What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy includes a wide range of exercises and therapies such as heat/cold, water, electric current and ultrasound therapies designed to restore the patient to as near normal physical activity as possible. Depending on the patient this may include reduction of pain, swelling, improves in movement, balance, and daily functions.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapy assists people in developing the "skills for the job of living" necessary for independent and satisfying lives. Services typically include
- Customized treatment programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities
- Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations
- Performance skills assessments and treatment
- Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
- Guidance to family members and caregivers
Some of the health conditions that benefit from occupational therapy include
- Work-related injuries including lower back problems or repetitive stress injuries
- Limitations following a stroke or heart attack
- Arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or other serious chronic conditions
- Birth injuries, learning problems, or developmental disabilities
- Mental health or behavioral problems including Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress
- Problems with substance use or eating disorders
- Burns, spinal cord injuries, or amputations
- Broken bones or other injuries from falls, sports injuries, or accidents
- Vision or cognitive problems that threaten the ability to drive
About Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury.
The occupational therapist enters the field with a bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree. The occupational therapy assistant generally earns an associate degree.
Practitioners must complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings, and pass a national examination. Most states also regulate occupational therapy practice.
Case Studies: How Occupational Therapy Works
Every day, children and adults have or develop health conditions that significantly affect their ability to manage their daily lives. With the help of occupational therapy, many of these individuals can achieve or regain a higher level of independence. When skill and strength cannot be developed or improved, occupational therapy offers creative solutions and alternatives for carrying out daily activities.
Alzheimer's Disease
Art Anderson's family was not surprised when the doctor confirmed that his growing memory problems were caused by Alzheimer's disease. The primary concern was the effect that Art's care was having on his wife, who was dealing with health problems of her own. They found help in a day care program for people with Alzheimer's disease. Here Art enjoys social interactions, meals, and leisure activities designed for people with his condition. Art's wife Martha attends weekly group meetings led by an occupational therapist. Martha learns to help her husband to participate as much as possible in the family's routine and how to manage the many tasks that make up her "job of living."
LIVING WITH Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects the brain and typically occurs in a person’s middle late life. It affects both men and women of all races, cultures, and backgrounds. The disease is a slowly progressing form of dementia, and the treat of progression is different for every person. People with Alzheimer’s disease experience memory loss, language problems, and changes in decision-making ability, judgment, and personality. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown.
Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a destruction of nerve cells in the brain that leads to a disconnection of areas of the brain that normally work together. The most common risk factors are old age and a family history of dementia. Early to middle stage symptoms of the disease include repeating statements frequently, often misplacing items, difficulty finding names for familiar objects, getting lost on familiar routes, and personality changes.
Because people with Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty completing routine tasks in their day-to-day lives, occupational therapists can help individuals and their families to adapt tasks and environments to help promote or maximize independence, safety and function.
What can an occupational therapist do?
» Evaluate and recommend changes for a person and his or environment to determine how it can be adapted to accommodate the effects of the disease to improve safety and functional capabilities.
» Develop new routines for a person with dementia that allow the person to continue the routines on his or her own.
» Identify needed home modifications that will promote safety and performance (i.e. lowering counter height allows for seated activities).
» Teach individuals and family members to implement home modifications to support safety and capabilities including ways to create simple and clear passageways.
» Recommend adaptive equipment, such as bathroom safety aids (i.e. grab bars) that help to prevent falls.
» Train family members on strategies to maximize the client’s abilities and find ways to manage caregiver stress.
What can friends and family of a person with Alzheimer’s disease do?
» Seek out a physician’s referral for occupational therapy to help manage the person’s daily activities, including their personal care.
» Limit access to dangerous items, such as flammable liquids, stairwells, and medications.
» Remove control knobs on items that also may be dangerous, such as knobs on the oven and stove.
» Install deadbolt locks on doors and window to prevent a person with Alzheimer’s from wandering outside.
Need more information?
Alzheimer’s disease is a serious illness that should not go untreated. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are trained in helping both adults and children with a broad range of physical, cognitive, developmental, and psychological impairments and conditions. Practitioners also help clients and their caregivers with strategies that can prevent injury and secondary complications, and support health and well being. If you would like to consult an occupational therapist, practitioners are available through most hospitals, medical centers, and community clinics.
Stroke
Helen Richards is a publishing executive, respected for her business skills and admired for her perfect grooming. Three months ago Helen had a stroke. During her recovery she had to relearn many things, but her first goal was to face the world with her hair and make up in place. Helen's occupational therapist understood. Together they found the right combination of tools and techniques so that Helen could handle her personal grooming. They also worked on the other tasks she would need to manage her home and return to work. From make up to management, occupational therapy helped Helen recover the skills she needed.
Stroke may cause temporary or permanent weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. A person who has suffered a stroke may have difficulty caring fo himself or herself, such as in bathing, dressing, and managing a household or a job. Stroke can affect a person’s vision, memory, speech, and muscle strength, as well as his or her ability to drive a car safely and engage in typical leisure activities.
Occupational therapists are trained in helping people lead as independent a life as possible. Occupational therapists can help stroke survivors regain their strength to agai engage in daily activities.
What can an occupational therapist do?
Recommend equipment for the home that can aid a person in completing tasks, such as dressing, bathing preparing meals, and driving.
Fabricate a customized splint to improve hand function.
Evaluate the home for safety hazards and adapt the home by removing hazards that could cause further injury.
Provide training that improves the ability to complete daily tasks.
Build a person’s physical endurance and strength.
Help a person compensate for vision and memory loss.
Provide activities that rebuild self-confidence and self-esteem.
What can family and friends do?
Participate in stroke education classes to become better aware of how a stroke affects a person.
Encourage a stroke survivor to practice tasks to increase strength and endurance and to speed recovery.
Consult an occupational therapist about how to help a person who has suffered a stroke to participate in meaningful daily activities and tasks.
Need more information?
A person who has suffered a stroke may take months or even years to recover depending on how severe the stroke. Both the stroke survivor and his or her family should be involved in the recovery and rehabilitation. If you would like to consult an occupational therapist, practitioners are available through most hospitals, medical centers, and clinics.
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are trained in helping adults and children with a broad range of issues, such as arthritis, traumatic brain injury, and mood disorders. Practitioners also help clients in wellness techniques that may prevent injury and disease.
Developmental Problems
Tommy weighed just three pounds at birth. Doctors warned his parents to be on the lookout for problems that might affect his development. In the hospital nursery, an occupational therapist helped ensure that Tommy was taking in enough nourishment. As a toddler, Tommy attended a Head Start program where occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants provided activities to aid his physical and mental development. For youngsters like Tommy, the "job of living" requires basic skills such as eating, playing, and interacting successfully with family members and friends.
Who should I talk to about receiving Physical/Occupational Therapy?
If you feel you may benefit from therapy, discuss your feelings with your primary care physician. Your physician is your best source for your wellness. We work directly with your physician to evaluate your needs, determine the most appropriate program and maintain contact with your physician on your progress.
How do I start Physical/Occupational Therapy?
A referral is made according to the guidelines of your healthcare insurance. In some cases, the physician will give the referral to you, or fax the referral to our facility. Once you receive your referral, please contact our office to schedule your evaluation.
Who decides what I need to do to get better?
After the evaluation, a recommended treatment program is sent to your physician for approval. Treatments begin as soon as possible until specified goals are met. Treatment may include home exercises or other procedures.
What do I gain with Physical and Occupational Therapy?
Physical Therapy aids and restores the body’s functional ability. General results from physical therapy include reduction or elimination of pain, increased range of motion (the amount of movement from an arm, etc.) increased strength of the muscle or limb, restored balance or stability of movement, re-education of the body for better function or re-education of the person Mental or emotionally, physical and occupational therapy helps to heal the entire mind, body and spirit from a serious trauma resulting in restored confidence and function of the recovering individual thus giving them back ability to fully enjoy life and restoring the family unit to a better level of comfort and function.
Does my insurance pay for Physical and Occupational Therapy?
Most insurances do cover the cost of physical therapy, however, based on your specific plan, you may be responsible for co-pay. The co-pay is due at each visit, and the insured is obligated to inform us of any changes to their insurance during treatment.
I have trouble caring for myself or I am the sole care giver and could use help. Can you help?
As part of the evaluation, a social worker may contact you. Working with you, the social worker determines what assistance is needed and may be available, providing guidance, information and assistance in obtaining help per your situation.
Pulmonary rehab is a program designed to teach you how to breathe easier and improve your quality of life.
Who can benefit from pulmonary rehab?
You can benefit from pulmonary rehab if you have:
» Emphysema
» Asthma
» Chronic bronchitis
» Bronchiectasis
» Cystic fibrosis
» Lung cancer
» A history of smoking
» Had lung surgery
The two key components of rehab:
Exercise training – is tailored to your capabilities to help you exercise safely, strengthen your muscles and regain energy.
Education and counseling
To help you understand and manage your lung condition.
Players on the pulmonary rehab team....
.
- Doctors (which could include your family doctor, Pulmonary doctor and your surgeon)
- Respiratory therapists
- Nurses
These are just a few who could be involved.
What are the benefits?
It is a safe, smart way to help you:
¨ Decrease symptoms such as being short of breath, coughing, and wheezing
¨ Breathe better
¨ Get stronger
¨ Decrease stress
¨ Reduce the risks of future lung problems and related hospital admission
¨ Live longer
How can the pulmonary rehab team help?
Your pulmonary team can teach you how to manage your chronic lung disease and cope with it.
They will help you:
- Learn about your lung condition
- Learn what you can do to help your lungs
- Know how to conserve energy so you can do the things you enjoy
- Build confidence in what you can do
- Ask the right questions
- Know if you have any new problems
What are the goals of pulmonary rehab?
Pulmonary rehab helps patients improve their day-to-day lives and restore their ability to function independently. It can help you feel better and be more active.
Goals include:
» Reduce and control breathing difficulties and other symptoms.
- Learn more about your disease, treatment options, and coping strategies.
- Learn to manage your disease.
- Maintain healthy behaviors such as smoking cessation, good nutrition, and exercise.
If you have any further questions, please call the office. We look forward to assisting you or a loved one on your road to recovery.
Tel: 270-763-0703
Fax: 270-763-0709
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