Occupational Therapy
Reclaim Your Life with occupational Therapy
Do you have an injury or medical condition that is causing you pain, limiting your daily activities, and preventing you from enjoying the things you love?
Are you looking for relief for a condition that is holding you back?
Would you like to learn more about how occupational therapy can help you eliminate your pain and improve performance?
If so, occupational therapy can help you reclaim your life. Contact Therapy Solutions today to request an appointment!
Have you heard of hand therapy?
There are different specialties to occupational therapy, and hand therapy is one of them. Hand therapy focuses on treating orthopedic upper-extremity issues to optimize the functional use of the arm and hand.
Hand therapy is used to treat several conditions surrounding the upper extremities, including but not limited to:
- Amputations
- Lacerations
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Sprains/strains
In general, hand therapy focuses on the biomechanical issues of upper-extremity conditions. It’s a patient-centered approach that addresses the needs of the patient, such as being able to lift objects, open a jar, or button a shirt.
There are several interventions that a hand therapist can make, in order to help you comfortably perform daily functions.
This may include any combination of therapeutic exercises, mirror therapy, orthosis design, pain management, manual therapy, taping, ergonomics, or compression therapy.
There are several activities that a hand therapist may have you perform in order to strengthen your upper extremity after an injury, such as working with putty, using a gripper, or using dumbbells.
There are several benefits to hand therapy, including:
- Conditioning prior to returning to work
- Sensory re-education after nerve injury
- Desensitization following nerve injury or trauma
- Customized splint fabrication for prevention or correction of injury
- Preventative, non-operative or conservative treatment
- Training in the performance of daily life skills through adapted methods and equipment
- Design and implementation of home exercise programs to increase motion, dexterity, and/or strength
- Management of acute or chronic pain
Physical therapy vs. occupational therapy – what’s the difference?
While occupational therapy is similar to physical, occupational, and speech therapy, there are a few distinct differences. Physical therapy focuses on the patient’s ability to perform certain movements overall, while occupational therapy focuses on the patient’s ability to perform certain movements during daily activities.
For example, a physical therapist will work with a stroke patient to build back muscle strength, while an occupational therapist will work with a stroke patient to practice basic skills like walking, eating, bathing, and dressing.
Physical therapy and occupational therapy tend to overlap, as a patient may begin treatments with a physical therapist and then move on to working with an occupational therapist once their pain is relieved and they have regained enough strength/physical function.
So, how will I benefit from occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is more than just addressing an injury. At Therapy Solutions, our Dickinson, Killdeer, and Richardton, ND occupational therapists focus on the functional needs of each patient by implementing certain exercises and activities that promote physical and psychological well-being.
Occupational therapy is a form of treatment that is deeply rooted in science and supported by numerous medical journals.
Our Dickinson, Killdeer, and Richardton, ND occupational therapists work hard to help people recover from injuries and regain functional skills. occupational therapy can benefit people of all ages, from helping children with disabilities participate in school and social arenas to helping seniors improve their physical and cognitive health.
At Therapy Solutions, our occupational therapy plans include:
- An evaluation of outcomes to determine if goals were met and to make changes to the plan if needed.
- Customized intervention activities to improve daily tasks and activities for the patient.
- An individual evaluation to determine patient goals.
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, occupational therapy 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.
Find relief and get back to your normal life today!
You feel better emotionally when you can comfortably engage in your hobbies and everyday activities.
Therapy Solutions is ready to get you started on the path toward living a more enjoyable, comfortable and functional life!
