What you say can have a major impact - use these practical communication tips

 

Line managers and workers have a great opportunity to provide early, positive messages about common health problems. These messages help to set expectations for recovery and staying active and working.

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• Be positive, avoid negative comments and catastrophising.

• Focus on returning to usual activities of daily living as soon as possible.

• Set expectations early, and discuss how it can be necessary to push beyond the 'comfort zone' in the return to work process.

• Reassure and inform about common health problems.

• Reinforce positive expectations, and emphasise factual information.

• Use time off work as reluctantly as you would take a powerful drug like morphine. The detrimental effects may be just as severe.

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Useful words and phrases about pain

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• Pain is a normal part of life and doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious problem: e.g. many people wake up daily with stiff muscles and joints, but this improves with movement.

• Exercise and movement often leads to pain or discomfort in the joints and muscles, especially after unaccustomed activity.

• Pain doesn’t mean damage or harm: e.g. athletes who train heavily experience pain, but it builds muscle and endurance, which is healthy.

• The pain will settle – most people make an excellent recovery.

 

 

Useful words and phrases about activity

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• Movement and activity won’t cause harm – they’ll help your recovery.

• Exercise and activity are good for you because they:

  • promote blood flow to the muscles and tissues, bringing oxygen and nutrients needed for healing

  • release endorphins, your body’s own pain-killers

  • reduce low moods and improve sleep, which help healing.

• Gradually increase your activity early on. Modify your activities, if necessary, but stay active within tolerable pain limits.

• Expect increased pain with increased activity – carefully push the boundaries of pain and discomfort. A gradual increase in activity is essential for a speedy recovery.

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Useful words and phrases about returning to work

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• People who return to work early, even in a limited capacity, have the fastest recovery rates.

• Going to work encourages activity, which helps your recovery.

• Work is an important part of our lives and provides us with a daily routine and self-esteem.

• An early return to the workplace is a very important step in your recovery process.

• In the initial stages of your return to work, it’s important to pace yourself and take regular breaks e.g. for rest and stretching.