What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a health service that aims to improve people’s ability to do what they need to do, want to do, and are expected to do. 

Why choose occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy helps people with disabilities and injured workers gain or regain the ability to do tasks that matter in their lives. These tasks include not only work activities but also daily self-care and recreational pursuits.

​How is occupational therapy done?

To help patients achieve their goals, an occupational therapist first evaluates the patient’s condition, the goal tasks and the environment in which the patient will perform these tasks. Then the therapist develops a treatment plan, which may include technique instruction, training exercises, adaptive equipment and workplace or home accommodations. This plan is intended to give the patient the skills, tools and support to perform the goal activities while living with a disability or recovering from an injury.

When to consider occupational therapy

​Occupational therapy can benefit a variety of individuals with different needs, as described in the following examples:​
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• Improve functioning in children with disabilities: Developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy can bring both physical and mental challenges. Occupational therapy helps affected children get around their limitations, maintain manageable daily routines, and develop new learning skills in order to participate more fully in life, including at school.

• Help injured workers return to work sooner: Whether the injury is due to an accident or repetitive movements, an occupational therapist can address both the physical healing aspect and job ergonomics. This can allow the recovering worker to work without pain or re-injury. The therapist may also design a schedule of graded transition to full-duty work.

• Facilitate daily life after a stroke: Stroke patients often need to remaster tasks including dressing, bathing, writing, driving and cooking. Occupational therapy can teach strategies to regain these skills and make needed adjustments. Occupational therapists often work closely with professionals in physical therapy, speech therapy and social work to better assist the patient’s return to normal life.

• Support independent living for older adults: People with age-related issues such as memory loss and vision loss may still be able to live independently with some help. An occupational therapist can recommend changes to the home’s layout, add tools such as canes and magnifiers, and design modified daily routines to make the patient’s life safer and easier.

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Related topics:  

     >  Physical Therapy

     >  Physical Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy

     >  Computerized Medical Thermography

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