Work Hardening Program

What is work hardening?

For people with work-related injuries and chronic pain, Bryn Mawr Rehab offers a range of therapies through RehabWorks, a worker rehabilitation program that brings together a multidisciplinary team to support people who have lost functional capacity due to a work-related illness or injury. Through goal-oriented treatment, patients who attend RehabWorks receive care that allows them to heal medically, physically and emotionally. 

From injury prevention to pain management, we take a creative approach to helping patients overcome work-related injuries. Our state-of-the-art RehabWorks facility has cardiovascular and isokinetic equipment, an on-site therapeutic pool and a work-hardening center. In this center, we combine physical therapy and occupational therapy with work simulation activities for the practice, modification and instruction of work tasks.

Patients in worker rehabilitation also have access to:

Occupational health and worker evaluation services

In addition to our intensive therapy options, we identify and address occupational health issues through a comprehensive range of specialized evaluation services. We’ve designed these evaluations to maximize employee health and productivity while containing health care costs. Evaluation services include:

  • Functional capacity evaluation
  • Independent medical evaluation
  • Pre-employment physical demand level screenings
  • Physiatrist evaluation
  • Psychological evaluation

Patients who participate in therapy at RehabWorks are often working-age professionals who have suffered a traumatic injury or serious illness. Many recovering patients need to regain their strength and relearn necessary skills. Our staff helps make the transition to the workplace as smooth as possible.

Related specialties

Medical Rehab

Combining medical practice with therapeutic rehabilitation, the inpatient medical rehab program supports patients with a wide range of acute or chronic conditions that cause temporary or permanent disability. Our goal is always to help patients regain as much independence as possible.

Speech Therapy

Our multidisciplinary approach to inpatient and outpatient speech therapy rehab includes expert diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, cognitive and swallowing disorders led by master’s-level, licensed and certified speech pathologists.

Sports Medicine Rehab

As part of our specialized treatment for each athlete, sports injury rehab includes use of therapies and training exercises that not only mimic the demands of your sport but also address the unique conditions of the specific position you play within your sport.

Spinal Cord Rehab

Where you’ll receive innovative inpatient and outpatient spinal cord rehabilitation care at one of the country's most respected acute rehabilitation hospitals, and 92 percent of our inpatients reach their goals upon discharge and 83 percent of outpatients meet theirs.

Orthopaedic Rehab

As one of the most extensive programs at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, our primary focus is to help patients build strength, mobility and endurance for a variety of orthopaedic conditions.

Parkinson's Treatment

The frustrating effects of Parkinson Disease can take a toll on a patient’s abilities and self-image. However, a customized therapy plan can help Parkinson patients make significant gains.

Stroke Rehab

Inpatient and outpatient stroke rehabilitation treatment and complex stroke treatment. We develop a unique stroke rehab therapy plan that help patients immediately build on their strengths and learn to compensate for limitations.

Driver Rehab

Independence is a major goal of every rehabilitation program. For over 30 years, the driver rehabilitation program at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital has offered a unique way for patients to return to this crucial aspect of their lives.