Occupational Therapy |
Physiotherapy% in Clifton and Fair Lawn for Occupational TherapyWelcome to Holsman Physical Therapy and Wellness P.C.’s guide to Occupational Therapy.
● what is Occupational Therapy What is Occupational Therapy?What is Occupational Therapy? Occupational Therapy is a health profession in which the therapist’s focus is on the occupational needs of the patient. The term ‘occupation’ includes a variety of tasks in the life of a patient, including all those physical and mental jobs that the patient needs to do in order to look after themselves (self-care), enjoy life (leisure), work, and to continue all the activities they are normally involved in in their personal life and their community. OTs help their patients to live independently and help them improve their wellbeing and the quality of their life. An OT actively collaborates with their patient to define and achieve occupational performance goals that are meaningful to the patient themselves. The OT then evaluates the environments in which their patient works, plays and lives in order to minimize barriers and maximize their patient’s ability to participate. Once the goals that need to be achieved are agreed upon, the OT uses everyday activities as the foundation for therapeutic interventions. The OT will provide advice and any aids that may be needed to allow the patient to independently move back to managing each ‘occupation’ in their life. An OT may be involved in the care of an elderly patient who has fallen, badly broken her wrist, and required a hospital stay for surgery. Prior to the fall, the patient was living at home on her own without any outside help, and would like to return to doing the same but is worried about cooking for herself after the break to her dominant arm.
If the OT feels that the patient cannot safely and independently manage the needed tasks due to her healing arm or any other reasons, the OT will engage with other professionals (i.e.: homecare help, physiotherapists, social work) to ensure the patient is safe and well taken care of once they are discharged from the hospital. Where Do Occupational Therapists Work?Where Do Occupational Therapists Work? OTs can be commonly found working in places such as hospitals, private clinics, schools or going directly to patient’s homes, among other places. In addition, OTs may specialize their practice and focus on working with a specific age, group or disability. For example, they may work specifically with children, patients with neurological disorders, patients with mental illnesses, or with individuals who have orthopaedic issues such as a hip or knee replacement. What is the Difference between an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist?What is the Difference between an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist? In many cases OT’s work closely with Physical Therapists (PT) but the two professions are not the same. Physical Therapists:PTs are musculoskeletal and movement specialists and also specialize in advice regarding injury or re-injury prevention. PTs address a patient’s physical deficits such as their strength, range of motion, balance, mobility, endurance, proprioception (knowing where your body or limbs are in space) and pain issues. Physical Therapy attempts to maximize physical function in order for a patient to have the appropriate physical ability (strength, range of motion, balance, and joint control) to return to doing their everyday tasks including work and recreation activities. PTs may need to use hands-on therapy in order to accomplish this or work with patients by doing specific exercises that improve these physical abilities. Occupational Therapists:OTs, as described above, work more closely with both evaluating and improving a patient’s current physical and mental abilities in order for the patient to get back to the meaningful activities of their daily life such as eating, washing, toileting, writing, sleeping, getting in and out of a car, mental activities, and mobility etc. An OT may need to provide special equipment that patients use in order to be able to carry out their daily tasks due to their injury or illness. Commonalities and Distinctions:Sometimes it is difficult to draw a line in the sand distinctly between where OT or PT ends and the other begins. There are several areas of recovery that both an OT or a PT can address, and often have to address if the other profession is not available in an individual circumstance, as in hand therapy, for example. That being said, however, the two professions are both highly trained in their specific areas; there are certain aspects of rehabilitation that OTs are experts in and also specific aspects of rehabilitation that PTs are experts in. Both professions are familiar with working with one another and are also experts in knowing when to pass a particular aspect of patient care on to their rehabilitative counterpart. As often as possible OTs and PTs will both work collaboratively on a team in order to assist patients. What Should I Expect When Visiting An Occupational TherapistWhat Should I Expect When Visiting An Occupational Therapist? When working with an OT, you will begin by participating in an initial assessment. He or she will assess your abilities and lifestyle that you had prior to your injury, surgery or illness, as well as your expectations of your lifestyle following.
What Is The Role Of An Occupational Therapist in Orthopaedic Injuries?What Is The Role Of An Occupational Therapist in Orthopaedic Injuries? The role of an OT in orthopedics is to assist the patient to manage and overcome the limitations they experience due to their current orthopaedic condition or injury so that they can participate in their daily tasks. For example, if you have had a knee replacement surgery you will likely require a shower bench and/or a bathtub handle in order to shower independently since it could be unsafe for you to get down into your tub after the surgery, or even to stand in your shower for the length of time needed. The OT will provide access to the bench and handle and will teach you how to properly use them. In some cases of serious injury or illness or when the patient is elderly or has decreased mental capacity the OT may need to consult with the family of the patient, the doctor or specialist in charge of the treatment as well as other treating therapists, such as PTs or speech pathologists to develop a program that will best suit the expectations of all those involved in the patient’s recovery.
ConclusionIn short, an OT evaluates the relationship between the patient, their environment and the occupation at hand and strives to facilitate improved function, satisfaction and independence. |