OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational therapy is an evidence-based treatment deeply rooted in science. It’s a proven therapy that helps improve activities of daily life. Interventions include helping people to recover and regain skills from an injury, helping children with disabilities participate in school and social arenas and helping seniors improve cognitive and physical skills. An occupational plan is all-inclusive and includes:
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An individual evaluation to determine patient goals
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Customized intervention activities to improve daily tasks and activities for the patient
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An outcomes evaluation to determine if goals were met and to make changes to the plan, if needed
This is similar to physical therapy, but there are differences. While physical therapy focuses on the patient’s ability to perform movement of the body, occupational therapy focuses on the patient’s ability to perform daily living activities. For example, a physical therapist will work with a patient who suffered from a stroke to build muscle strength, while an occupational therapist will work with the same patient to practice basic skills like walking, eating, bathing and dressing. These fields overlap. An individual may start working with a physical therapist and then progress to working with an occupational therapist. These therapies complement each other.
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Overall, occupational therapy goes beyond addressing injuries. It includes the whole person’s functional needs and implements activities to promote psychological well-being. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an individual’s physical well-being, Occupational Therapy practitioners address psychological, social and environmental factors that may hinder an individual’s functioning in different ways. For example, for a young patient may include using a special tool to make cupcakes at home. If an adaptation to a utensil needs to be fashioned, an occupational therapist will do it. This unique approach makes occupational therapy a vital part of health care for patients. People just feel better emotionally when they can engage in everyday activities and their hobbies.
Do you have an injury or medical condition that is causing pain and limiting your daily activities? Would you like to learn more about how occupational therapy and physical therapy can help you eliminate your pain and improve performance? We’ll educate you and be happy to set up a one-on-one consultation. Make a request today. Our certified and caring therapists are committed to helping you get on the road to recovery. Feel better and get back to your life with occupational therapy and physical therapy. We are available at Delta Plus.
