You may have heard of physical therapy, but what is occupational therapy? Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on helping individuals regain their ability to perform everyday activities, such as getting dressed, shopping for groceries, or caring for a family member. Occupational therapists guide and support their patients in developing skills to live independently and safely accomplish daily routines.
Over 140,000 occupational therapists in the United States provide millions of therapy sessions each year. This article discusses what occupational therapists treat and what to expect at an OT appointment. We’ll also review the benefits of receiving OT and answer some frequently asked questions. Keep reading to learn how OT can help you or your loved one.
What do Occupational Therapists treat?
Occupational therapists treat individuals who are experiencing difficulty with their daily routine due to injury, trauma, health conditions, or chronic illness. They use activities of daily living (occupations) to enhance health and well-being and improve participation in your routine tasks. This is not an exhaustive list of conditions that OT can treat—OT can be helpful whenever there are difficulties with daily tasks.
A child may need pediatric OT, which is designed to help younger patients. The child and their caregiver may need to address developmental conditions, congenital defects, or behavioral concerns. A pediatric occupational therapist can help facilitate motor skills, achieve educational goals, and reach developmental milestones to improve the child’s quality of life.
An adult may benefit from occupational therapy following an injury or trauma, like a fracture or stroke. A patient may also need occupational therapy after surgery, like a joint replacement or amputation. Occupational therapy can modify a patient’s environment or provide strategies to improve independence with daily activities.
Individuals with chronic conditions may also need occupational therapy. These conditions can include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy. Occupational therapy can offer ongoing support to optimize daily function while maintaining a safe, supportive environment.
Occupational therapy can also be helpful for elderly individuals seeking to improve their independence with daily activities. OT can improve physical and mental function and provide adaptive equipment recommendations while ensuring safety and accessibility.
What does an OT Appointment Consist Of?
On your initial visit, your occupational therapist will conduct an in-depth evaluation called an occupational profile. This will help determine what values and activities are important to you and set your goals for therapy. After reviewing your medical history, they will observe you performing daily tasks to assess your unique requirements. They may also evaluate your home, school, or workplace to recommend potential modifications to improve safety and accessibility.
After the evaluation, your therapist will decide which interventions will help you achieve your goals. Interventions may include education, tools, resources, and other environmental changes to improve function and quality of life. Your occupational therapist may recommend adaptive equipment, such as a shower chair or raised toilet seat, to make daily life easier and safer. They may also prescribe exercises to strengthen your muscles and improve coordination or teach you techniques to improve memory, concentration, or executive functioning. Your occupational therapist will develop these interventions depending on your unique needs.
Subsequent sessions may include an outcomes evaluation to ensure your therapy goals are being met. Assessing how you respond to the prescribed interventions is an ongoing process. If some interventions are not working well, your occupational therapist can help you modify them. They will also monitor your mental and emotional health as you adapt to your interventions.
The Benefits of Occupational Therapy
There are many occupational therapy benefits that go beyond simply improving function. OT can promote independence in daily activities such as caring for yourself and your family, working, attending school, and participating in leisure activities. Strengthening physical and mental abilities with occupational therapy can increase safe participation in meaningful activities and enhance one’s quality of life. Occupational therapists can make an enormous difference in a patient’s life by improving their ability to navigate their daily environment safely and effectively.
FAQ’s
What questions should I ask an Occupational Therapist?
You can ask your occupational therapist questions about their experience with cases similar to yours and how they think they can help you achieve your goals. If you are attending the session as a caregiver, you can ask questions about how you can participate in treatments at the clinic and how you can facilitate progress at home. Be honest with your therapist and ask for clarification if needed. Your therapist is there to help you!
What is an example of Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy treats a wide variety of cases, but here are a few examples where occupational therapy would be helpful:
- Teaching adapted techniques and recommending assistive equipment to an individual having difficulty dressing after a stroke.
- Developing fine motor skills with a child having difficulty holding a pencil.
- Evaluating and modifying a home environment for an elderly individual at risk of falling.
- Fitting a splint for an individual after hand surgery.
What is the difference between occupational therapy (OT) vs. physical therapy (PT)?
Occupational and physical therapy are both forms of rehabilitation therapy. However, their approach and end goals are different. OT focuses on enhancing the performance of daily activities, while PT is primarily concerned with improving the body’s ability to move. An occupational therapist may adapt an environment, activity, or skill to optimize an individual’s participation and independence. A physical therapist will use exercise, hands-on techniques, and patient education to optimize mobility and quality of life.
Occupational Therapy Near You
Occupational therapy can help you achieve your goals and bring enjoyment back to your daily routine. Occupational therapists treat a wide variety of patients with regaining function due to injury, trauma, health conditions, or chronic illness. After a thorough evaluation, they can recommend adaptive equipment, cognitive strategies, patient and caregiver education, and much more! Attaining your goals will take some time, but work with your therapist and be honest about which interventions are helping. They will aid you in finding techniques to boost your independence and participation in meaningful activities safely.
Discover how occupational therapy can help you or your loved ones reclaim independence and achieve everyday goals. Use our interactive map tool to find an occupational therapist in your area and start your journey to living life to the fullest.
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