5 roles virtual PT can play in boosting your employees’ well-being

An employee’s well-being consists of more than just their physical health. Your employees’ relationships both inside and outside of work, emotional and mental health, and financial stability all contribute to their well-being. Even if your employees are in peak physical condition, an imbalance in even one of these areas can have a severe impact on their overall well-being. Their engagement and energy in the workplace will almost always suffer as a result.

Unfortunately, employee well-being in the United States seems to be at an all-time low. A recent Gallup report showed that 76% of employees have admitted experiencing symptoms of job burnout. Burnout is one of the most obvious signs that an employee’s overall health and well-being are not what they should be. The reasons for experiencing burnout range from poor management to an unmanageable workload to unfair treatment at work. 

What is the link between employee well-being and productivity?

There is a growing body of research that points to the link between an employee’s well-being and their performance at work. “My executive consulting practice was founded on the principle that engagement and wellness are inseparable,” says Naz Beheshti, CEO of a successful corporate wellness firm and author of “Pause. Breathe. Choose: Become the CEO of Your Well-Being.” “Healthy employees are happier and show higher rates of job satisfaction. Engaged employees show up to work with a bounce in their step and are less vulnerable to stress, a significant driver of poor health.” 

Beheshti points out several recent studies that confirm this belief. According to this research, employees who reported feeling engaged at work made their organizations and companies 21% more profitable. Employers who supported well-being initiatives in their company also reported a much higher percentage of employees who were engaged in their work.

Well-being initiatives can come in many forms. Some companies might focus more on improving work conditions, such as more comfortable seating. Others might also include initiatives to help improve physical fitness and wellness. Stocking an employee fridge with healthy snacks and allowing more frequent rest breaks are both examples of investments in employee wellness. Allowing employees access to virtual physical therapy sessions is another big step toward ensuring employee well-being.

Can virtual physical therapy improve my employees’ well-being?

Physical therapy is an effective tool for increasing an employee’s overall health and wellness. Most people think of physical therapy as a treatment for patients with an injury, and this is not incorrect. However, physical therapy is also an effective way to stay on track with your health and fitness. Virtual physical therapy services are a cost-effective way to allow your employees to reach these goals.

Here are five roles that virtual physical therapy can play in your employees’ well-being:

1. Reducing aches and pains — Poor posture and uncomfortable conditions at work can often lead to aches and pains at the end of a long workday. Many of these aches can grow into larger problems if left untreated. Physical therapy is an effective way to reduce pain without the need for expensive and often dangerous pain medications. 

A licensed physical therapist can also help employees by instructing them on good posture and form. This can reduce pain in the future and help prevent conditions such as spinal dysfunction. Employees who no longer feel aches and pains are also less inclined to miss work.

2. Encouraging exercise — While some jobs provide employees with plenty of physical activity, many employees find themselves stuck in one place for the majority of the workday. This will leave them stiff and tired at the end of the day, which can make it difficult to work up the will to exercise. 

Virtual physical therapy sessions encourage employees to exercise and move. This not only helps to improve their overall physical wellness, but contributes to their mental well-being as well. Exercise releases endorphins, the hormones responsible for feelings of contentment and well-being. Many people find that regular exercise also reduces stress, which contributes to burnout and feelings of job dissatisfaction.

3. Improving function — An employee’s productivity and performance can often depend on their ability to move well and do their job quickly. The goal of physical therapy is to improve your body’s mobility and overall function. This includes increasing flexibility, improving your range of motion, and boosting your strength. This helps to make performing everyday tasks easier. Physical therapy can help employee performance by making them better prepared to work and feel better as they do so.

4. Lowering health care costs — Employees who are in better physical health are far less likely to experience an accident or injury on the job. Engaged employees also make fewer mistakes that might lead to an accident. Workplace injuries cost companies thousands of dollars every year and many hours of lost productivity. 

Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome can also be common in the workplace. Physical therapy can help employees avoid this through posture training and frequent exercises.

5. Boosting engagement — Offering virtual physical therapy to your employees goes a long way toward boosting engagement. Offering these services to your employees shows that you are invested in their well-being. Employees are far more likely to remain engaged and energized at work if they feel that their company is invested in their well-being.

How can Agile Virtual Physical Therapy help me invest in my employees’ well-being?

Are you looking to offer your employees options for preventive care and overall wellness? Virtual physical therapy delivers the comfort and convenience that patients want and the quality care they deserve from experienced licensed therapists. Agile Virtual Physical Therapy is the nation’s largest network of telehealth physical therapy providers.

Advances in technology have made physical therapy services more accessible than ever. Agile Virtual Physical Therapy connects employees to a network of over 400 quality providers using our convenient and secure mobile phone app. We can help employees stay on track with their health and fitness with our Agile Stay Well subscription. Agile Stay Well offers unlimited access to a personalized exercise program, a yearly consultation to track progress, and other perks and savings.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.