Rehab Select Blog

Chronic illnesses, sudden injuries, and mental and physical disabilities can make it difficult or even impossible for those suffering from them to perform many of the day-to-day functions most people take for granted.

Occupational therapy (OT) for physical dysfunction helps patients remediate impairments and limitations by learning practical techniques to work around their challenges. It helps patients recovering from surgeries (e.g., joint replacement and other orthopedic surgeries,) rehabilitating after a stroke or cardiac event, or dealing with the loss of mobility due to chronic health conditions regain day-to-day functions and independence.

According to the The National Safety Council, the U.S. experienced 14.3 million injuries in 2019 alone. Unfortunately, many of us will suffer from an injury that seriously affects our health at some point in our lives. Others of us may have to cope with the impacts of long-term illness.

Physical and occupational both play a key role in rehabilitation and recovery. At Rehab Select, our expert teams of occupational and physical therapists work together to create a holistic treatment program for our patients in short- and long-term care.

For patients recovering from prolonged illnesses or injuries — strokes, fractures, or neuromuscular diseases — making the necessary adjustments to perform day-to-day self-care, regain cognitive functions, and return to work can be challenging.

Physical therapy and occupational therapy are two rather closely related fields—so closely that many people are under the impression that the terms are interchangeable. While both types of therapists may work with similar patients, injuries and conditions, there are distinct differences between the two. Here we'll go over those differences to help potential patients clear the air about these therapies, making it easier for them to pursue the most suitable treatment for their specific needs.

Occupational therapy is a rehabilitative specialty that provides therapeutic interventions that work to enhance patients' ability to participate in the meaningful activities of daily life, despite the presence of impairments in physical, mental or cognitive functioning. So who can benefit from occupational therapy? What can patients who undergo this type of therapy expect? To answer these questions and others for patients considering therapy, here is a brief guide to occupational therapy and how it works.

If you are rehabilitating from physical impairments resulting from illness or injury, physical and/or occupational therapy are likely to be recommended as part of that process. Often, patients who have been referred to these services are confused about the differences between these two similar forms of therapy. To help ease your way through your care planning efforts, here are 2 important differences between physical therapy and occupational therapy.

If you're an arthritis sufferer, occupational therapy is an important part of managing your symptoms. This is as true for the person newly diagnosed with arthritis as it is for those in its more advanced stages. That's because occupational therapy can help you learn how to minimize the impact of arthritis symptoms on your quality of life, giving you the tools you need to stay healthy and active and live life to the fullest. If you will be seeing an occupational therapist, here are 3 tips that can help you make the most of the experience.

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you certainly don't need to be told that this disease can make daily life difficult. During a flare, when joints are swollen, stiff, and painful, or in the advanced stages of the disease, when gradual damage to joints impairs their function, even simple, everyday chores, tasks, and activities can become challenging ordeals. Occupational therapy for RA can make living with RA a bit easier, helping you maintain your independence and improve your quality of life.