Get back to your normal life with an occupational therapy plan.
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?
Are you looking for relief for a condition that is holding you back?
Occupational therapy (OT) is a great way to learn how to perform daily tasks with ease.
In fact, occupational therapy can help you eliminate your pain and improve performance, ultimately helping you reclaim your life.
Contact Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners today to request an appointment with one of our occupational therapists!
Key takeaways
- Functional focus: OT helps patients perform activities of daily living (ADLs) like eating, dressing, and working with greater ease.
- Hand therapy specialty: A specialized branch of OT that treats upper-extremity issues like carpal tunnel, arthritis, and fractures.
- Custom plans: Treatments include individual evaluations, customized intervention activities, and outcome assessments.
- Local Access: Services are available in Utah, Idaho, and Montana, including home and hospital visits.
What can occupational therapy do for me?
Occupational therapy is more than just addressing an injury.
At Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners, our occupational therapists focus on each patient’s functional needs by implementing exercises and activities that promote physical and psychological well-being.
Occupational therapy is a form of treatment that is deeply rooted in science and supported by numerous medical journals.
Our occupational therapists work hard to help people recover from injuries and regain functional skills.
Occupational therapy can benefit people of all ages, from helping children with disabilities participate in school and social arenas to helping seniors improve their physical and cognitive health. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for occupational therapists is expected to rise as the older adult population grows.
OT currently has a near 85% satisfaction report in quality and health outcomes. At Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners, our occupational therapy plans include:
- An individual evaluation to determine patient goals.
- Customized intervention activities to improve daily tasks and activities for the patient.
- An evaluation of outcomes to determine if goals were met and to make changes to the plan if needed.
According to the American Journal of Occupational Medicine, in addition to addressing an individual’s physical well-being, occupational therapy practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that may hinder functioning in various 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 is needed, an occupational therapist will make it. This unique approach makes occupational therapy a vital part of health care.
What’s the difference between physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT)?
While occupational therapy is like physical therapy, there are a few distinct differences.
| Feature | Physical Therapy (PT) | Occupational Therapy (OT) |
| Primary Focus | Overall movement and muscle strength. | Functional ability during daily activities. |
| Goal Example | Building back leg muscle strength after a stroke. | Practicing walking, eating, and dressing after a stroke. |
| Approach | Biomechanics and physical function. | Psychological, social, and environmental adaptation. |
Physical therapy and occupational therapy often overlap, as a patient may begin treatment with a physical therapist and then move on to an occupational therapist once their pain is relieved and they have regained sufficient strength/physical function, particularly during post-surgical rehabilitation.
Where does hand therapy come in?
There are different specialties in occupational therapy. Hand therapy is one of them.
Hand therapy focuses on treating orthopedic upper-extremity issues to optimize the functional use of the arm and hand.
This treatment is used to treat several conditions surrounding the upper extremities, including various forms of wrist and hand pain, such as:
- Amputations
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Lacerations
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Sprains/strains
- Fractures
In general, hand therapy focuses on biomechanical issues associated with upper-extremity conditions. It’s a patient-centered approach that addresses the patient’s needs, such as lifting objects, opening a jar, or buttoning a shirt.
There are several interventions a hand therapist can make to help you comfortably perform daily activities.
This may include any combination of therapeutic exercises, mirror therapy, orthosis design, pain management, manual therapy, taping, ergonomics, or compression therapy.
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:
- Management of acute or chronic pain
- Design and implementation of home exercise programs to increase motion, dexterity, and/or strength
- Preventative, non-operative, or conservative treatment
- Training in the performance of daily life skills through adapted methods and equipment
- Desensitization following nerve injury or trauma
- Customized splint fabrication for prevention or correction of injury
- Conditioning before returning to work
- Sensory re-education after nerve injury
Consult an occupational therapist today
Occupational therapy has several benefits. If you believe you could benefit from occupational therapy, don’t hesitate to request an appointment today. Our occupational therapists perform evaluations and treatments in the comfort of your home, the local hospital, and care centers.
You feel better when you can comfortably engage in your hobbies and everyday activities.
Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners is ready to get you started on the path toward living a more enjoyable, comfortable, and functional life!