Who Needs Occupational Therapy?

Whereas physical therapy helps a person to become stronger or to regain physical mobility and movability, such as after surgery or after suffering an injury, occupational therapy serves a slightly different purpose. Occupational therapy can help patients to overcome a wide variety of issues, including mental and physical disabilities. These therapists help people gain or regain the abilities they need to perform tasks, including work duties or just daily living and self-care.

You may be wondering what type of therapy you or your child will need – physical or occupational therapy. Let’s talk about why someone would need occupational therapy in particular, and where you can go for world-class physical and occupational therapy in Wooster.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TO REGAIN THE ABILITY TO PERFORM WORK

You may need to have occupational therapy if you have lost your ability to perform specific duties as a result of an injury or illness – for example, if you lost some function in a hand or in your fingers. Your occupational therapist will focus on helping you regain these functions, typically through exercises.

These exercises are meant not only to help you regain strength but also to retrain your brain in performing them. This can also help if you have neurological issues – your body will formulate new ways of “knowing” how to perform certain movements.

LEARNING OR RELEARNING DAILY LIFE FUNCTIONS

Your physician may recommend occupational therapy if you are having difficulty in performing daily living tasks, such as dressing yourself or writing. Like occupational therapy for work, you’ll learn exercises to rebuild your muscle while reestablishing the connections between your brain and muscles – such as if you had a stroke.

OVERCOMING COGNITIVE PROBLEMS

Whether for a child who has a mental impairment or an adult who experienced a mentally debilitating event, an occupational therapist can teach the person how to perform exercises that will help to form neurological connections which can overcome cognitive disability.

Occupational therapy can benefit children who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and need to learn how to focus and control impulses. It can also help children and adults who have mental retardation in performing normal daily life tasks.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN WOOSTER, OHIO

Whether you have had a stroke, a TIA (transient ischemic attack, or mini-stroke), have been in a debilitating accident, or have another type of neurological issue, have a medical evaluation and treatment here at Wooster Community Hospital. If it is determined that occupational therapy would be a good solution for you, we will devise a treatment plan that builds or rebuilds the skills needed in your daily lifestyle.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with a member of our occupational therapy team, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (330) 263-8100 or by filling out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your family’s healthcare partner!

or inquiries and appointments, you may call us at (330) 202-3300 or request an appointment online. You may consult with our speech pathologists in our HealthPoint office. Let us help you get the quality care you deserve!