5 Benefits of Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy, established over 100 years ago, helps individuals of all ages with everyday activities. Occupational Therapy can help patients who suffer from a life-long illness, who are recovering from a recent surgery, or who need assistance improving their ability to live life to the fullest.
“Occupational Therapy (OT) is an allied health profession that involves the therapeutic use of everyday activities, or occupations, to treat the physical, mental, developmental, and emotional ailments that impact a patient’s ability to perform day-to-day tasks.” – Regis College
In honor and recognition of Occupational Therapy Month, Team Select is excited to share 5 benefits of occupational therapy, along with how our Mobile Therapy Services may be able to improve the life of someone you love.
- Improved physical strength
Working with an occupational therapist to improve your physical strength may include activities like tossing a ball, performing dumbbell exercises, or picking up and dropping small, weighted items. It is not uncommon for a patient to be recommended or prescribed occupational and physical therapy to help them recover properly from surgery or recent injury.
Team Select’s Mobile Therapy Services include muscle re-education and perceptual motor training which can better an individual’s physical strength and overall wellbeing.
Physical Therapy
- Post-op rehabilitation and teaching
- Gait/transfer/mobility training
- Therapeutic exercise
- Prosthetic training
- Weight bearing training
- Pain management
- Strength training
Orthopedic Treatments
- Manual Therapy
- Joint Mobilization
- Pain Modulation Techniques
- Electrical Modalities to Control Pain
- Manual Muscle Stretching
- Transfer/gait/balance training
- Strength training for soft tissue mobilization
Occupational Therapy
- Activities of daily living training
- Orthotic/assistive device training
- Home modification recommendations
- Energy conservation techniques
- Muscle re-education
- Perceptual motor training
- Increased independence
Independence around the house and in everyday life can easily feel lost if a patient or individual requires assistance. This can lead to frustration and confusion, especially with aging adults who need care.
Through Occupational Therapy activities, individuals can regain independence and live a healthier, happier life.
- Decreased risk of future injury
As an occupational therapist, performing a home safety assessment and recommending the proper equipment and modifications can help your patient decrease their risk of future injury in the home.
Along with home safety recommendations, improving fine motor skills, physical strength, and overall wellbeing can also help to prevent future injury.
“Falls can be fatal or lead to additional health issues. One of the first things you will learn about falls in OT continuing education is how to address weak leg muscles and poor balance to avoid injuries.
Strength training and other forms of therapy, like aquatics, are part of individualized plans that occupational therapists prepare for their clients regularly. Endurance training, which often consists of low-intensity aerobics over an extended period of time, also helps to build stamina and muscle.” – PDH Academy
- Enhance cognitive skills
What is a cognitive skill? A cognitive skill is an important, core skill your brain uses to remember, think, read, reason, learn, and pay attention. These skills can be improved through a variety of activities such as:
- Exercise
- Meditation
- Brain games
- Sleep
- Reducing stress
- Eating “brain healthy” foods
- Playing games
- Completing crossword puzzles
- Socializing
Occupational Therapy can help enhance these cognitive skills by creating a unique care plan, specific to the patient’s needs that can include puzzles, moving and picking up small items, coloring, unscrewing and screwing lids, and so much more.
With improved cognitive skills, your loved one or patient can function closer to their fullest ability and may even present a happier mindset.
- Boost confidence
Through the benefits listed above 1-4, patients can often feel a boost in confidence, with the help of Occupational Therapy.
Let Team Select help you:
- Improve physical strength
- Increase independence
- Decrease risk of future injury
- Enhance cognitive skills
- Boost confidence
Available in Aurora/Denver, Colorado Springs, Loveland, and Phoenix – our Mobile Therapy Service team is here for you every step of the way.
In addition to Occupational Therapy, we also offer programs such as Senior Living, Pain Management, Balance, and Pre/Post Orthopedic. Contact a member of our team to get started today.