Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession focused on helping people of all ages achieve independence in their daily lives. Occupational therapists work with individuals with physical, cognitive, developmental, or emotional disabilities to help them engage in meaningful activities or occupations. These occupations could be anything from self-care tasks like bathing and dressing to work-related activities, leisure pursuits, or social interactions. 

The primary goal of occupational therapy is to help patients gain independence in activities of daily living, teaching skills to live independently and perform everyday tasks more efficiently and with less pain.  Occupational therapists evaluate a person’s abilities, environment, and goals to create customized intervention plans. These plans may include activities to improve strength, coordination, and mobility, as well as adaptive strategies or environmental modifications to make tasks easier to perform.

Only available in Shelby Township

Common conditions OT can help

Occupational therapy can be beneficial for people with a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:

• Neurological conditions (such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or multiple sclerosis)
• Aging-related conditions (such as arthritis or dementia)
• Post-operative (most common after hand, wrist, or elbow surgeries)
• Functional improvement (anyone needing assistance bathing, dressing, etc.)

How OT and PT work together

Occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) are both healthcare professions that focus on improving an individual’s quality of life and functional ability, but they have distinct roles and areas of expertise. While there is some overlap in the goals they address, they often work together collaboratively to provide comprehensive care for their clients. Here’s how they can complement each other:

Complementary Goals

While physical therapy primarily focuses on improving movement, mobility, and physical function, occupational therapy focuses on helping individuals perform activities of daily living and participate in meaningful occupations. By addressing these complementary aspects, OT and PT can work together to address a broader range of functional goals.

Collaborative Assessment

When a client has complex needs, both OTs and PTs may conduct assessments to evaluate different aspects of their functioning. Physical therapists may assess strength, range of motion, balance, and mobility, while occupational therapists may assess activities of daily living, fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and environmental factors. By sharing assessment findings, they can develop a more holistic understanding of the client’s needs.

Coordinated Treatment Planning

Based on the assessment findings, OTs and PTs collaborate to develop individualized treatment plans that address the client’s specific goals and functional limitations. These plans may include exercises and interventions designed to improve physical function, mobility, strength, coordination, and endurance, as well as strategies to enhance independence in daily activities and optimize participation in meaningful occupations.

Sequential Interventions

In some cases, clients may require sequential or concurrent interventions from both OT and PT. For example, a client recovering from a stroke may initially receive physical therapy to improve mobility and strength, followed by occupational therapy to work on activities of daily living and cognitive skills needed for independent living.

Environmental Modifications

Occupational therapists often assess the client’s home, work, or school environment to identify barriers to participation and recommend modifications or assistive devices to promote independence and safety. Physical therapists may also contribute to environmental assessments, particularly regarding accessibility and safety concerns related to mobility and movement within the environment.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

In addition to collaborating with each other, OTs and PTs often work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, speech therapists, social workers, and rehabilitation engineers, to provide comprehensive care and address their patients’ various needs.

Goals of OT programs

Whether you’re seen for OT or PT, your customized treatment program will be tailored around you, your condition, and goals. The main goals of our OT program are to:

• Promote independence
• Enhance functional abilities
• Facilitate return to work or school
• Improve the quality of life
• Support developmental growth

Overall, the collaboration between occupational therapy and physical therapy allows for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to rehabilitation and functional improvement, ultimately enhancing the client’s overall well-being and independence. If you or someone you love needs occupational therapy, we proudly offer it at one of our facilities. Schedule a free assessment today!