Physical Therapy Articles

LIFE CAN PRESENT MANY CHALLENGES…

BUT CHALLENGES CAN BE OVERCOME

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MAKES IT POSSIBLE

Sometime in our lives many of us will face physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges that will prevent us from being as independent and active as we’d like. These challenges can begin at birth, develop gradually later in life, or arise suddenly at any age.

Occupational therapy makes it possible for people facing such challenges to participate more fully in the job of living at home and at school, at work and at play. Occupational therapy helps children and adults acquire daily living skills needed to engage in meaningful activities, ranging from self-care such as dressing and feeding oneself to work, school, leisure, and community pursuits.

You work hard at school but become frustrated and embarrassed when you print your letters backward. Will you ever learn to write clearly and quickly enough to keep up with your classmates?

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MAKES IT POSSIBLE

More than one fourth of the nation’s occupational therapy professional's focus on helping children thrive in the "occupations" of childhood—learning, playing, and growing.

Many occupational therapy professionals work at schools, offering students the skills and confidence needed to confront learning disabilities or behavioral problems. They also work with youngsters with developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy and Down syndrome to become as independent as possible.

Occupational therapy professionals help premature newborns learn oral-motor skills needed for eating, and show parents and their children with disabilities how assistive technology can enrich their lives.

Everything's so different since the accident. One moment you’re fine, and the next moment you’re faced with life in a wheelchair. How will you drive, work, or even brush your teeth?

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MAKES IT POSSIBLE

Traumatic Injuries, stroke, and amputation can mean a lifetime of disability, but many survivors__young and old alike__are able to return to active, satisfying lives.

Occupational therapy professionals ease the transition from hospital to home by showing survivors new ways to dress, eat, bathe, cook, do laundry, drive, and work. Often, they recommend special technology__from simple devices like button hooks to sophisticated, computerized systems__that make routine tasks simpler and give persons with disabilities access to a greater range of activities.

Occupational therapy professionals also can suggest ways to adapt a person’s home, school, or work environment to make it safer; to conserve energy; and to enhance comfort, independence, and productivity.

Your hands have earned you a living for many years.

But now they are so painful that you can’t type or hold a tool. How can you continue to function at work and at home? Occupational therapy makes it possible

People with painful conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendon injuries often benefit from occupational therapy. By providing special equipment like splints and by sharing ideas for doing work and home tasks, occupational therapy professionals can help speed healing and reduce the chance of further injury.

Occupational therapy professionals trained in ergonomics and body mechanics also play an important role in the workplace. By analyzing work activities and offering injury prevention training, they help keep workers healthy and productive and can reduce employers’ disability costs.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MAKES IT POSSIBLE

Occupational therapy began in America’s mental hospitals more than 100 years ago. Today mental health care remains an important part of the profession. Occupational therapy helps people challenged by psychiatric problems to live as independently as they can in their communities.

Occupational therapy professionals working in the mental health field help clients to set goals and improve routines such as taking medications, preparing meals, dressing appropriately, and bathing regularly. Occupational therapy also helps people improve interpersonal and social skills, manage time and money, and find and keep paid or volunteer work.

Thinking, feelings, and ability to relate to other people. With new treatment, through, you’ll soon be able to live on your own again. But will you be able to cope in the outside world?

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MAKES IT POSSIBLE

Sometime in our lives many of us will face physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges that will prevent us from being as independent and active as we’d like. These challenges can begin at birth, develop gradually later in life, or arise suddenly at any age.

Occupational therapy makes it possible for people facing such challenges to participate more fully in the job of living at home and at school, at work and at play.

Occupational therapy helps children and adults acquire daily living skills needed to engage in meaningful activities, ranging from self-care such as dressing and feeding oneself to work, school, leisure, and community pursuits. People who choose a career in occupational therapy are part of a vibrant, dynamic profession that serves millions of people each year.

YOU WORK HARD AT SCHOOL:

But become frustrated and embarrassed when you print our letters backward. Will you ever to write clearly and quickly enough to keep up with your classmates?