Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is the application of skilled treatment in order to help individuals achieve independence in their lives. Occupational therapy gives people the skills necessary to lead satisfying lifestyles. Services include:

• Treatment programs customized to help improve abilities to facilitate activities of daily living.
• Home and job environment evaluations and recommendations for adaptation needs.
• Performance skills assessment and treatments.
• Adaptive equipment recommendation and training to replace loss of function.
• Family member and attendant instruction in safe and effective means of caring for individuals.

Occupational therapists are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development. Emphasis is placed on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury in this regards.

At our Therapy Specialists center the occupational therapists specialize in Hand Therapy. Treatment is limited to disease and injury of the upper extremity which may include, but is not limited to:

• Fractures or dysfunction of the hand, wrist, arm, elbow and shoulder
• Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
• Dupuytren's Disease
• Congenital deformities
• Tendon injuries
• Soft injury of hand, wrist and forearm
• Overuse (cumulative trauma) disorders such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tennis Elbow
• Reconstruction secondary to spinal cord injuries and cerebral vascular accidents

The main objectives of Hand Therapy are:

• Evaluate strength, endurance, coordination and range of motion.
• Increase functional use of the upper extremity within the limits of the patient's disability.
• Decrease pain.
• Provide fabricated dynamic and static splinting.

The occupational therapist works closely with physicians, nursing services, rehab counselors and other practitioners to provide the best possible program for the patient. Occupational therapy treatment is administered either by referral of a physician for insurance purposes, or by direct access by the patient.

Treatment may include massage, exercise, functional activities, splinting and complementary modalities using heat, ice, sound and electricity. Adaptive equipment to increase the patient's ability to perform activities of daily living and instruction in their use may also be provided.