Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)

When returning to work after an injury or illness Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) or Functional Assessment serves as a crucial tool in understanding an individual’s ability to perform various tasks. Depending on the nature of the injury these function may include both those physically and psychologically. These evaluations provide measurement of capacity, providing valuable insights into an individual’s function.

Our experienced team, comprising Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologists, and Psychologists, conducts these assessments in controlled environments. With our expertise and appropriate equipment we ensure accurate and thorough evaluations tailored to each individual.

When may a Functional Capacity Evaluation be valuable?

Uncertainty about Task Performance: When we want more information on the individual’s ability to perform specific tasks and for what durations. Also important if different duties are proposed during recovery at work.
Aggravations of Conditions: If individuals report exacerbations of their condition due to task performance during rehabilitation programs.
Risk Management: When there’s a risk that an individual’s rehabilitation program might worsen their condition.
Clarity for Return-to-Work Planning: When medical professionals require greater clarity to guide return-to-work planning effectively.

What might occur in Functional Capacity Evaluation?

Our testing methodologies are evidence based, ensuring objective assessment of the individual’s abilies.

An FCE can include tests such as:

strength testing
range of motion testing
flexibility testing
comprehensive musculoskeletal examination
manual handling assessment
psychological assessments

At IOH our experienced and qualified rehabilitation specialists provide services such as:

Workplace Assessments and Recover at Work
Return to Work with New Employer and Redeployment
Psychological Injury Rehabilitation
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE)
Vocational Assessments

Rehabilitation Services

IOH Services

IOH is a participating member in the Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association (ARPA). ARPA fosters communication in the rehabilitation industry to promote and advance recovery, restoration, return to work and return to independence of people with injuries and diseases. Our involvement with ARPA is our commitment to providing our clients with best practice workplace rehabilitation.

DLCO Respiratory Testing

Spirometry is probably the most well-known of the pulmonary function tests (PFT). This is the test where we ask you to “keep blowing, keep blowing!” There is another test that can provide a wealth of information on how the lungs are actually exchanging the gases that keep us alive known as the diffusion capacity of lung for carbon monoxide or DLCO.

DLCO assesses how efficiently oxygen moves from your lungs to your blood. It’s a type of pulmonary function test that helps healthcare providers understand lung function. During the test, you inhale a gas mixture containing a small amount of carbon monoxide, measuring how much transfers to your blood.

What should I expect during a lung diffusion (DLCO) test?

During a DLCO test, a technician will put a clip over your nose or a mask on your face. They’ll have you:

Put your mouth over a mouthpiece attached to a machine. The machine will deliver the gas mix. It will also measure and record your results throughout the test.
Take a few normal, steady breaths.
Inhale deeply and exhale completely.
Breathe in quickly through your mouth.
Hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as you can.
Breathe out.

Your technician may wait a few minutes and repeat the test at least one more time.

What does low DLCO mean?

Low DLCO means your lungs aren’t getting oxygen from the air to your blood efficiently.

Common conditions include:

Anemia – you have lack of hemoglobin to pick up the CO, so uptake is reduced.
Emphysema & COPD – The surface area has decreased due to thin and collapsible alveoli, so CO uptake is reduced
Pulmonary Fibrosis – The alveolar membrane is scarred and thick, so CO update is reduced

What does high DLCO mean?

Some conditions include:

Obesity.
Asthma.
Bleeding in your lungs.
Cardiac shunt.
Heart failure.

However, can also be high if exercise is completed before the test.

Call to book with our medical team

Ph: 02 4210 7200

Additional Medical Services

Audiometry

DLCO Respiratory Testing

Drug and Alcohol Testing

Functional Assessment

Respirator Fit Testing

Spirometry

Vaccinations

New Employer Rehabilitation

Having a workplace injury upend your life is often unimaginable and sometimes this may lead you to be unable to return to your previous employer. IOH Health has a dedicated team of Rehabilitation Counsellors and Employment Consultants, experienced with working with people injured at work to identify their skills and capacity to undertake new employment.

Scott Morton the senior employment consultant has been an absolute legend to my outlook after my injury and helping assist me in getting back to work and encouraging me to be confident and capable of going back to my job of welding which is a passion of mine. I would like to thank him and IOH rehab for having such wonderful staff. I would also like to thank varsharli for her help and Anita also and Chloe and also sheyla as they have been great people to deal with during my recovery. Thanks guys I really appreciate it!!!!!!!

IOH team have been great helping with my recovery and giving me awesome support getting a new job and also with re training Highly recommend them getting you back to work

Frank was amazing and understanding when it came to helping me in my return to work. Very much appreciated with all his assistance and help!

Over the past year our team have returned on average 2 more people out of every 10 we have supported find new and durable employment. This year that is 42 more people back in work who would have had their rehabilitation service closed unsuccessful had they been referred elsewhere. Apples are often not apples. Would you knock back a 20% discount when you have the choice?

If you are a person injured at work who is being assisted to find new employment, your voice is important and you can request a review of rehabilitation provider if you are getting no traction with your current assistance. It is your life, so ensure you are getting the best performing team on your side.

Unsure of next steps then please just call or email our dedicated Workplace Rehabilitation team and we can help you get the support you deserve.

At IOH our experienced and qualified rehabilitation specialists provide services such as:

Workplace Assessments and Recover at Work
Return to Work with New Employer and Redeployment
Psychological Injury Rehabilitation
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE)
Vocational Assessments

Rehabilitation Services

IOH Services

getback

Controlled. Gentle. Effective.

AVAILABLE NOW AT IOH WOLLONGONG

getback™ treatment uses carefully targeted movement and strengthening exercises to reverse the ‘de-conditioning’ cycle caused by back pain. The treatment includes guided exercise with controlled loading on DAVID medical devices designed by Biomechanists and Exercise Scientists. Every treatment of your individual program is supervised by our Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists.

Reversing the de-conditioning cycle triggered by back pain is the foundation of the getback™ program. Back pain makes us avoid moving the painful area, resulting in loss of mobility and weakening the spine’s supporting muscles. Without treatment, the de-conditioning cycle continues and episodes of back pain may occur more frequently.

Treatment focused solely on pain relief doesn’t address any underlying weakness in the spine’s supporting muscles. getback™ promotes overall spinal health by targeting and ‘re-conditioning’ the deep spinal muscles that support and stabilise the spine.

To find out more please visit getback.com.au

Movement as medicine

DAVID Medical Devices are designed to provide a safe and effective way of improving mobility, strength and spinal coordination.

Your rehabilitation program is managed on the EVE platform (eValuated Exercise). EVE is rehabilitation software that manages the whole treatment process providing quantifiable data on your progress in real-time.

Exercise Physiology (Rehwork)

Rehwork - Exercise Physiology

Address: 32 Swan St, Wollongong NSW 2500

We work with patients of all ages

People of any age can experience debilitating pain conditions. We consult with people of all ages and design treatments specific to your needs.

Treatments for all types of pain

Whether you have back, neck, knee or shoulder pain or you need pre/post operative help we treat people with all types of pain conditions.

Active treatment, no more 'wait & see'

Our treatment approach is active with the focus on helping you back to the things that you need, improving your quality of life and teaching you ways to manage and cope better with your symptoms.

Unique specialties mean we can help

Our treatment approach is active with the focus on helping you back to the things that you need, improving your quality of life and teaching you ways to manage and cope better with your symptoms.

"In my experience with Rehabilitation, the team at REHWORK are fantastic. The staff are very understanding, friendly and work with you. They've changed my life."

Gai Greentree

Do YOU need help with a PERSISTING PAIN CONDITION?

Most of us expect pain from injury, surgery or illness to fade over a 3 month window.

But it is common (1 in 3 Australians) for your pain to persist well beyond this healing time.

For some, physical pain may even appear and persist without any obvious related physical damage.

It is common for the body to become more sensitive the longer the pain goes on – it takes less to make it hurt, it can hurt more and other non-injured areas can become painful.

THIS IS PERSISTING (OR CHRONIC) PAIN.

Every day activities and workplace performance can become difficult or impossible.
Over time, sufferers often experience reduced physical and emotional strength, a loss of self-confidence or self-worth and strain on relationships with partners, family and friends.
Feelings of frustration, anger, fear and grief are not uncommon, especially in cases where repeated treatment attempts (or worse – the ‘wait and see’ approach) have failed to deliver any improvement.
It is invisible, isolating and exhausting. But it doesn’t have to be.

On YOUR FIRST VISIT to our clinic in WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA
we'll work with you ONE-ON-ONE to build your PERSONAL RECOVERY PLAN

Treat your pain
Learn better ways to manage and cope with your pain
Decrease the impact of pain on your daily life and work
Pace up to your normal level of activity
Improve your mobility and function
Get back to the thing that you want and need to do
Playing with your kids
Recreation & sporting activities
Normal work duties
Reduce anxiety and stress and improve mood
Develop your confidence with movement
Learn ways to reduce the risk of re-injury

Your Personal Recovery Plan

Your very own treatment plan, tailored and paced just for you, based on your specific pain experience, your physical ability and your personal recovery goals.

You’ll have written instructions, images, worksheets and activity/pain diaries to help you with all your prescribed exercise programs – helping you develop better coping strategies, and providing the feedback we can review together and refine your treatment even further.

we asked OUR PATIENTS what THEY VALUED MOST ABOUT working with REHWORK

"The exercises are changed & adapted to suit my ability at the time and they're always looking to improve my overall wellbeing."

"The staff are fantastic, the exercises are tailored to suit me, great atmosphere!"

"RehWork helps me with my injury both physically and mentally and gets me fitter. The Staff are very friendly and help you realise the difference between good and bad pain through patient education."

For REAL RESULTS you need TREATMENT based on a MODERN UNDERSTANDING of PAIN SCIENCE

We often consult with people who have tried many different types of treatments, medications and physical therapies to improve their condition.

In many circumstances they are no better off, these ‘failed treatments’ instead increase anxiety and foster hopelessness and lack of control.

Those failed treatments failed to recognise that multiple factors contribute to longer term pain: treatment expectation, previous pain experiences, culture, social and work environments, fear of movement and pain, beliefs and thoughts, activity levels, anxiety and emotions… and more.

The current recommended and most effective approach for treating and managing chronic pain is one that takes into account not only the physical cause of pain (the injured joint or muscle) but also integrates strategies to address the psychological and social factors that contribute to pain and disability.

The REHWORK TOOLBOX

As a patient at RehWork you can expect your Personal Recovery Plan to contain the very latest in evidence-based, research-enhanced pain treatment strategies.

PERSISTING PAIN DOES NOT HAVE TO MEAN A LIFE OF DECREASED ACTIVITY OR SUFFERING.

Exercise & Movement

The body needs to move to recover. Moving structures like the nerves, discs in the back and joints improves their health. What’s more, it hurts less after exercise!

Muscle Relaxation

Persisting Pain can result in short, tight and stiff muscles which intensify pain. Muscle relaxation and stretching relieves this.

Cognitive Behaviour Strategies

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a treatment used to identify thoughts and feelings that influence your pain experience. Our therapists are skilled in these strategies.

Mindfulness Exercises

The body and the mind are connected, and both affect longer term pain. Just as the body needs exercise to recover, so does the mind.

Stress Management Strategies

There is no greater stressor than experiencing pain for long periods. By reducing your stress you will also decrease your pain!

Patient Education

We place a strong emphasis on you understanding your condition and also about physical activity pain & injury. This includes understanding good vs bad pain during exercise.

Work-Related Exercises

Graded work related exercises are specific to the physical demands imposed by daily activity, work & recreational pursuits. You will improve your tolerance and limit risk of re-injury.

Humour, Respect & Trust

We create a warm and supportive environment where you can achieve your rehabilitation outcomes with a few laughs along the way.

Commercial Driver Fitness to Drive

Commercial Vehicle Driver Medicals are for drivers of trucks, public passenger vehicles (buses), and vehicles carrying dangerous goods. This may be referred to as a Fitness to Drive, TruckSafe or Dangerous Goods Driver Medical.

Assessing Fitness to Drive is a joint publication by Austroads and the National Transport Commision (NTC) Australia, detailing medical standards for driver licensing purposes. Assessments are conducted following the national standard available from Austroads.

IOH Doctors are experienced in the requirements for the Health Assessment for Commercial Vehicle Drivers, ensuring the risk of incidents on the road due to health conditions are minimised.