Manchester, MO

Manchester, MO

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

Functional capacity evaluation in Manchester, MO. Functional capacity evaluations (FCE) are essential in getting Manchester, MO residents back to work and their daily routine after workplace injuries. At Axes Physical Therapy, we specialize in providing detailed evaluations that help Manchester, MO citizens resume the things they love and get back to their employment, caring for their families and being involved in the community. We do what we do not just to assess your injury and recovery, but to help you return to your best you safely and with confidence in your abilities.

All of our functional capacity evaluations and treatment modalities are backed by science. Call the Axes location nearest you or schedule an appointment online now.

What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?

A functional capacity evaluation is a detailed series of examinations designed to determine the abilities of an individual across different functions, particularly within work-related activities. It proves crucial for Manchester, MO medical professionals, including physical therapists and occupational therapists, to evaluate a person’s capacity for work and perform everyday tasks. This assessment is critically important if you are in recovery from a work-related injury or illness, and are looking to return to their job or need modifications in their job tasks based on their current level of function.

Key aspects of functional capacity evaluations in Manchester, MO:

  • Purpose: A functional capacity evaluations primary purpose is to assess if someone is physically capable of performing their job duties, and/or if they need modifications. It’s commonly used in cases of workers’ compensation to ascertain if an employee can get back to their job after an injury, or what modifications are required to fit their current capabilities.
  • Components: A functional capacity evaluation usually includes tests that measure physical strength, stamina, flexibility, and mobility. It further evaluates the ability to perform task-specific movements such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
  • Duration: The evaluation may extend from several hours to a full day, depending on the severity of your injury and the specific needs of the work you want to return to.
  • Results: The outcome of a functional capacity evaluation can help in creating rehabilitation goals, deciding if an individual can safely return to work, establishing disability claims, or in legal cases to determine the extent of an injury.
  • Use in Rehabilitation: Even outside of employment contexts, physical and occupational therapists may use functional capacity evaluations to monitor progress and revise treatment plans according to the patient’s recovery or changes in functional status.

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

At Axes Physical Therapy in Manchester, 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 critically assessed, scientifically proven, and legally defensible evaluation. This thorough approach ensures that the evaluation is not only thorough but also tailored to your unique job requirements in Manchester, MO and health status, enabling a safe and effective return to work.

Preparing for Your Functional Capacity Evaluation in Manchester, MO

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

  • Pre-Evaluation Interview: A conversation about your medical history, specific job requirements, and any issues you may have.
  • Standardized Testing: Includes a series of tests that evaluate your physical strength, endurance, flexibility, and other abilities relevant to your work.
  • Specific Task Simulation: Participate in work-related tasks that mimic the actual activities you would perform on the job.
  • Cardiovascular Assessment: Assesses your stamina and cardiovascular health, particularly your ability to engage in activities over an extended period of time.
  • Data Analysis and Reporting: After the evaluation, the data collected is examined to create a detailed report that describes your capabilities and any limitations.

These steps ensure a thorough assessment, providing critical data to help prepare for your return to work or adjust your work activities based on your current functional capacity.

Manchester, MO Functional Capacity Evaluations and Workplace Injury Recovery

A functional capacity evaluation is essential in the healing and return-to-work process for Manchester, MO workers who have experienced workplace injuries. By assessing an individual’s physical abilities in a thorough and empirically supported manner, functional capacity evaluations fulfill 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 depend on the factual data from functional capacity evaluations to more accurately assess the extent of an injury and to advise appropriate medical or rehabilitation measures. It assists in designing further treatment by outlining physical limitations and capacities.
  • Decision-Making Tool for Employers: Employers reap advantages from functional capacity evaluations as they provide a definitive assessment of an employee’s functional status, informing decisions regarding the need for job accommodations, modifications, or even a change in role to suit 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 ensures that the evaluations are supportable in court, providing compelling evidence that supports or challenges a claim.
  • Reassurance for the Injured Worker: For the injured worker, a functional capacity evaluation provides a credible, transparent assessment of what activities you can safely perform, minimizing the risk of re-injury by prematurely returning to work without appropriate accommodations. This process is crucial for setting realistic expectations and assists their psychological recovery, confirming that their return to work is handled with care and precision.
  • Collaboration Among Parties: Functional capacity evaluation fosters a collaborative approach to an injured worker’s return to work. By establishing a common understanding of the individual’s functional abilities, it helps align the goals of healthcare providers, employers, and insurance carriers, ensuring that all parties are working towards the most effective recovery plan.

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

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

Axes Physical Therapy prides itself on advocating for effective recovery and safe return-to-work strategies through meticulous and scientifically-backed functional capacity evaluations. Our testing not only assists 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 Manchester, MO.

Call Axes For Your Functional Capacity Evaluation in Manchester, MO

At Axes Physical Therapy in Manchester, MO, we are devoted to aiding our clients return to 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 valid but are also deeply rooted in a holistic approach to patient care. We aim to ensure that every patient can safely return to the activities and work they love, with a clear understanding of their capabilities and limitations.

If you or someone you know in Manchester, MO is healing 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
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.
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, CSCS, CMPT
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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