Many individuals suffer injuries through work, recreational activities and athletics.  The question that resounds is, “When can I return to my activity?”  The answer to this question, unfortunately, is not an easy one.  It is very difficult to designate an exact time an individual will be able to return to their specific activity.  The health care provider responsible for each specific case will make this decision.  The health care provider may be a physician, physical therapist, physician assistant or athletic trainer.  Each individual case is unique.  However, basic guidelines can and should be utilized when determining “when to return to my activity.”

Each individual must become pain-free and able to perform the specific skills for their job or activity.  The series of skill related exercises used to achieve that goal are referred to as functional rehabilitation or the functional progression.  The term functional rehabilitation is defined as a succession of activities that stimulate actual motor and sport/work skills, enabling the individual to acquire or reacquire the skills needed to perform the endeavors safely and effectively.  This careful and planned progression through a series of exercises can assist the individual in their attempt to return to their activity.  This progression of exercises needs to be performed with either supervision or through a home program that has been specifically taught to the individual.  Examples of where these functional rehabilitation exercises are taught and/or supervised are occupational therapy clinics, physical therapy clinics, work-hardening centers, athletic training facilities and physician offices.  Following the guidelines set forth for the specific injury as determined by trained professionals is very important in order to have success.

An example of functional rehabilitation is a worker on an assembly line that has injured his/her arm.  The health care provider needs to address the scope of the job and plan the exercises that will help the worker feel comfortable and confident with their skills when they return to work. Another example of functional rehabilitation is a ‘weekend warrior’ that receives an injury to their ankle.  The health care provider must first introduce exercises that get the individual back to activities of daily life (ADL).  Secondly, the provider must address the sport/activity requirements in order for the individual to return to their ‘weekend warrior’ activities.  These exercises will need to be completed prior to the individual returning to their activity or work.

In conclusion, to return to activity, work or sport, one must follow set guidelines determined by their health care provider and be able to perform those activities without pain or hesitation.  Functional rehabilitation will give the individual an opportunity to progress in a manner that can be tolerated by the body and injured area.  The time frame is variable to the type and severity of the injury, but the outcome is always the same; return to competition.