Work Hardening Program in Hempstead, NY
Our work hardening program helps an injured worker in Nassau County rebuild the strength, endurance and job-specific skills needed to return to a physical job. Programs typically run 4 to 8 weeks, 3 to 5 days a week, with sessions of 2 to 8 hours a day.
Call (516) 307-9166 or book an appointment online to get started.
What Is a Work Hardening Program?
A work hardening program is a highly structured, goal-oriented program that uses real or simulated versions of your job tasks to rebuild the physical capacity you need to return to a specific job. It is different from work conditioning, which restores general strength, endurance and range of motion rather than simulating the specific demands of a job. Our program follows standardized, validated work hardening protocols and is run by a physical therapist or an occupational therapist, depending on your condition. If your work injury is part of a New York workers’ compensation claim, see workers’ comp physical therapy for the referral and billing details. Not sure yet whether you’re ready to return to your job? A functional capacity evaluation measures that first.
Who Is a Work Hardening Program For?
This is for an injured worker whose job involves physical demands — lifting, standing, reaching or other manual tasks — who needs to rebuild capacity before returning to that job. We see patients from Hempstead, Garden City, Uniondale, Baldwin and across Nassau County at 230 Hilton Avenue, Suite 19 & 20, Hempstead, NY 11550.
Work Hardening vs. Work Conditioning
Work conditioning is the earlier stage: it restores your general strength, endurance and range of motion. Work hardening comes after it, and uses real or simulated versions of your job tasks to prepare you for the specific physical demands of your job. South Nassau Physical Therapy offers both as separate programs.
Work Hardening and Workers’ Compensation
Many patients start a work hardening program as part of a New York workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation physical therapy requires a referral from your claim’s authorized treating provider — see workers’ comp physical therapy for what to bring to your first visit. Our physical therapists are authorized by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. Most of our work hardening patients are referred through a workers’ comp claim. Starting without an open claim is possible but uncommon, so call us to talk through your situation.
Call (516) 307-9166 or book an appointment online to get started.
Start Your Recovery Today
Call 516-307-9166 or request an appointment online. We’ll talk through what’s going on and whether physical therapy is the right next step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Work Hardening
What is work hardening?
Work hardening is a highly structured, goal-oriented program that uses real or simulated versions of your job tasks to rebuild the physical capacity you need to return to work.
What’s the difference between work hardening and work conditioning?
Work conditioning focuses on restoring your general strength, endurance and range of motion. Work hardening goes further: it simulates the specific tasks of your job so your program is matched to what your job actually demands. South Nassau Physical Therapy offers both: work conditioning as a separate, earlier-stage program, and work hardening.
How long is the work hardening program?
Programs typically run 4 to 8 weeks, 3 to 5 days a week, with sessions of 2 to 8 hours a day.