Holistic Approaches for Recovery after an Occupational Injury

According to statistics from the UN, around 374 million people globally suffer from some form of non-fatal injury at work every single year - resulting in short to long-term sick leave, with medical treatment, and rehabilitation required to get back up to speed again. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a non-complicated case of back pain or an injury or illness that requires longer periods of recuperation, rehabilitation after workplace injuries and accidents requires a holistic approach by companies these days. Here’s how such methods can really benefit employees. 

Holistic approaches to injury recovery matter

For many companies, it’s a simple case of getting someone back to work as quickly as possible, when they’re injured and there’s little thought to anything other matters that arise due to an enforced break. 

Consider that employees might end up claiming compensation from their worker’s insurance if the injury was no fault of their own. This can be costly and often unnecessary if the right precautions and protections are put in place in the first instance. 

Thus, taking a step back and considering a more holistic approach to recovery can bring real benefits to a business and improve staff morale over time. 

What are holistic approaches to injury recovery at work?

Holistic approaches to injury recovery take into account the whole person - and consider not only the physical recovery that’s needed but the effect on their mental health too. 

Say, for example, an employee has a long-term injury to their back or hip that causes persistent pain. You’d employ traditional methods of help in terms of medication and treatments such as pain relief and input from physiotherapists and occupational health practitioners. 

Alongside this, there would also be input from a counselor or therapist who would chat with the patient about how the pain was affecting their day-to-day life and their mental health and they’d offer practical help and solutions for managing this alongside all the conventional treatment on offer. 

Holistic approaches can also cover what happens to employees in the longer-term aspects of recovery such as assisting with diet, nutritional supplements, and fitness plans that will help them achieve their goals once they’re fit and well enough to return to work. 

Benefits of a holistic approach to injury recovery at work

Many companies now offer workplace wellness programs as part of their employee benefits package, and they’re an attractive prospect for many people seeking out employment. Why is this? 

First of all, an employee will see this and feel valued and as though their health and well-being matter to their employer. Workplace wellbeing programs that offer holistic approaches to physical and mental health often mean people need less time off in the first place - as they’re being well looked after. 

Holistic approaches work well in terms of staff retention. If people know they’ll be cared for in the event of an illness or injury they’ll offer loyalty in return. 

These kinds of methods will actually expedite an employee’s return to work if they are injured on the job, as the process will be optimised and tailored to the patient, meaning that they’re focused on their recovery and treatment plan, fully.