Firefighters as the New Pro Athletes

According to a recent article in The Denver Post, the Denver Fire Department is taking a new approach with their firefighters, which includes the use of physical therapy. They’re implementing a new health and wellness program that not only helps the injured firefighter recover from injury more quickly, but also works with them to try to prevent injuries in the first place. This new program includes working with a physical therapist, and can sometimes include daily treatment.

According to the article, the total cost of their workers’ compensation injuries has already dropped 42%, and has reduced overall costs by thousands of dollars! It’s great that there’s a new approach to health and wellness, and that they’re showing significant benefit. It is also exciting to see a large and local organization with a program like this.

Ask most physical therapists, or many others in the health and wellness community, and they’d tell you that having such a focus on prevention of injury, or reduction in the risk of injury, is an important one. Prevention can provide several benefits to the both the individual and to the business. It can reduce the long-term impact and improve quality of life for the individual, and reduce the missed days of work and money spent on treatment (whether it’s a worker’s compensation case or not).

Back in Step Physical Therapy wants to take a similar approach to preventative care. It could be from the workers’ compensation perspective. It could be someone who just wants to enjoy their day to day activities or hobbies without getting slowed down. Either way, we can help determine what could currently increase your risk of injury, and then develop an individualized program to make corrections.

Contact us to get started, or check out our services page for options and more information! If you are an employer and interested in learning what we can do for your staff, learn more about our corporate services.