What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy is the use of particular activities as an aid to overcoming the effects of disability caused by illness, ageing or injury, so that people can carry out everyday tasks or occupations.
The word 'Occupation' in this sense refers to practical and purposeful activities people do to occupy their time. Allowing them to live independently and have a sense of identity; for example their roles, routines, hobbies, exercise and work.
OT takes a ‘whole-person' or 'holistic' approach to both mental and physical well-being, and enables individuals to work towards achieving their full potential.
In the Neurological setting at PhysioFunction, the type of Occupational Therapy we offer our clients depends on the individual’s goals and how they wish to focus their treatment.
Combining Neurological Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for More Integrated Rehabilitation Outcomes
Our Neurological Physiotherapists will focus on our client's whole-body movement, conditioning and strengthening through manual therapy, exercise, and therapeutic equipment.
Our Occupational Therapist will complement the work of the Physiotherapist, focusing on the functional use of the movement being worked on, and will tailor it to particular goals that the individual would like to achieve in their daily life.
For example: If a client comes to us following a Stroke and loss of hand function, our Neurological Physiotherapist may assess the body as a whole and work on any weaknesses that have occurred in the trunk and upper/lower limbs.
Our OT would then assess the client to understand which tasks they would like to return to, for example their routines, roles or leisure activities, and combine manual upper limb therapy as appropriate, to work towards achieving their individual goals. With regard to regaining hand function, goals may be as simple as washing, dressing and eating, or more complex, for example, self-propelling a wheelchair, positioning a camera lens or re-learning how to hold a golf club. Goals are entirely dependent on the individual.
Overall, by combining Neurological Physiotherapy with Occupational Therapy, we are able to provide a more integrated ‘whole person’ approach to recovery and rehabilitation.