Announcing a New Service: Occupational Therapy!

We’re excited to announce that First Choice Physical Therapy is now offering Occupational Therapy services! This addition expands our commitment to providing comprehensive care to help you live a more independent and fulfilling life. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or need help with daily activities, our experienced team is here to support you every step of the way.

Today, we want to explore occupational therapy in more depth, looking at what it is, how it differs from physical therapy, and how this new service will allow us to provide more comprehensive care to our patients.

Occupational Therapy (OT) at a Glance

What is Occupational Therapy?

OT focuses on helping individuals gain or regain the skills needed for daily life, whether at work, school, home, or leisure. It frequently addresses fine motor skills, the delicate movements you perform with your hands and fingers.

What Are Some of the Conditions OT Can Help With?

• Neurological conditions, such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease
• Hand and upper extremity injuries, including fractures and tendon injuries
• Motor vehicle injuries
• Chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia or arthritis (especially hand arthritis)

What Are Some Benefits of OT?

• Enhanced function and reduced pain
• Increased independence and improved quality of life
• Boosted confidence in your ability to perform day-to-day tasks
• A better ability to manage stress and frustration related to your injury or condition

How Does Occupational Therapy Differ from Physical Therapy?

Occupational therapy and physical therapy might seem very similar at first glance. Both can help you manage musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitate after an injury, and both focus on improving your overall quality of life. However, they focus on different aspects of health and function.

• Physical therapy primarily addresses physical function, helping patients recover mobility, strength, and endurance.
• Occupational therapy concentrates on life skills, including the physical, cognitive, and emotional aspects of performing daily activities. 

In short, physical therapy focuses on treating specific body parts or movement functions, whereas occupational therapy emphasizes how those functions impact overall daily living and self-care. 

Fortunately, OT and PT work very well together, and combining the two will allow us to create a well-rounded rehabilitation program. For example, your PT will work with you to build strength and mobility, while your OT will help apply these improvements to your day-to-day routine.

This combination provides a more comprehensive approach to recovery, helping you feel better and function more effectively–no matter what you want to do.

Occupational Therapy Treatment Techniques

Pain Management 

• OTs can help you manage pain and discomfort through various techniques, including therapeutic exercises, ergonomic advice, customized hand splints, and more. We tailor these techniques to minimize muscle and joint strain to make your daily tasks more manageable.

Fine Motor Skill Training

• OTs frequently focus on improving your fine motor skills–those small, delicate movements we often take for granted. Using hand-strengthening exercises, coordination tasks, and tools like therapy putty, we can improve hand-finger strength in people with arthritis, stroke, or hand injuries.

Home Environment Modifications

• OT can help you adapt your living space to improve safety and accessibility and reduce fall risk. We’ll suggest modifications based on your specific needs. Examples include installing grab bars, clearing out tripping hazards, or reorganizing frequently used items so they’re in easy reach.

Energy Conservation Techniques

• If your condition causes you to experience persistent fatigue (common in conditions like fibromyalgia), we’ll help you develop techniques to manage it throughout the day. Strategies like pacing out your activities, planning rest breaks, and prioritizing essential tasks allow you to accomplish what you need to do without becoming exhausted.

Assistive Device Training

• OT can help you effectively use tools like adaptive utensils, dressing aids, and walkers, enabling greater independence and mobility.

Cognitive Rehabilitation

• Cognitive rehab focuses on improving memory, attention, and decision-making abilities in people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries or neurological conditions like a stroke.

Sources: https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot