What is Occupational Medicine? | Occupational Therapy In Denver, CO

What is Occupational Medicine? | Occupational Therapy In Denver, CO

Whether it’s a small office or a big factory, the workplace is usually a place of incidents. There are different types of hazards: biological, physical, chemical, etc) that sometimes inevitably cause work accidents or illnesses. The injuries or symptoms vary, but a constant consequence is that the workers need some time to recover. In the meantime, their productivity gets lower. It also affects the employers because they need to pay them even if they don’t work, and workers are generating less income for the company. Here’s where Occupational Medicine comes up by treating the worker as an individual for work-related injuries or illnesses. It’s a win-win for both employers and employees.

What is Occupational Medicine?

Occupational Medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on preventing, assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental and physical health challenges related to work. It is a specialized branch of public health, with many similarities to industrial hygiene. However, occupational medicine focuses on the individual patient rather than the workplace as a whole.

Occupational therapy practitioners use their skills in the field to consult with people who are working or wanting to work, but they can also help those who their doctor has asked to change jobs or reduce hours due to their health. They provide comprehensive evaluations and hands-on treatment to individuals at risk for work-related injuries or illnesses. 

What Do Occupational Physicians Do?

Occupational therapists help people increase their independence, health, and ability to be employed by teaching them skills that will help them in their daily life activities. Some people called them Work Injury Doctors. These medical specialists work with a variety of people – from children to seniors – who have physical, cognitive, or emotional impairments that make it difficult for them to work or participate in other activities of daily living. Occupational Therapy is often the first line of treatment before considering more intensive treatments like surgery or counseling. 

Another aspect of Occupational Medicine is its relationship with the employers. Its specialists are a valuable resource for all types of companies. They help them develop treatment plans, provide consultations, make referrals to other professionals, or give group instruction to help the patient overcome problems or achieve more effective functioning at work.

Common problems that occupational physicians treat 

Occupational therapy practitioners work with people who have physical, cognitive, or emotional impairments that make it difficult to work or participate in other daily activities. Occupational therapists are professionals who help people increase their independence, overall health, and ability to be employed by teaching them skills that will help them in their daily life activities. They can also help those whose doctor has asked to change jobs or reduce hours due to their health, such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. 

Occupational Medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating a variety of health-related issues that might arise from work, such as:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Low back pain
  • Repetitive strain injury
  • Chronic pain
  • Arthritis
  • Diabetic neuropathy
  • Herniated discs
  • Bone fractures
  • Stress and anxiety that often accompany their work-related issues

Why are proper care plans necessary at the workplace? 

Having a proper care plan is essential to every workplace. No matter the size of the company or its number of employees, workers are always at risk. That’s why it matters to outline a strategy to react appropriately in case of an incident at work. Occupational therapists are trained to do so. That has many advantages both for workers and the companies:

  • The workforce is happier because they feel appreciated and taken care of. This makes them more loyal towards their employers and the work environment is lighter
  • The injured or ill workers can receive the proper treatment for their condition, so it takes less time to recover and go back to work. It lowers the costs of having injured workers
  • Companies can react proactively to work hazards, preventing the consequences to get worse.

Midtown Occupational Health Services – Occupational Medicine in Denver, CO

Specialists in Occupational Medicine are beneficial for both parties of the workplace. So if you are a worker involved in a work incident, or you are an employee, you should have a work injury doctor in mind. We recommend Midtown Occupational Health Services for those who are near Denver, Colorado. They offer top-of-the-notch physical therapy for workers to recover and have the experience to guide company leaders to develop a care plan that serves their needs. Check them out here or call 303-831-9393 for an appointment. 

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