What is Occupational Therapy (OT) and what does an occupational therapist do?

OT is a developmental intervention that seeks to enhance the individual’s ability to successfully function in his/her community. The OT starts with an evaluation of the child’s capabilities which influence performance of tasks necessary to function in his/her natural environment(s).

The OT then assesses the child’s specific strengths and weaknesses with respect to self–care, play/leisure skills, academic abilities and sensory–motor capabilities. When therapeutic intervention is recommended, it is employed to enhance the child’s capabilities, and includes aspects such as accommodations in positioning, adaptive equipment, modification of the environment, and functional enhancement of sensory perception, motor responses, and functional mobility and manipulation to accomplish the daily tasks (“Occupations”) of living.

What is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy?

Physical therapy is primarily concerned with large muscle groups, gross motor function and safety during transfers and ambulation, pain control and joint function. Occupational therapy is concerned with functional activities, the ability of the patient to accomplish these activities, hand function and post–surgical care of the hand.

Do occupational therapists assist patients in finding a job?

Occupational therapists do not perform the tasks of vocational rehabilitation counselors. However, occupational therapists may be involved in setting up exercise programs or practice sessions that assist patients in regaining the appropriate physical skills needed to return to the work place.

What do the Occupational Therapy services provide?

Practitioners work with any age group and with any illness/injury requiring OT services, among these are:
Mental Health Disorders: Autism, Depression, Personality or Emotionally Disturbed, Organic Disorders (Schizophrenia), Substance Abuse.

Cognition & Psychomotor Disorders: Alzheimers’s Disease, Dementia & Memory Disorders, Perceptual & Visual Disorders, Organic Brain Syndrome.
Developmental & Sensory Disorders: Attention Deficit Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Learning Disorders, Mental Retardation, Spina Bifida, Sensory Deprivation & Sensory Integrative Disorders.
Nervous System Disorders: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, CVA (Stroke), Coma, Epilepsy, Guillain–Barre’ Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Post–Polio Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.
Musculoskeletal Disorders: Arthritis, Myasthenia Gravis, Osteoporosis, Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis.
Systemic Disorders: Kidney Disease, Diabetes.
Skin Disorders & Other Injuries: Amputation, Back Injuries, Burns, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cumulative Stress Disorders, Fractures, Hand Injuries, Joint Replacement.

What are the different modalities used in Occupational Therapy?

Paraffin: A hot wax treatment to heat tissues, alleviate pain and stiffness, and promote hand joint flexibility.
Hot Packs: Gel filled fabric packs soaked in hot water to create moist heat. These are used for muscle relaxation and for pain relief by heating superficial tissues.
Cold Packs: Ice filled or gel filled packs used for reduction of inflammation, control of reoccurring inflammation, and pain relief.
Electrical Stimulation: Safe electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contractions, reduces swelling, reduce areas of muscle tightness, and relieve pain.
Whirlpool: Warm or cool water with air jets to stimulate circulation, heat superficial tissues, and necrotic tissue of burns or post–surgical incisions.

What are the different procedures used in Occupational Therapy?

Splinting: Fabrication of various splints for positioning to rest, or prevent further deformity of, hand and wrist joints, or to promote movement and increased joint range of motion.
Functional Activities: Tasks and movements related to activities of daily living at work and home to increase the range of motion, strength, endurance, comfort and functional abilities.
Therapeutic Exercise: Postural and upper body exercises to increase range of motion, flexibility, strength and endurance. Update home exercises on a regular basis.
Neuromuscular Re–education: Improve function by using principles from nerve and muscle physiology. Improve muscle coordination with specific types of exercises and functional movements.
Massage: Manual massage techniques to stretch and influence soft tissue, to increase circulation, and to relieve pain.
Soft Tissue/Joint Mobilization: Very specific stretching and movement techniques at various soft tissues and joints to facilitate elongation and joint range of motion.
Ultrasound: High frequency sound waves at various intensities for heating deep tissues, to increase circulation and relieve pain.
Phonophoresis: Combination of ultrasound and anti–inflammatory medication through the skin as prescribed by the doctor.
Ionophoresis: Electrical impulses to introduce anti–inflammatory medication through the skin into an inflamed area as prescribed by a doctor.