What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy focuses on promoting independence with day-to-day tasks by assisting with developing new skills and making adaptations and/or modifications needed to regain functional independence. Enrolling can be useful if you have limitations caused by an injury, illness, or disability.
Occupational therapy can make it easier for you to:
- Focus on meaningful tasks and occupations.
- Perform daily skills safely, such as tying your shoes, cooking meals or driving.
- To learn how to use adaptive equipment to maintain or rebuild your independence.
- Improves your fine motor and coordination.
What kind of conditions does occupational therapy treat?
Occupational therapy can treat a diverse spectrum of conditions that make it difficult for you to be actively engaged in your everyday lifestyle. Occupational therapy can treat patients with conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Cerebral palsy
- Autism
- Down syndrome
- Fractures
- Work injuries
- Chronic pain
- Lymphedema
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s
What is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy?
Physical therapy and occupational therapy are related in that both types of therapies can help you regain or improve your functional abilities, contributing to your overall quality of life. The biggest difference is that physical therapy places emphasis on physical function whereas occupational therapy focuses on promoting independence with day-to-day tasks.
Is occupational therapy for kids or adults?
Occupational therapy allows people across the lifespan to do the activities they want and need to do. Everyone has occupations, from a toddler whose occupations are playing and learning to develop important skills, to the older adult whose occupations are engaging with family, friends and managing his or her home.
When you or your child enrolls in occupational therapy, you’ll be introduced to occupational therapists (OTs) who will evaluate your situation and, with your input, develop goals that allow you to resume or pursue your valued occupations. An occupational therapy assistant (OTAs) will implement tasks and programs that promote healthy behaviors or address the deficits affecting an individual’s ability to participate in daily activities.
Firelands Regional Medical Center offers occupational therapy on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Learn more at firelands.com/occupationaltherapy
Contributing author: Lydia Rapson, MOT, OTR/L
