OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Occupational therapy is a common rehabilitation healthcare service, but what does it really mean?   The word “occupation” in occupational therapy means “the jobs of everyday living”, such as:

• Cooking a meal
• Getting dressed
• Taking a bath
• Brushing one’s hair or teeth
• Community activities
• Vocational activities

Occupational therapists work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling. They help them to develop, recover, improve or maintain daily living and work skills.

Occupational therapists work with individuals of all ages with many different conditions. Anyone who has lost the ability to function in their everyday life could benefit from OT.

Examples include:

• People who have had a stroke or brain injury
• People with heart and lung conditions
• People with orthopedic conditions (including hip or shoulder fractures and replacements)
• Mental disorders
• People who have been debilitated from other illness or injury

Treatment is focused on improving function through many different modalities, including increasing upper body strength, fine motor coordination, or problem solving skills. Training individuals to use equipment to compensate for deficits is also a way to improve function. Occupational therapy professionals can help:

• An individual with arthritis mobilize his/her finger joints to be able to once again button shirts.
• An individual who sustained a traumatic brain injury be able to once again follow a recipe for baking a cake, safely.
• An individual with COPD learn ways to conserve energy while performing household chores.
• An individual recovering from a total hip replacement follow precautions while using the toilet.
• An individual who has had a stroke to regain the use of his weak side of his body and be able to know that side of his body exists by being able to once again eat on both sides of his mouth and shave both sides of his face.

The Occupational Therapy Staff at Innovative Therapies consists of several caring, experienced therapists. Our staff has specialized training in evaluating and treating neurological deficits and visual deficits.

Once an initial evaluation of a person’s strengths and deficits is performed, the Occupational Therapist will work with the patient and family to establish a treatment plan to work towards the goals of the patient.

We strive to push all patients to their highest potential so that they can once again live a fulfilling, more independent life.