Occupational therapy (OT) is one of the most misunderstood types of physical therapy. It is much more than restoring “work-related” activities. OT focuses on improving basic, daily activities such as eating, drinking, dressing, bathing, reading, and writing.
Restoring Daily Living Activities
OrthoArkansas offers OT at its Midtown Little Rock, North Little Rock, and West Little Rock locations. People of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems can benefit from OT. Our therapists help patients develop, recover, improve, and maintain the skills required for daily living and working.
The most basic difference between physical therapy (PT) and OT is that a PT focuses on improving the patient’s ability to move their body, whereas OT focuses on improving the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living. Occupational therapists typically specialize in conditions affecting the upper extremity (elbow, forearm, wrist, hand) and physical therapists treat anything spine-related and other body parts including the foot, ankle, knee, and hip. Both professions treat the shoulder.
The Role of Occupational Therapy
OT can treat impairments of the upper extremity (i.e., shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand). The goal of occupational therapy in upper extremity rehabilitation is to return the patient to meaningful participation in his or her daily activities.
Some examples of conditions and injuries of the upper extremity (i.e., hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder girdle, rotator cuff, multiple joints) that are treated by OT practitioners include:
· Amputations
· Arthritis and rheumatic diseases
· Congenital anomalies
· Crush injuries or trauma
· Cumulative trauma
· Dislocations and subluxations
· Fractures
· Ligament injury and instability
· Muscle strains, tears, and avulsions
· Nerve injuries and conditions (neuropathies, palsies, nerve repair)
· Pain (complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia)
· Replantation and revascularization
· Tendon injuries and conditions (lacerations, tendonitis, ruptures)
· Thermal and electrical injuries
· Wounds and scars
Benefits of Occupational Therapy
Upper extremity disability can result in disruption of many ̶ if not all ̶ activities of daily living. Our OT professionals understand the impact of upper extremity dysfunction on key daily activities and roles. Because of the holistic, client-centered approach of OT, patients are met at their current level of function. The occupational therapist uses activity analysis to address each patient’s priorities, with activity modifications and compensatory techniques to help the patient perform at his or her greatest level of independence from the start, and at every step of the rehabilitation process.
Occupational Therapy Assessments and Evaluations
OT assessments and evaluations reflect a client-centered, comprehensive approach. This approach includes not only musculoskeletal (e.g., muscle strength, range of motion); sensory; cognitive or perceptual (if indicated); and vascular, skin, or connective tissue assessment, but also relevant medical, vocational, and/or avocational history. OrthoArkansas’ Occupational therapists evaluate each patient and design rehabilitation so that the patient can live safely at home and/or return to work. They work in tandem with surgeons or treating physicians to ensure every patient has the best plan of treatment for a successful outcome.
