Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

  • CALL (330) 305-0838
  •   
  • Patient Portal  
  • Online Bill Pay
  • Request An Appointment
MENUMENU
  • About Us
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
  • Meet the Doctors
    • Raymond Candage, MD
    • Tim Conlan, MD
    • Steven Coss, MD
    • Jeffrey Dulik, DO
    • Ericka Glass, MD
    • Michael Lykins, DO
    • Dean Marshall, DO
    • Ajay K. Seth, MD
    • Mark J. Shepard, MD
    • Jared J. Stefanko, DO, MS
    • Ryan L. Eschbaugh, DO
    • Jana Glick
    • Katy Kerkian-Winton
    • Marcia Grossman
    • Patrick Robbins
  • Conditions We Treat
    • Sports Medicine Injuries
    • Sprains
    • Ligament Disruptions
    • Cartilage Tears
    • Repetitive Stress Disorders
    • Overuse Syndromes
    • Tendonitis
    • Arthritis and Bursitis
    • Fractures and Dislocations
    • Work-Related Injuries
    • Neck and Back Injuries
    • Foot and Ankle Injuries
    • Shoulder and Elbow Injuries
    • Hand and Wrist Injuries
    • Hip and Knee Injuries
  • Orthopaedic Surgery
    • Arthroscopy
    • Total Joint Replacement
    • Fractures & Dislocations
    • Shoulder Surgery
    • Foot Surgery
    • Hand Surgery
    • Spine Surgery
    • Robotic Surgery
    • Outpatient Total Joint Replacement Surgery
  • Urgent Care
  • On-site Services
    • Physical Therapy
    • Occupational Hand Therapy
    • Digital X-ray
    • Full-body MRI
    • Orthopedic Urgent Care
    • Surgery Center
    • Casting & DME
  • New Patients
    • Patient Registration
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Forms
    • Helpful Links
    • Physician Referral
    • Satisfaction Survey
    • Patient Education
  • Contact Us

Occupational Therapy: An Overview

Back to Patient Education
  • Introduction

Introduction

An injury, disease, or traumatic event may change the way your body functions and the way that you perceive your environment.  A single problem or combination of conditions may change the way that you think, act, feel, see, or move your body.  You may suddenly need help from others for your basic daily needs, including toileting, bathing, dressing, and feeding.  Occupational therapists understand the value of taking care of yourself as independently as possible.  They can help you improve skills, perform activities in a different way, or use assistive devices.  If you need help from others, occupational therapists can help you learn how to be in charge of directing your own care.
 
Occupational therapists view life holistically and focus on the physical, social, emotional, and psychological affects of illness and injury.  They are well-educated professionals and enter the field with a bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree.  Following their education, they must successfully complete a series of internships and pass a national examination.  They must also receive continuing education throughout their careers.  Occupational therapists can gain specialty credentials in an area of practice, such as a Certified Hand Therapist, after successfully completing practice, education, and examination requirements. 
 
Occupational therapists realize everyone is different and will focus on what is important to you.  From teaching you to bathe with one hand to customizing your bathroom with durable medical equipment, occupational therapists are creative problem solvers.  They are dedicated to helping you and your loved ones learn how to function as independently and safely in the environment that is important to you.
 
Following injury or illness, an occupational therapist can help you identify tasks that you need assistance with and improve skills that have been affected by your illness or injury.  An initial evaluation will determine your baseline skill level, strengths, limitations, and degree of independent functioning.  Standardized tests may be used to evaluate muscle movements, hand coordination, strength, memory skills, and visual perception.  You will be asked to demonstrate or simulate practical activities, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and toileting.  This information is necessary to make recommendations to improve your skill level, safety, and independence.  You should tell your evaluator your goals, expectations, and priorities.  Together, you will formulate a treatment plan with specific short term and long term goals.
 
You may be able to improve your functioning by performing exercises and activities.  If your problems are permanent or severe, you may be able to learn compensation techniques, such as using assistive devices.  You may need to re-learn how to perform certain tasks or learn how to do things in a different way, such as using one-handed techniques for dressing or grooming.
 
Occupational therapists perform home safety evaluations and home modification evaluations.  They can make recommendations for adaptations to your home, such as widening doorways to allow wheelchair entrance, and durable medical equipment, such as toilet risers and grab bars in a shower. 
 
Occupational therapists can assist with your return to work or school.  As part of your therapy, you may perform work simulation activities to increase your skills.  Your therapist can examine your work or school environment and make ergonomic or accessibility suggestions to improve your function and prevent future injuries.
Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on April 13th, 2016. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

SPECTRUM
ORTHOPAEDICS BLOG

Spectrum Orthopaedics is your number one source for the latest news about research and advancements in orthopedic care.

 

LEARN MORE

PATIENT EDUCATION

The more you know about your condition or treatment, the better and swifter your recovery.
Our patient education library can provide you with that insight.

LEARN MORE

PATIENT STORIES

 
Donita suffered a work-related injury that required complex wrist surgery. Thanks to Spectrum Orthopaedics, she’s back on the job feeling better than ever…
Tammy had severe knee pain for years and tried all sorts of treatments to no avail. Then she went to Spectrum Orthopaedics. Now, she’s walking pain-free.
Karen sustained a severe forearm injury while on a camping trip. Instead of going to the ER, she went to Spectrum Orthopaedics and had restorative surgery within 48 hours.
Dr. Zimmerman had pain in both knees so severe that he could only walk about 100 feet at a time — until he turned to Spectrum Orthopaedics.
 

READ MORE

Donita Klein

Tammy Wile

Karen Parker

Don Zimmerman

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet the Doctors
  • Conditions We Treat
  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • On-site Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Resources
  • Contact Us

7442 Frank Avenue North Canton, OH 44720  |  PHONE: (330) 305-083

© Copyright · Spectrum Orthopaedics · All Rights Reserved

HIPAA Privacy Policy | Sitemap

EMPLOYEE LOGIN
PHYSICIAN REFERRAL
iHealthspot
Medical Website Design and
Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com
MENUMENU
  • Home
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • Back
  • About Us
  • Meet the Doctors
    • Raymond Candage, MD
    • Steven Coss, MD
    • Jeffrey Dulik, DO
    • Ericka Glass, MD
    • Michael Lykins, DO
    • Dean Marshall, DO
    • Ajay K. Seth, MD
    • Mark J. Shepard, MD
    • Jared J. Stefanko, DO, MS
    • Ryan L. Eschbaugh, DO
    • Jana Glick
    • Katy Kerkian-Winton
    • Marcia Grossman
    • Patrick Robbins
    • Back
  • Conditions We Treat
    • Sports Medicine Injuries
    • Sprains
    • Ligament Disruptions
    • Cartilage Tears
    • Repetitive Stress Disorders
    • Overuse Syndromes
    • Tendonitis
    • Arthritis and Bursitis
    • Fractures and Dislocations
    • Work-Related Injuries
    • Neck and Back Injuries
    • Foot and Ankle Injuries
    • Shoulder and Elbow Injuries
    • Hand and Wrist Injuries
    • Hip and Knee Injuries
    • Back
  • Orthopaedic Surgery
    • Arthroscopy
    • Total Joint Replacement
    • Fractures & Dislocations
    • Shoulder Surgery
    • Foot Surgery
    • Hand Surgery
    • Spine Surgery
    • Robotic Surgery
    • Outpatient Total Joint Replacement Surgery
    • Back
  • Urgent Care
  • On-site Services
    • Physical Therapy
    • Occupational & Hand Therapy
    • Digital X-ray
    • Full-body MRI
    • Orthopedic Urgent Care
    • Surgery Center
    • Casting & DME
    • Back
  • New Patients
    • Patient Registration
    • Back
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Forms
    • Physician Referral
    • Helpful Links
    • Satisfaction Survey
    • Videos
    • Patient Education
    • FAQs
    • Back
  • Contact Us