ATI Celebrates Occupational Training Month

Contributions by District Director James O'Shea, OTR/L, MOT, CHT

April is Occupational Therapy Month. ATI joins the American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA] and other rehab providers to celebrate occupational therapists and their work.

Occupational therapists [OTP] and occupational therapist assistants [OTA] are an essential part in the rehabilitation process. They help patients learn how to perform the everyday "occupations", or tasks, to improve their quality of life.

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What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy practitioners collaborate with patients. Their role is to help patients adapt to physical and/or cognitive changes or differences.

"Our OTPs are multi-faceted clinicians who use holistic interventions and activities to improve a patient's ability to perform daily 'life' activities," says Occupational Therapist and District Director James O'Shea. "By focusing on increasing upper-body strength, improving fine and gross motor skills and refining basic motor skills, OTPs help patients regain independence in their daily lives, jobs and personal interests."

What does an Occupational Therapist Do?

At ATI Physical Therapy, our OTPs can evaluate upper extremity performance in a variety of daily occupations. These occupations may include home chores, work tasks, roles, sports or performing arts. Our skilled OTPs provide interventions addressing strength and/or range of motion limitations. They also provide remediation or adaptation of occupations to increase performance.

A typical progression for an occupational therapy visit is to improve performance in activities of daily living (ADL). The patient will start with activities such as bathing, dressing and feeding oneself. As the patient progresses, these activities change. They lead to improving performance in instrumental ADLs such as driving, caring for children, meal prep and work tasks.

The tools that OTPs use to accomplish patient goals look similar to the tools that physical therapists use. OTPs utilize exercise equipment, home exercise programs and hands on techniques. OTPs also use custom fabricated orthosis or custom adaptive equipment. This equipment helps position, protect or mobilize the upper extremity. Each of these devices is based on the individual. Plus, each of these devices help patients adapt and alter their surroundings.

How Can Occupational Therapy Help Me?

The occupational therapists at ATI focus on adapting their patients' skills and environments. Their primary goal is to assist their patients in meeting their daily needs. ATI OTPs are skilled in the specialty area of hand therapy. This means they have additional training and experience. These OTPs help those with an upper extremity injury return to daily occupations.

At ATI, we know every patient is different. That is why our hand therapists can test and treat many upper extremity cases. These cases include but are not limited to:

• Arthritis
• Nerve Compressions/Irritations (e.g., Carpal Tunnel and Cubital Tunnel)
• Soft tissue sprains and strains
• Fractures
• Tendonitis/Tenosynovitis (i.e., DeQuervain's, Trigger finger, and Epicondylitis)
• Rotator cuff and other shoulder injuries
• Wound care
• Scar management
• Tendon lacerations and repairs
• Amputations and re-plantations
• Compression-based and traumatic peripheral nerve injuries

Why See an Occupational/Hand Therapist?

At ATI, our therapists can deliver preventative, non-operative and conservative treatment. They are also capable of providing post-operative and industry consultations. These practices help their patients adapt to changes in their hands and upper extremities.

With ATI you will find:

• Accurate assessments
• Immediate care
• Effective treatment
• Reduced treatment time
• Faster recovery
• Improved outcomes
• Education to help minimize injury recurrence

You may visit our clinic for any number of reasons. That is okay. Our hand therapists conduct individualized evaluations and develop customized treatment plans. Our priority is to determine what kind of care will help relieve your pain and help you perform everyday occupations with satisfaction.

If you experience aches or pains in your hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder, visit one of 900+ locations to receive a complimentary screening. Our trained therapists will assess your performance and provide you with options. We want to help you get back to living your best life.

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