Always Ready. Always Safe. Learn More About Our Health and Safety Protocols.corona close
Skip to main content

OT Takeover

Young girl practicing balance with adult.

We interrupt your regularly scheduled PT Update to introduce you to the world of Occupational Therapy (OT).

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a health and rehabilitation service designed to help people of all ages learn or regain the ability to do everyday activities through holistic and customized treatment methods.  From children with disabilities to older adults recovering from a stroke or ailment, occupational therapists provide a service that is vitally important, specialized and unparalleled in the medical community.  Occupational therapy practitioners function with one main goal in mind, helping all people live life to the fullest by helping them promote health and prevent or live better with illness, injury or disability.

What health conditions benefit from OT?

  • Work-related injuries including lower back problems or repetitive stress injuries
  • Limitations following a stroke or heart attack
  • Chronic conditions such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis
  • Birth injuries, learning problems or developmental disabilities
  • Mental health or behavioral problems including Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress
  • Problems with substance abuse or eating disorders
  • Burns, spinal cord injuries or amputations
  • Broken bones or other injuries from falls, sports injuries or accidents
  • Vision or cognitive problems that threaten the ability to drive

What does an occupational therapist do for patients?

Those with a disability or ailment face some threat to their performance of daily tasks and occupational roles.  Occupational therapists strive to reach the goals of each patient depending on the demands of their everyday life.  OT programs consider all activities the patient must perform, from dressing and personal hygiene to home management and work responsibilities.  Based on the patient’s needs, an occupational therapist will develop a customized program that could include:

  • Recommendations for equipment for the home that can aid a person in completing tasks, such as dressing, bathing, preparing meals and driving.
  • Fabrication of a customized splint to improve hand function
  • Evaluation of the home/job for safety hazards and adaptation of the home by removing hazards that could cause further injury
  • Providing training that improves the ability to complete daily tasks.
  • Building a person’s physical endurance and strength.
  • Helping a person compensate for vision and memory loss.
  • Providing activities that rebuild self-confidence and self-esteem.
  • Guidance to family members and caregivers

For more information concerning occupational therapy, please call the Phoenix location offering occupational therapy nearest you.