Work injury rehab: Patient consults with physical therapist for shoulder pain relief and mobility recovery at rehabilitation clinic
FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY EVALUATION

Functional Capacity Evaluation: Mapping Your Way Back to Strength

At Theramedic, we believe in empowering you with clarity and confidence as you heal. A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) helps assess your physical abilities after injury, illness, or surgery—and we’re here to guide you through every step. This evaluation shapes a safe, personalized plan so you can return to life or work with greater strength and certainty.

What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?

An FCE is like a personalized “fitness check” designed to measure your strength, endurance, flexibility, and ability to perform everyday tasks. Think of it as a tool to help answer important questions:

  • Certified therapists conduct personalized evaluations in a safe, supportive environment tailored to your condition and goals.

  • Assessments include real-life tasks like lifting, reaching, and standing to reflect your everyday functional abilities.
Work injury rehab: Therapist assists patient with mobility. Personalized physical therapy for pain relief and faster recovery.
Am I Ready To Return To Work Or Daily Activities?

Get the answers you need before jumping back in.

Schedule Your Assessment

Work injury rehab: Patient improving mobility with balance ball exercise. Physical therapy for pain relief and faster recovery.
What Can My Body Safely Do Right Now?

Get the answers you need before jumping back in.

Book Your FCE Today

Work injury rehab: Lifting weights during FCE at rehabilitation clinic. Nurse assists. Mobility recovery, pain relief.
What Support Do I Need To Keep Progressing?

Get the answers you need before jumping back in.

Start with a personalized FCE

Why Get an FCE?

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or managing a chronic condition, an FCE helps:

Understand Your Abilities

Know your current physical strengths and limits to guide safe recovery.

Plan With Purpose

Use clear results to shape a treatment or return-to-work plan that fits.

Backed By Proof

Get objective data to support insurance, legal, or workplace decisions.

Common Causes & Occupational Impact of Functional Limitations

Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) address how injuries, chronic conditions, and recovery processes intersect with workplace demands to guide rehabilitation and accommodations.

Example

Common conditions include herniated discs, joint replacements, and rotator cuff injuries. Often seen after accidents, repetitive strain, or major surgeries.

  • Herniated discs, rotator cuff tears, fractures.

  • Joint replacements, spinal surgeries.
Work Injury Rehab: Masked therapist assists patient. Fce physical therapy for pain relief and mobility recovery at our rehabilitation clinic.
Work Impact

Such conditions can limit lifting, pushing, or overhead work, especially in physical jobs. They often require modified duties or phased return-to-work plans.

  • Limits lifting, pushing, or overhead tasks (e.g., construction, manufacturing).

     

  • Requires phased return-to-work plans post-surgery to avoid reinjury.
Work Injury Rehab: Therapist assists patient with functional capacity evaluation for pain relief and mobility at rehabilitation clinic
FCE Focus

The FCE measures strength, endurance, and range of motion for safe task performance. It helps design personalized activity guidelines based on job demands.

  • Assesses safe weight limits, range of motion, and endurance.

  • Designs graded activity plans for manual labor roles.
Work injury rehab: Patient using resistance band for mobility recovery. Physical therapy for pain relief and improved function.
Example

Common conditions include stroke, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. These can result from progressive diseases, nerve damage, or chronic inflammatory conditions.

  • Stroke, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy.

     

  • Arthritis, fibromyalgia.
Work injury rehab: Physical therapist provides back massage for pain relief. NCCPM functional capacity evaluation.
Work Impact

Such conditions can affect coordination, balance, and fine motor skills, as well as reduce stamina for extended periods of work. They may require flexible schedules, paced tasks, or ergonomic support to maintain productivity.

  • Disrupts coordination and fine motor skills (e.g., assembly lines, healthcare).

     

  • Reduces stamina for prolonged sitting/standing (e.g., desk jobs, retail).
Work injury rehab: Therapist assists patient during functional capacity evaluation. Pain relief & mobility recovery at our clinic.
FCE Focus

The FCE assesses neurological function, endurance, and pain tolerance to determine safe work capabilities. It also helps identify ergonomic and environmental modifications that minimize strain and improve task efficiency.

  • Tests adaptability to workspace changes (lighting, noise, terrain).

  • Identifies ergonomic adjustments to minimize pain during repetitive tasks.
Functional Capacity Evaluation: Head pain treatment at rehab clinic. Focus on pain relief and mobility recovery.

Why Theramedic Stands Out

At Theramedic, we understand that every injury is unique. Our approach includes:

What Sets Us Apart?

We treat the root, not just the symptoms—to restore movement, prevent setbacks, and build resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our FCE and how we help you heal.

Who Needs An FCE?

FCEs are often recommended for individuals recovering from surgery, injuries, or chronic conditions—especially those planning to return to work or physical activity.

 Most evaluations take between 2 to 4 hours, depending on your condition and the type of work or tasks being assessed.

A detailed report is typically prepared within a few days and shared with you and your referring physician, employer, or insurance provider if applicable.

Yes. FCE reports provide objective documentation that can help support claims, return-to-work decisions, and requests for workplace accommodations.

Coverage depends on your insurance plan. Our team can help verify benefits and guide you through any required pre-authorization.

Hear How We've Made A Difference

Discover inspiring stories from patients who have found lasting relief from pain, regained mobility, and restored their quality of life with our personalized treatment plans, tailored to meet their unique needs.

Give Us A Call

(833) 733-6978

Fax

(833) 733-3778

Hours Of Operation

Mon - Fri : 9AM - 6PM