You Can Live More Comfortably With The Help of An Occupational Therapist
Are you looking for relief for a condition that is holding you back? Do you have an injury or medical condition that is causing you pain, limiting your daily activities, and preventing you from enjoying the things you love? Would you like to learn more about how occupational therapy can help you eliminate your pain and improve performance?
If you’re nodding your head “yes” to all of these questions, occupational therapy may be a good fit for you.
Occupational therapy is a great way to learn how to perform daily tasks with ease, regardless of what condition or injury you have that is holding you back.
Our occupational therapists at MD Neuro-Rehab & Wellness Center in Pikesville can help you reclaim your life. Contact MD Neuro-Rehab & Wellness Center today to request an appointment!
How occupational therapy can help you
Occupational therapy is a form of treatment that is firmly rooted in medicine and validated by many medical journals, and it is about much more than just treating minor accidents and injuries.
Individuals of all ages can benefit from occupational therapy plans, which can range from aiding children with disabilities in educational and social environments to assisting adults in maintaining their physical and cognitive fitness.
Our Pikesville occupational therapists at MD Neuro-Rehab & Wellness Center work hard to help people recover from injuries and regain functional skills. They concentrate on the practical needs of each patient by incorporating exercises and practices that facilitate physical and psychological well-being.
At MD Neuro-Rehab & Wellness Center, our occupational therapy plans include:
- An evaluation of outcomes to determine if goals were met and to make changes to the plan if needed.
- An individual evaluation to determine patient goals.
- Customized intervention activities to improve daily tasks and activities for the patient.
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an individual’s physical well-being, Occupational Therapy practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that may hinder an individual’s functioning in different ways.
For example, occupational therapy for a young patient may include using a special tool to make cupcakes at home.
If an adaptation to a utensil needs to be fashioned, an occupational therapist will do it. This unique approach makes occupational therapy a vital part of health care.
Hand therapy
There are different specialties to occupational therapy, and hand therapy is one of them!
Hand rehabilitation works on addressing orthopedic upper-extremity conditions in order to improve the arm and hand’s practical use. It is a patient-centered solution that meets the patient’s desires, such as the need to move items, open jars, or button a coat.
A hand therapist may administer a variety of treatments to help you perform everyday tasks more safely.
This may include any combination of therapeutic exercises, mirror therapy, orthosis design, pain management, manual therapy, taping, ergonomics, or compression therapy.
Hand therapy is used to treat several conditions surrounding the upper extremities, including but not limited to:
- Amputations
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Lacerations
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Sprains/strains
- Fractures
There are several activities that a hand therapist may have you perform to strengthen your upper extremity after an injury, such as working with putty, using a gripper, or using dumbbells.
There are several benefits to hand therapy, including:
- Desensitization following nerve injury or trauma
- Sensory re-education after nerve injury
- Management of acute or chronic pain
- Design and implementation of home exercise programs to increase motion, dexterity, and/or strength
- Customized splint fabrication for prevention or correction of injury
- Preventative, non-operative, or conservative treatment
- Training in the performance of daily life skills through adapted methods and equipment
- Conditioning before returning to work
The difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy
Although occupational therapy and physical therapy are identical, there are a few key differences between these practices and what they do to help patients.
Physical therapy focuses on the patient’s general ability to perform specific movements, while occupational therapy focuses on the patient’s ability to perform specific movements during everyday activities.
A physical therapist, for example, will work with a stroke patient to strengthen back muscles, and an occupational therapist will work with a stroke patient to learn practical skills such as walking, feeding, bathing, and dressing.
Physical therapy and occupational therapy are often intertwined, as a patient can continue treatment with a physical therapist and then switch to an occupational therapist until their pain has been reduced and they have regained more strength/physical function.
Ask your therapist if occupational therapy is right for you, and if adding it to your physical therapy plan could be beneficial!
Seeking the help of a skilled OT? We’ve got you covered.
If you’re looking for an occupational therapist in Pikesville, your search ends here. You’ll feel better emotionally, physically, and mentally when you can comfortably engage in your hobbies and everyday activities, and occupational therapists at MD Neuro-Rehab & Wellness Center can make this dream a reality for you.
Occupational therapy has several benefits, but the only way you’ll find this out for yourself is if you call us at (443) 360-5527 to make an appointment!
MD Neuro-Rehab & Wellness Center is ready to get you started on the path toward living a more enjoyable, comfortable, and functional life!