Occupational Therapy

Introduction

We help children diagnosed with an injury, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other conditions to acquire skills that they require to engage in day-to-day activities. Infants who have a risk of experiencing delayed developmental milestones can also be assisted through timely therapeutic interventions.

Our treatment approach includes the adoption of Early Intervention [EI] which enables us treat children right from birth to eighteen years of age who:

• Experience developmental delays, as measured by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures in one or more of five developmental areas;
• Have a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay;
• At the government’s discretion are at risk of developmental delay.

This may also include, at a physician’s discretion, certain preschool-age children.

Along with providing intervention, pediatric therapists also work closely with the family of the child as well as teachers and caregivers.

Early Intervention OT

Early intervention (EI) involves working with children from birth to eighteen years old to promote development and engagement with their everyday routines by “addressing areas of occupation, including activities of daily living, rest and sleep, play, education, and social participation”

EI is most commonly provided in the child’s home, but may also involve community settings like childcare facilities or parks. There is a big emphasis on the natural environment and developing skills that are valuable to the family, as well as helping with roles and routines.

School

The intervention also involves working with the school system with students that have been identified as having a disability that affects their education. Intervention is focused in this setting on the student’s school occupations such as social skills, attention, behavior management, communication, fine and visual motor skills, and handwriting as well as adapting the environment to ensure the most success for the student. interventions in this setting are educationally relevant, meaning the treatments are focused on skills that affect the student’s performance in school.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit [NICU]

In this setting, our therapists work with newborns (often premature) who have high medical needs. The most common interventions involve feeding, positioning, and a lot of parent/caregiver education and training.

Intensive Care Unit [ICU]

Our therapists work with patients in the ICU to improves patient’s strength, cognition, functional independence in activities of daily living and walking which in turn decreases the length of time patients spend in the hospital.

Introduction

We work with adults and children alike with a wide variety of disabilities, both in type and severity. Treatment takes place weekly at our clinic that is set up to address building underlying skills in a playful manner. Treatments may involve fine and gross motor coordination, handwriting, behavior management, equipment recommendations, and addressing developmental delays. We will also use occupation-based interventions to work on activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, self-feeding, working, etc.

Aquatic therapy is a popular complement to traditional land-based therapy like physical therapy. This type of therapy is also known as hydrotherapy and aquatic rehabilitation. It takes place in a pool or other aquatic environment. Its soothing properties appeal to many who are seeking to heal their bodies or just plain relax from everyday stress.

CONDITIONS THAT CAN BE HELPED BY AQUATIC THERAPY

• Arthritis
• Arthroscopic surgery recovery
• Autism
• Balance disorders
• Bursitis
• Cerebral palsy
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Idiopathic joint pain
• Joint reconstruction surgery recovery
• Joint replacement surgery recovery
• Lower back pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Orthopedic injuries
•  Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scoliosis
• Stress
• Spinal cord injury
• Sprains and strains
• Stroke
•  Tendonitis
• Traumatic Brain Injury

Goals of Aquatic Therapy

The goals of aquatic therapy include:

• Reducing stress and promoting relaxation
• Improving flexibility and the ability to move
• Building muscle strength and endurance
• Improving coordination and balance
• Assisting with locomotion and gait
• Increasing aerobic capacity for better health
• Enhance the healing process, so rehab time is less.

Water therapy has been used for hundreds of years by many cultures. The ancient Romans and Greeks bathed in hot springs for relaxation and to improve circulation. Hippocrates was a great believer in hot springs to heal sickness. Swiss monks were well known to use thermal waters to treat sick people. The Japanese use hot springs to treat skin problems and relieve chronic pain. All around, the magic of water has been well-known for years.

The Many Benefits of Aquatic Therapy

• Its natural resistance can be used to increase the rehabilitation process and for muscle strengthening.
• Water has a natural buoyancy for flotation and reduces gravity on aching muscles and joints. There’s just less pain when you exercise in water.
• With its hydrostatic pressure, you’re supported and don’t have to fear of falling from performing exercises.
• It provides a soothing and relaxing environment for aching muscles and joints. It also gets you in the zone.
• The respiratory muscles are forced to work more for good health. Breathe better.
• Wave propagation and turbulence allow the physical therapist to gently manipulate your body.

Ergonomics is the study and practice of improving the way people move and function within their daily life. Emphasis is placed on maximizing efficiency and safety through the use of certain tools or body mechanic strategies, and identifying how certain factors may be contributing to the injury.

Workplace Ergonomics

Workplace ergonomics involves planning, designing, and creating a work environment that enhances employee productivity and capability through maintaining and creating proper physical facilities to reduce employee injuries.

For example; Computer workers are susceptible to working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks in repetition. Performing tasks in repetition often lead to MSDs and/or damage to tendons, ligaments, nerves, or joints excessive computer use can cause some issues and complaints with symptoms associated with fatigue, headaches, stress, eye strain and irritation; muscle pain, blurred vision, arm, back, and neck pain, shoulders, and hand/wrists.

The typical employee may face any of the following musculoskeletal injuries, which are common in the workplace:

• Cervical strain and pain (including a new phenomenon called “text neck”)
• TMJ dysfunction and tension headaches
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve entrapment at the wrist)
• Tendonitis (inflammation in tendons)
• Rotator cuff strains and tears
• Medial or lateral epicondylitis (golfer’s or tennis elbow, respectively)
• Trigger finger
• Back pain caused by injuries to the muscles, joints, or discs

Ergonomics is not just for the workplace. In truth, everyone in your household needs to have a healthy awareness of good ergonomics in their daily lives, while doing everything from using the smartphone to driving or to playing sports.