If your back has ached for weeks, should you push through your shift? If a bad lift or hours at a desk have left you dealing with pain, workers’ comp physical therapy could be an option for you. This guide covers what you might hear from our workers’ compensation doctors about physical therapy for back injuries and how it helps you get back on the job.
How Common Are Work-Related Back Injuries?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, back injuries made up 38.5% of all work-related musculoskeletal disorder cases in 2016. Back injuries are a frequent reason that employees miss work. Workers’ comp physical therapy can help with many of these cases, especially with early intervention.
An IASP report shows that more than one in four adults reports current back pain at work, with nursing, warehousing, construction, and transportation jobs as top contributors. Getting the right diagnosis is important, and it helps to find a workers’ comp doctor who is familiar with similar occupational injuries.
What Causes Back Injuries at Work?
You may benefit from physical therapy for work-related back injuries if you have fallen into any of these workplace habits, which account for many cases:
- Improper lifting: Twisting or bending at the waist while lifting heavy objects
- Prolonged sitting: Long hours at a poorly set up desk in a slouched posture
- Repetitive movements: Frequent bending or reaching without proper breaks
You might also experience sudden trauma from a fall or slip at the office and injure your back.
Your Options for Work-Related Back Injury Rehabilitation
According to National Safety Council injury data, work-related injuries requiring medical attention totaled 3.95 million in 2024 alone. Additionally, according to the CDC NIOSH Science Bulletin, between 6% and 10% of workers with low back pain end up stopping work, changing jobs, or making a major work change. Considering the scale, it is helpful to know that physical therapy is often a first-line option.
Workers’ comp physical therapy starts with an evaluation of your range of motion, strength, pain triggers, and job demands. Early sessions typically calm pain and inflammation through manual therapy and guided stretching. As pain settles, treatment shifts toward strength and job-specific movement, like safe lifting or prolonged standing.
Working during recovery is frequently possible with modified duties. These doctors typically coordinate your care with several specialists, including:
- Orthopedists, for structural issues like herniated discs
- Physical therapists, for movement-based rehabilitation
- Chiropractors, for spinal alignment and adjustments
Therapists may also coordinate with employers on temporary lifting limits or extra breaks.
How Physical Therapists Approach Workplace Back Injury Treatment and Recovery
Minor strains often ease within a few weeks of consistent therapy, while injuries involving discs or nerves can take months. Either way, physical therapy for workplace back pain focuses on getting you back to your job duties. Functional training walks patients through the specific movements their jobs demand.
Find a Workers’ Comp Doctor Who Can Get You Back on Track
Workers’ comp physical therapy can address your back pain at its source through a thorough evaluation, targeted exercise, job-specific training, and mobility work. Given the benefits of early physical therapy for work injuries, reaching out as soon as pain starts is important.
Call Workers’ Comp Doctors at (888) 533-0870 to find workers’ comp physical therapy near you. We connect injured employees across New York and New Jersey with specialists who understand occupational back injuries and how the system works.
Doctors in our directory accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Comp Physical Therapy
Here are a few questions employees have about recovering from a work-related back injury.
How Soon After a Back Injury Should Physical Therapy Start?
You should generally begin physical therapy as soon as your doctor clears you for it. With back injuries, waiting too long can allow stiffness to set in.
Will My Employer Know What Happens in My Physical Therapy Sessions?
If you are there under workers’ compensation, your employer will typically receive updates on your work restrictions rather than detailed clinical notes. This requirement varies by state.
Can I Choose My Own Workers’ Compensation Doctors?
Whether you can choose your own doctor and physical therapist depends on your state and employer policy. Some workers’ compensation requires a provider from an approved list.
How Do I Find Workers’ Comp Physical Therapy Near Me?
You can find workers’ compensation-informed physical therapists online. Contact a directory or clinic that connects injured employees with doctors who understand occupational injuries and workers’ compensation claims.