In a moment, everything can change. A Life changing event is an accidental personal injury, a sudden illness, or disease - that changes your life in all kinds of ways; leaves you feeling vulnerable, making it difficult to know precisely what follows next. The journey of recovery is challenging, but you don't have to face it alone. The occupational therapists at Whole Person Therapeutics are uniquely equipped to provide expert therapy solutions to help you return to your prior level of function.
An occupational therapist role is distinct, they focus on restoring your independence, functionality and quality of life by identifying what your level of function was prior to the life changing event, your current level of function, and what you need in the future to return to your prior level of function or best level of independent function. If it is not possible for you to return to your prior level of function, an Occupational therapist provides you with training, modifications and strategies you need to function as independently as possible.
Occupational therapist may suggest additional therapies, equipment or modifications to your work, home, personal activities, or car to help you maintain your independence, all of which comes with a cost. Where legal cases are initiated or pending, occupational therapists play a crucial role in assessing the impact of the injury on the individual's daily life and providing unbiased evidence and expert testimony to support your case. Occupational therapist evaluations, documentations, and testimonies in personal injury cases can provide valuable insights on how the impact of the life changing event affected the individual's daily life, today and in the future, which can significantly influence the outcome of the case.
Understanding Occupational Therapy:
Who is an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapists (OTs) are healthcare professionals with a high level of expertise in evaluation, assessments, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions that help people increase their independence after a life changing event. Their graduate-level profession requires:
A Master's or Doctorate in occupational Therapy from an accredited program
Fieldwork training in areas such as mental health, physical therapy/rehabilitation, sensory modulation and environmental modification
Completing and passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.
Licensed by the Department of Public Health.
This rigorous education, training, certification, and licensing process ensures occupational therapist are well-qualified health care practitioners.
What Do Occupational Therapists Do?
Occupational therapists provide holistic care to each patient by addressing the limitations that disrupt the patient's participation in their occupation (aka. everyday activities) that are uniquely important to each person based on their level of function and capacity to perform the activity. The main goal is to assist the individual in achieving the highest level of independence and functioning with everyday activities. This is accomplished by their evaluation and assessment of each client’s abilities in six different areas:
Occupation evaluation: Occupation refers to everyday activities such as bathing, eating, etc. Occupational therapists understand there a baseline of skills and capacity levels to participate in these activities. OTs assess this area both subjectively (emotionally and psychologically) and objectively (what is physically observable).
Client Factors evaluation refers to specific abilities, characteristics or beliefs that each client holds true. These beliefs can impact their performance of everyday activities in a multidimensional way. Client factors include spirituality, body ability to function, ability of the body structures to move, values and beliefs which affect how the everyday activity is performed, the pattern used, the level of function and capacity (mentally and physically) the individual requires to be able to perform the everyday activity in their environment.
Performance Skills evaluation refers to concrete, observable, goal directed actions that a client uses to perform everyday activities. They include the client’s motor and coordination skills, sensory perceptual skills, ability to regulate their emotions, cognitive skills, communication and social skills. For each person’s body to function a combination of these skills results in the successful completion of an everyday activity.
Performance Patterns evaluation refers to the clients' habits, routines, roles, and ritual processes they use when participating, or preparing to participate, in everyday activities.
Context and environment evaluation refers to the participation in an everyday activity within a social and physical environment. Context refers to the conditions or influences of that environment, such as cultural customs, demographic features, stages of life, or virtual communications.
Activity Demands evaluation refers to the participation in an everyday activity using objects, timing, actions, body functions, body structure, space or social demands required and necessary for completing the everyday activity
TOOLS AND INTERVENTIONS USED BY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST TO INCREASE YOUR INDEPENDENCE WITH ALL ACTIVITIES:
At the conclusion of your evaluation, and findings associated with the patient’s performance of everyday activity guides the focus of the therapy collaboration. Therapy approach is used to reach the outcome of promoting health, restoring function, maintaining function, activity modification for increased independence, prevention of further decline in function, and more. OTs use the following techniques as tools to reach those outcomes:
Physical Rehabilitation/Therapy:
Includes use of therapeutic exercises, neuro rehabilitation, manual therapy, therapeutic massage, ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation, diathermy, self-care, therapeutic use of self, vestibular rehabilitation, and more…These individualized techniques improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. They are essential when working with injuries, illness, or surgical procedures, and also for controlling long- term problems such as lower back pain, chronic actual physical fitness, and arthritis.
Adaptive or Compensatory Technique Trainings:
Teaches clients how to perform the same activity using a different strategy. For example, if your left shoulder is injured from a stroke or accident and you are trying to wear a shirt, using your right hand put your left arm into the sleeve of the shirt, then put your right arm. This increases the patient's independence and improves their state of mind. This may also include teaching new skills for job and home routines or suggesting modifications to the client's living/working activities.
Assistive Devices:
OTs evaluate each client, to determine the need for adaptive tools/equipment that aid in them being more independent in their daily living. These can be modifications such as railings, adapted kitchen utensils for eating, or mobility aids for non-ambulatory residents.
Skill Development:
Coaching patients is another technique to improve independence. OT coach patients on how to dress for success, cook meals regularly as part of a routine, and manages their hygiene. In fact, it is one of the most in-demand skills among all others who want to live on their own or need to rehabilitate these skills after a life changing event, such as accident or illness.
Pain Management
Pain from injury, illness, or disease is a chronic issue for many of us. Pain management strategies, including physical exercises, relaxation techniques, nutrient supports, and the use of modalities such as heat or cold Therapy, are formulated based on each client’s unique pain condition. OTs can also help clients develop an at-home pain management, or improvement, program that works best for those who suffer from chronic pain that affects if, and how, they participate in everyday activities.
Environmental Modifications
Environmental modifications may be recommended for patients at a patient’s home, vacation, or work. It consists of the OTs evaluating their ability to function and perform activities in the work, vacation or home environments. Identifying obstacles that limit independence in performing everyday activities. The OT then recommends modifications that will improve their independence with mobility, safety and function in that environment. These services may include home modifications such as stairlift to help accessing another level of the home, or rearranging the furniture in the living room for safer movement around the room when adaptive equipment like a wheelchair is used, or a ramp for access to the home when walking with a cane.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) Training
These involve training clients to perform ordinary activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, cleaning and cooking. This training is critical for those who are working towards independent living and self-sufficient home-based living. The training indirectly helps caregivers as it allows the patient to share the work associated with self-care.
How is an Occupational Therapist Different from a Medical Doctor?
There is no doubt that both occupational therapists and medical doctors play a significant role in the healthcare industry, but their specializations are not similar.
Focus on Functionality
Medical professionals, such as medical doctors, diagnose and treat a range of physical health issues, both chronic and acute conditions, using pharmaceuticals and surgeries, to improve physical illness or injury. Whereas occupational therapists concentrate on holistic approaches that increase a client’s independent level of function. They improve physical illness and injuries using holistic non-invasive approaches to help patients perform meaningful everyday activity without symptoms of pain and discomfort, without pharmaceuticals and surgeries. In fact, their treatment approaches and successful outcomes may decrease the patient’s dependence on pharmaceuticals, reduce the need for surgical intervention in some cases, and expedite recovery from surgeries.
Holistic Approach
Occupational Therapy is based on a comprehensive approach of care, focusing not only on physical rehabilitation but also on the cognitive and emotional aspects of recovery. Occupational therapists support medical providers. For example, through holistic assessments of medication interactions, OT can identify if side effects of medications are hindering the client’s ability to improve and participate in everyday activities. Occupational therapists see the whole person, their environment, lifestyle, and goals. With their unique evaluation expertise, tools and approaches clients can be confident that they will receive quality care across the board, leaving them reassured about their recovery journey.
Practical Interventions
Occupational therapists are action-oriented and provide concrete strategies to help you achieve your recovery goals. This can range from therapeutic exercises to home environment modifications. Unlike medical doctors who primarily deal with medications and surgical fixes, OTs focus on empowering you to take control of your recovery as much as possible, putting you in charge of your healing process as they provide the supports your body needs to heal itself, so you can thrive
A doctors Medical History vs A therapist’s Occupational Profile
An occupational profile is more comprehensive than a medical history. Occupational is used by occupational therapists to create a life picture of each client. Some of the information documented includes, not just the medical history, but the patient’s residential status, community support, functional abilities, medication history, Social and environmental factors, layout of the patient’s home, ability to return to work, work and home duties, and more…
This guides and helps address the patient’s unique needs and circumstances. A detailed medical history is limited as it gives a good insight into the client's overall health and also reveals any underlying conditions that may hinder recovery. This may include details of previous injuries, surgeries, long-term medical issues, and medications.
Social and Environmental Factors
Treatment plans are developed by considering the social and environmental context of each client by occupational therapists. This includes the client's housing, family support, employment, and community resources.
The Goals of Occupational Therapy
The ultimate aim of occupational Therapy is to enable the clients to perform activities independently, ensuring the highest functional level in their daily lives. Occupational therapists help people set and achieve specific goals through a structured process that involves identifying the client's needs, developing a personalized treatment plan, and regularly assessing progress. This process of goal setting and achievement in occupational Therapy is a crucial aspect, as it provides a clear roadmap for the client's recovery. It helps them stay motivated and focused on their Rehabilitation, and it also allows the occupational therapist to adjust the treatment plan as needed to ensure the best possible outcome.
Improve Physical Function
Occupational therapists help their clients improve physical skills like strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. Selective exercise, functional Therapy, and guidelines for supportive devices, when necessary, can assist with improving function.
Enhance Cognitive Abilities
Memory, attention, problem-solving skills, and other cognitive functions can be targeted by occupational therapists who provide Cognitive Rehabilitation. This is even more critical in a person who already has a sustained brain or neurological impairment.
Promote Emotional Well-Being
OTs provide emotional support and counseling to assist patients in dealing with the psychological and psychosocial effects of their injuries or illnesses. That includes a quality stress management plan, relaxation techniques, and types of support groups to create emotional fortitude.
Increase Independence
The objective of occupational therapists is to assist clients to be as independent as possible in their life and functionality at home, work or leisure.
Facilitate Community Participation
Occupational therapists work with people to help them reintegrate into their communities and resume necessary social roles. This could mean help with vocational Rehabilitation, social skills training, or community integration.
Important Information About Occupational Therapists
In order to deliver effective care, occupational therapists require a thorough understanding of their clients. This includes:
Prior Level of Function
This will enable occupational therapists to set realistic goals and treatment plans tailored around their previous level of function. This includes the client's physical capabilities, cognition, and psychosocial health status prior to the injury/illness.
Current Level of Function
Evaluating the functional level of a client is essential for determining what they need to improve and how their improvement will be measured. This can happen by analyzing whether the individual still has physical power, mobility, and those sorts of parameters that define a person’s physical status, to include strength and abilities. Physical abilities guide how they perform using their cognitive abilities, and their ability to emotionally regulate themselves during the process.
Future Level of Function
Before discharge, they work with clients to assess and determine the patient's ability to further improve with and without medically necessary therapy interventions today and in the future. It starts with discovery: what does the client want, how it will come about and then revisiting them at appropriate intervals
Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Personal Injury Cases
In personal injury cases, occupational Therapy provides the essential supporting documents legal professionals need to mount a case. Some Examples of the Specific advantages:
Comprehensive Assessments
Occupational Therapists perform in-depth evaluations of the client's physical, cognitive, and emotional function. This thorough examination provides a clear picture of the client and their condition following injury or illness.
Expert Testimony
This type of service can include objective evaluations in the form of expert testimony in personal injury cases, which demonstrate a professional perspective, client function, and injury/illness severity. This testimony can be valuable when it comes to helping with legal cases and obtaining compensation.
Collaboration with Legal Professionals
Personal injury lawyers rely on occupational therapists for this through documentation and assessments of detailed, structured support. This partnership means lawyers have the information they need to advocate on behalf of their clients.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Some occupational therapists provide vocational rehabilitation services to help clients return to work or find new jobs. This may include work training and an evaluation of the worksite. And help find a job in that different location.
Functional Capacity Evaluations
Occupational therapists conduct functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) to assess the client's ability to perform work-related tasks. This information is critical for determining the client's work capacity and eligibility for disability benefits.
Support for Insurance Claims
Specifically, occupational therapists do this through writing in the form of physical and cognitive evaluations, treatment plans, VOR reports, etc., This is an unbiased fact driven report that can be used by insurance agencies to determine payment as well as succeed personal injury claims. Documentation will then provide the evidence necessary to ensure that individuals receive appropriate payment for their medical and income loss costs.
Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Personal Injury Cases
Some conditions that significantly benefit from occupational Therapy are:
Muscle and joint Pain Relief: OTs offer unique specialized therapies and techniques to help improve pain. They can also suggest adaptive devices and equipment and ergonomic modifications that reduce discomfort and allow patients to position their bodies better.
Natural Pain Relief and Arthritis Management: it can help you to find pain solutions without the use of pharmaceuticals, such as physical activities, supplementation, and lifestyle changes, coping strategies to improve your condition and quality of life.
Functional Capacity Evaluation and Work Injury: OTs can conduct functional capacity evaluations to determine an individual's level of performance with relevant job criteria. It is necessary to assess this for situational assessment of the extent and based on which intervention planning needs appropriate socioeconomic interventions.
And more…
How Occupational Therapy Supports Long-Term Recovery
Occupational Therapy is not only about immediate recovery but also about supporting long-term well-being. Here's how occupational Therapy contributes to sustained recovery and quality of life:
Prevention of Future Injuries: Occupational therapists educate and train clients to develop skills to prevent future injuries. In this case, teaching actual activities and maintenance of the household, taking into account bodily mechanics or changes in ergonomics that may occur at different times after an injury, can be corrected by adaptive equipment.
Enhanced Adaptability: An occupational therapist helps you adapt to your changing skill levels and environment. This flexibility can permit people to cope with ongoing changes and stay freed from potential future constraints.
Ongoing Support and Maintenance: After completing initial Rehabilitation, occupational therapists provide continued support to assist clients in maintaining the progress they have made. Ongoing follow-ups and reassessments help to keep clients doing well and adjusting to new adaptive needs.
Empowerment and Self-Advocacy: : OT helps clients develop effective recovery strategies so that they maintain positive mental attitudes towards self-well-being engagement. This leads to greater self-advocacy and confidence so clients can better take on their needs for health and wellness going forward.
How to Get Started with Occupational Therapy
It is essential to get the support that you need for your injury, accident, or illness/disease in order to recover faster and pain-free. Getting Started with Occupational Therapy at Whole Person Therapeutics:
Contact Us: Get in touch with our team here to set up an initial consultation. We will chat about your requirements and see what the best solution is for you to recover.
Initial Evaluation: Our licensed occupational therapists will complete a comprehensive evaluation to determine where you are now and create an individualized plan of care.
Customized Treatment: Start your personalized sessions where we will guide you with exercises, etiquette, and modifications according to the functionality of each one.
Ongoing Support: We will follow up with how you are doing, making whatever adjustments to your treatment or instructions need changing so we can continue to move forward together.
Conclusion
Occupational Therapy is an essential aspect of the healing process when a person is injured, hurt, unwell, or ill. WholePerson Therapeutics delivers a patient-centered, all-inclusive recovery journey that attends to the physical, cognitive, and emotional facets of your healing process. Our experienced occupational therapists meet with our clients to create personalized treatment plans, focusing on increasing function and independence levels as well as the overall quality of life.
Whether you are a patient in need of rehab services or a personal injury attorney who needs these expert evaluations, Whole Person Therapeutics is here to assist. Reach out to us now and find out how we can help you or your clients with our Occupational Therapy offerings.
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