Shoulder pain sidelining you from work? Realign Chiro Physio’s WorkSafeBC-funded timeline gets tradespeople and laborers back to full overhead lifting, pushing and pulling within 8-12 weeks through targeted physiotherapy.
Week 1-2: Protect and Reduce Inflammation
Goal: Control acute pain/swelling from rotator cuff strains, impingements or labral tears common in construction, warehousing and manufacturing.
Realign Protocol:
- Manual therapy gently mobilizes frozen glenohumeral joint
- Soft tissue work releases tight pecs, lats, upper traps
- Modalities: laser therapy, ice/compression protocols
- Pendulum exercises restore passive range without stress
- Sling use guidelines, sleep positioning education
Success Metric: Pain drops from 8/10 to 4/10 during rest; passive shoulder flexion reaches 90°.
Week 3-4: Restore Active Mobility
Goal: Regain voluntary shoulder control for basic work tasks like light material handling.
Progression:
- Isometric holds (wall pushes at multiple angles)
- Active-assisted range: wand exercises, doorway stretches
- Scapular stabilization: wall slides, prone T’s, Y raises
- Bicep/tricep gentle strengthening begins
- Posture taping supports proper mechanics
WSBC Check-in: Document 120° active flexion, pain-free scapular retraction. Submit for continued coverage approval.
Week 5-7: Build Strength and Endurance
Goal: Prepare for moderate work demands—overhead reaching, 20-30lb lifts.
Advanced Protocol:
- Resistance band external rotations (supine → standing → overhead)
- Serratus punches, scapular clocks for dynamic stability
- Dumbbell scaption raises progressing 1lb → 5lb
- Plyometric catches for power development
- Work simulation: tool holding endurance (drill overhead 2min → 10min)
Milestone: 140° flexion/extension, 20lb overhead press tolerance, pain-free work simulation.
Week 8-12: Work-Specific Conditioning
Goal: Full return to trade duties—50lb lifts, repetitive overhead work, sustained arm positions.
Trade-Tailored Final Phase:
- Construction: Hammer swing endurance, drywall overhead carry
- Manufacturing: Assembly line pacing with 5lb tools continuous
- Warehouse: Box stacking to shelf height, pallet jack leverage
- Functional capacity testing matches pre-injury job demands
- Job site visit optimizes return-to-work plan with employer
Discharge Criteria: 170°+ full ROM, 50lb+ overhead lift, 45min continuous work simulation matching job pace.
WSBC Coverage Throughout Recovery
Realign handles direct billing with weekly progress reports proving functional gains. WSBC approves extensions based on measurable improvements—your kinesiologist coordinates with claims officers to align treatment with return-to-work goals.
Prevention Package: Discharge includes home maintenance (bands, posture cues) and 3-month follow-up to bulletproof shoulders against recurrence.
Timeline varies by injury severity but consistency pays off. Start your WSBC shoulder recovery at Realign today—claim number ready, back swinging hammers sooner.
