Ellisville, MO

Ellisville, MO

Get back to work and the activities you love with Axes Physical Therapy in Ellisville, MO.

Functional capacity evaluation in Ellisville, MO. Functional capacity evaluations (FCE) are essential in getting Ellisville, MO residents back to work and their daily routine after workplace injuries. At Axes Physical Therapy, we focus on providing comprehensive evaluations that help Ellisville, MO residents resume the activities they love and get back to their employment, supporting their families and supporting the community. Our goal is not just to evaluate your injury and recovery, but to assist you in returning to your best you safely and with confidence that you can accomplish the task at hand.

All of our functional capacity evaluations and treatment modalities are proven to be effective through peer-reviewed research. Call the Axes location nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.

What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?

A functional capacity evaluation is a exhaustive collection of assessments conducted to determine the abilities of an individual across different areas, particularly concerning tasks they perform at work. It proves crucial for Ellisville, MO doctors, including physical therapists and occupational therapists, to ascertain a person’s ability to work and perform everyday tasks. This assessment is especially essential for individuals in recovery from a work-related injury or illness, and are aiming to resume work or require modifications in their job tasks based on their existing abilities.

Key aspects of functional capacity evaluations in Ellisville, MO:

  • Purpose: The chief goal of a functional capacity evaluation is to assess if someone is physically capable of performing their job duties, and/or if they need modifications. It’s commonly used in situations of workers’ compensation to determine if an employee can get back to their job after an injury, or what adjustments might be needed to fit their current capabilities.
  • Components: A functional capacity evaluation commonly includes tests that evaluate physical strength, stamina, flexibility, and range of motion. It further evaluates the ability to execute task-specific functions such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
  • Duration: The evaluation can last several hours to a full day, depending on the intricacy of the individual’s circumstances and the specific demands of the job or activities being evaluated.
  • Results: The conclusions of a functional capacity evaluation play a key role in formulating rehabilitation goals, deciding if an individual can safely return to work, filing disability claims, or in legal cases to define the impact of the injury on your ability to work.
  • Use in Rehabilitation: Even outside of employment contexts, functional capacity evaluations are used in rehabilitation settings to monitor progress and modify treatment plans based on the patient’s progress or changes in functional status.

The results from a functional capacity evaluation help guide the rest of your treatment and rehabilitation. They provide conclusive data that can help Ellisville, MO health professionals, employers, insurance companies, and other relevant parties make informed decisions about a worker’s readiness to return to work and the type of modifications that may be necessary to aid this return. By understanding the restrictions and capabilities, everyone involved can cooperate to create a supportive and effective work environment that accommodates an individual’s recovery needs in Ellisville, MO while ensuring productivity.

At Axes Physical Therapy in Ellisville, MO, the functional capacity evaluation process employs the Bio-Ergonomics FCE system developed by Vic Zuccarello. This system integrates an understanding of biomechanics with ergonomics to deliver a peer-reviewed, scientifically sound, and legally defensible assessment. This thorough approach ensures that the evaluation is not only thorough but also customized to your unique job requirements in Ellisville, MO and health status, enabling a smoother transition back to job duties.

Understanding the Process of Your Functional Capacity Evaluation in Ellisville, MO

Undergoing a functional capacity evaluation in Ellisville, MO at Axes Physical Therapy entails a methodical process customized to comprehensively assess your physical capabilities in relation to your job demands. Here is what you can look forward to during the evaluation:

  • Pre-Evaluation Interview: A chat about your medical history, specific job requirements, and any issues you might raise.
  • Standardized Testing: Involves a series of tests that assess your physical strength, endurance, flexibility, and other abilities pertinent to your work.
  • Specific Task Simulation: Perform work-related tasks that simulate the actual activities you would perform on the job.
  • Cardiovascular Assessment: Assesses your stamina and cardiovascular health, particularly your ability to engage in sustained activities.
  • Data Analysis and Reporting: After the evaluation, the data collected is processed to create a comprehensive report that outlines your capabilities and any limitations.

This method ensures a comprehensive assessment, supplying critical data to help prepare for your return to work or modify your work activities based on your current functional capacity.

Ellisville, MO Functional Capacity Evaluations and Workplace Injury Recovery

A functional capacity evaluation is crucial in the recovery and reintegration process for Ellisville, MO individuals who have experienced workplace injuries. By assessing an individual’s physical abilities in a detailed and scientifically proven manner, functional capacity evaluations play multiple critical roles in the context of occupational health and safety. Here’s how the functional capacity evaluation influences various stakeholders involved in workplace injury recovery:

  • Guidance for Physicians: Doctors rely on the objective data from functional capacity evaluations to clearly comprehend the extent of an injury and to recommend proper medical or rehabilitation measures. It helps in formulating further treatment by outlining physical limitations and capacities.
  • Decision-Making Tool for Employers: Employers benefit from functional capacity evaluations as they provide a clear assessment of an employee’s functional status, informing decisions regarding the need for job accommodations, modifications, or even a change in role to match the employee’s current capabilities.
  • Support for Insurance and Legal Considerations: Insurance companies and legal professionals utilize functional capacity evaluation results to make informed decisions about claims related to workers’ compensation. The Bio-Ergonomics FCE confirms that the evaluations are sustainable in court, providing strong evidence that corroborates or challenges a claim.
  • Reassurance for the Injured Worker: For the injured worker, a functional capacity evaluation offers a credible, transparent assessment of what activities they can safely perform, mitigating the risk of re-injury by prematurely returning to work without appropriate accommodations. This process plays a vital role in setting realistic expectations and supports your psychological recovery, ensuring that the worker’s return to work is handled with care and precision.
  • Collaboration Among Parties: Functional capacity evaluation promotes a collaborative approach to an injured worker’s return to work. By creating a common understanding of an employee’s functional abilities, it helps align the goals of healthcare providers, employers, and insurance carriers, confirming that all parties are working towards the most effective recovery plan.

Axes Physical Therapy’s Approach to Functional Capacity Evaluations in Ellisville, MO

Axes Physical Therapy’s way to functional capacity evaluation is distinguished by its use of the Bio-Ergonomics FCE system, created by Vic Zuccarello in 2005. This procedure is recognized as the gold standard for FCE and work rehabilitation in Ellisville, MO, and the bi-state region for over three decades. Vic was viewed as the “go-to” expert by Ellisville, MO physicians, case managers, adjusters, and attorneys when a case requires expert assessment and the confidence to present under oath. The system applies his experience and an evidence-based protocol to identify test behaviors and to document concisely, allowing the physician to determine maximal medical improvement (MMI).

Axes Physical Therapy prides itself on promoting effective recovery and safe return-to-work methodologies through meticulous and scientifically-backed functional capacity evaluations. Our testing not only aids in accurately assessing an individual’s capacity to perform their job but also plays a critical role in managing the broader implications of work-related injuries in Ellisville, MO.

Call Axes For Your Functional Capacity Evaluation in Ellisville, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy in Ellisville, MO, we are committed to aiding our clients resume work and daily life through the precise, scientifically-backed functional capacity evaluation process. Using the Bio-Ergonomics FCE system developed by Vic Zuccarello in 2005, our evaluations are not only dependable and legally defensible but are also deeply rooted in a holistic approach to patient care. We aim to ensure that every patient can safely resume the activities and work they love, with a clear understanding of their capabilities and limitations.

If you or someone you know in Ellisville, MO is recovering from a workplace injury, consider a functional capacity evaluation with Axes Physical Therapy. Request an appointment online or call the Axes location nearest you. Together, let’s take a step towards a safe and effective recovery.

Services Offered

Services Offered
  • Physical Therapy
    • Pre/Post Surgical Rehabilitation
    • Acute Injury Management
    • Chronic Injury Management
  • Occupational Therapy
    • Certified Hand Therapy
  • Work Conditioning/Hardening
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations
  • Vestibular Therapy and Post-Concussion Rehabilitation
  • Sports Physical Therapy
  • dorsaVi Video Motion Analysis
  • Trigger Point Dry Needling
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Geriatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Women's Health Therapy - Pelvic Floor
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTYM)
  • Spine Specialty – Manual Therapy Certified
  • Free Injury Screenings
  • Kinesio Taping®
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Our Team

Sara Crain
PT, CEAS, Astym Cert.
Lauren Cavanaugh
Front Office Supervisor
Amanda Long
DPT, CMPT, ATC
Stephen Brunjes
OTR/L, CEAS
Brian Wahlig
Front Office
Sarah Schroeder
MOTR/L, CHT, Astym Cert
Daria Klein
PT, DPT, CMPT
Bill Franzen
Partner, PT, MHSPT
Kinsey Jackson
Front Office
Cassandra Wadlow
Front Office
Mary McKinney
Front Office
Brian Little
Front Office Supervisor
Zac Schniers
PT, DPT, CMPT
Danielle O’Rando
Front Office
Natasha Burtchett
Front Office Supervisor
Antoinette Ghoston
Front Office
Brad Tiehes
PT, DPT, CMPT
Ashley Kraus
Front Office
Helen Ziegler
Front Office
Addie Kersting
Front Office Supervisor
Dena Rose
PT, CMPT, CHT
Katee Strunk
Front Office Team Lead
Mark Smith
PT, DPT, CMPT
Kaila Mikesch
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Ali Bauer
PT, CMPT
Brandi Arndt
PT, DPT, CMPT
Julie Freiner
OTR/L, CHT
Eric Meyer
Assistant Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Anthony Meyer
PT, DPT, CMPT
Haley Finnegan
OTR/L, CHT
Brittany Stapp
Front Office
Hattie Kaimann
Front Office
Mitchell Hammack
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Farren Holman
PT, DPT, Astym Cert.
Jodi Bielicke
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, ASTYM Cert.
Sara Dowil
OTR/L, CHT
Mike Faris
Clinic Director, PT, CMPT
Emily Helton
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Mandy Carter
MSPT, CMPT, ATC, CWC
Matt Williams
MS, OTR/L, ATC/L, CHT
Ray Bauer
Clinic Director, MSPT, CMPT
Brett Shelton
PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, CSMT
Candace Cunningham
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Jeff Hunter
Clinic Director, PT, Cert. MDT, MBA
Scott Gallant
PT, FAAOMPT, BDN
Derrick Wolk
Partner, Clinic Director, MPT, CMPT
Greg Nicholas
Clinic Director, MPT, CMPT
John Teepe
Partner, MPT
Ernie Goddard
Partner, PT
John Ruesler
Clinic Director, DPT, CMPT, Astym Cert.
Jennifer Szydlowski
Clinic Director, PT, CMPT
Stacey Collins
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CMPT
Brian Freund
Partner, DPT, CMPT, TPS, MBA
Joe Schmersahl
Clinic Director, PT, MTC, CMTPT
Bradley Webb
Clinic Director, PT
Kelly Basler
Front Office
Daniel Scribner
PT, DPT, ATC
Jayne Scanlan
DPT, COMT, CMTPT, FAAOMPT
Sharon Titter
Clinic Director, MPT
Natalie Carter
PT, DPT, Astym. Cert.
Michelle Schrage
Front Office
Megan Phillips
Front Office
TJ Jung
PT, DPT
Kaysie Cope
Front Office
Christine Lucke
MPT, COMT.
Lauren Huckstep
Clinic Director, PT, DPT, CSCS, Astym Cert.
Mary Headrick
Front Office Associate
Megan Mason
OTD, OTR/L
Lauren Vaughn
PT, DPT, CMPT, Astym Cert.
Josh Patterson
PT, DPT, CMPT, BDN
Jon Arconati
PT, DPT, CMPT
Emma Witte
PTA, ASTYM Cert.
Stephanie Heubi
Front Office
Hannah Drake
DPT, CMPT, ATC, LAT
Kimberly Helm
Front Office Supervisor
Carly Donahue
PT, DPT, CMPT
JP Thompson
PT, DPT, Astym Cert.
Marion Shaw
Front Office Supervisor
Kelly Barnes
Physical Therapist
Abigail Alsmeyer
Front Office
Lisa Bell
Front Office
Shelby Ellis
Front Office
Kayla Kowal
PT, DPT, CMPT, CSCS
Erin Bauer
PT, DPT
Kelly Thornton
Clinic Director, PT, DPT
Mandy Wilmes
PT, DPT, COMT
Grace Gualtieri
Physical Therapist
Jennifer Zweigart
Front Office
Candy Willcox
Front Office
Lorinda Gaines
Front Office
Jeff Cowdry
OTR/L, CHT
Shannon Blum
PTA, ATC
Chris Casner
PT, Clinic Director
Jamie Baumer
PT, DPT, CMPT
Christine Rufkahr
PT, COMT, CSMT
Shawna Morrow
Front Office
Ashley Brown
Front Office
Tanya Stanek
Front Office
Bryan Chac
PT, DPT
David Grant
MPT, COMT, FAAOMPT
Megan Henderson
OTR/L, CHT
Jennifer Chura
Front Office
Brad Morr
PT, DPT
Dana Kleeschulte
Front Office
Emma Hanger
PT, DPT, LAT, ATC

Locations

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Injuries and pain shouldn’t keep you from moving and doing the things you love.