Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapist with patient walking

Occupational Therapy (OT) is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. There is a difference between physical and occupational therapy. Physical therapy focuses on joint range of motion, gross motor functioning, strength and pain, while occupational therapy focuses on fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, visual-perceptual skills and sensory-processing.

Occupational therapy assists people in developing skills necessary for independent and satisfying lives and restoration of functional skills after illness, injury or disease. OT treatments are designed to improve one's ability to perform daily activities. They may involve home and job site adaptive recommendations, performance and skills assessments and treatments, adaptive equipment recommendations, guidance to family members and caregivers, manual therapy and many other services. 

Occupational therapists help people participate in the things they want or need to do through the use of activities. This could mean helping injured individuals recover their skills, or helping older adults who are experiencing cognitive or physical changes. Our occupational therapists have many years of experience in hand therapy – both surgical and non-surgical cases.

Commonly Treated Conditions

Depending on your location, conditions treaded may include:

Adult Therapy

  • Bowel, bladder, and sexual function issues
  • Difficulty with self-care skills
  • Difficulty with home management or community engagement skills
  • Difficulty with fine motor skills (pinching, manipulating)
  • Difficulty with coordination skills
  • Common muscle, bone, or joint injuries of the upper extremity
  • Neurological disorders (stroke, concussion, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor)
  • Orthopedic therapy for bone and joint injuries or disabilities post-surgery
  • Weakness or debilitation

Pediatric Therapy

Our pediatric therapists work with children who have a wide variety of needs. 

Common Treatment Options

Depending on your location, treatment options may include: 

Adult Therapy

  • Cognitive training
  • Ergonomics
  • Fine and gross motor strengthening, stretching, and endurance activities
  • Manual therapy
  • Modalities such as e-stim, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, ultrasound, laser therapy, cold and heat agents
  • Neuromuscular re-education
  • Posture and body mechanic education and training
  • Self-care skills training
  • Splinting
  • Visual-perceptual training

Pediatric Therapy

Our pediatric therapists work with children who have a wide variety of needs. 

What to Expect

What to Wear
We recommend loose, comfortable clothing and supportive shoes. Depending on the area being treated, shorts or a tank top may be beneficial. It would be less appropriate to wear clothing or shoes that can be restrictive such as jeans, heels, flip-flops, etc.
Q & A
You and your therapist will sit down and discuss your current conditions together. This will include questions regarding your diagnosis such as what happened and when, what increases/ decreases your symptoms and what goals you have.
Test and Measures
Your therapist will gather various measurements. Specifically your therapist will look at your motion, flexibility, strength and perform special tests indicated for your diagnosis. These results will help your therapist assess your condition and determine your treatment plan.
Education and Scheduling
After collect information, your therapist will discuss their findings and help you understand "why" something is happening. The treatment plan moving forward, goals and what to expect from your therapy sessions will be discussed. Based on the treatment plan the therapist will help determine a schedule frequency that works with and for you.
Home Exercises
Your therapist will likely give you a few exercises on day one. This is important to jump start the treatment plan. Your compliance and participation with these at home exercises will help you reach your therapy goals.