems early on, the likelihood of them becoming long lasting is reduced. This improves the health and wellbeing of the working population, helps people stay in work and can result in cost savings for companies.

The cost of sickness absence

The cost of sickness to UK businesses and the economy is well documented. The 2011 Frost-Black report, which reviewed sickness absence, showed that:

Sickness absence cost the economy around £15 billion annually, predominantly in lost economic output;
£13 billion was spent on health related state benefits;
long-term absence made up around 5% of all sickness absence spells, but accounted for almost half of total working days lost.

While a 2013 audit from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy stated that in the NHS, almost 40% of staff sickness absence is due to musculoskeletal conditions, e.g. back pain.

The benefits of being in employment

Evidence has shown that being in work can result in significant health improvements and increase the self-esteem of individuals. Work can also help people recover from sickness and reduces the risk of long term incapacity. The positive health effects of work mean that, if their condition permits, those with disabilities or chronic health issues should be supported to return to, or remain in, work.