Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Do You Know About The Benefits Of Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat pain and regain daily function. In fact, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) says it best when describing the vast importance of occupational therapy:

“Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability.”

If you are living with a condition or have sustained an injury resulting in movement restrictions, frustration, and limitations, occupational therapy could be the answer you’re searching for.

Your treatment is not complete until you feel that your overall quality of life has been vastly improved. Rest assured that your goals are also ours, and we’ll stop at nothing to make sure you reach them.

Contact Achieve Therapy and Fitness today to learn more about how our occupational therapists can help you enjoy a higher quality of life.

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What is the difference between occupational and physical therapy?

It’s very important to know the difference between physical and occupational therapy, as these areas of practice provide different benefits to patients.

Physical therapy refers to a variety of natural and conservative treatments aimed at relieving pain and promoting healing. You might need physical therapy to help you recover from an injury or chronic pain symptoms.

Occupational therapy, while it is a similar form of conservative treatment, focuses more on rehabilitation and the “relearning” of daily activities. The purpose of occupational therapy is to make daily life easier by participating in treatments and exercises. Occupational therapists (OT’s) are experts at devising new ways for patients to accomplish tasks and goals in their everyday lives.

Occupational therapy at Achieve Therapy and Fitness is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment option that is designed to relieve pain resulting from a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries, workplace injuries, and more. Patients typically see an occupational therapist to regain function in their daily life, help manage chronic pain symptoms and prevent future injury.

Regular appointments with an occupational therapist are ideal for people of all ages, who require guidance or help with a multitude of different conditions!

What can occupational therapists help with?

Occupational therapists are extremely helpful and knowledgeable professionals who specialize in helping people maintain their daily routines, find relief from their chronic pain, and learn how to accomplish tasks with ease more comfortably.

For example, occupational therapy for a young patient may include using a special tool to make cupcakes at home. If an adaptation to a utensil needs to be fashioned, an occupational therapist will do it. This unique approach makes occupational therapy a vital part of health care.

Listed below are a few of the most common conditions that may be the culprit for the pain you are feeling in your elbow, wrist or hand:

Elbow Bursitis:

At the end of the elbow is a fluid-filled sac called the “bursa” that serves as a cushion to the elbow bone, or “ulna.” When that bursa is compressed due to an injury or repetitive motion, it can lead to pain and swelling. Because of this, it is common to see this condition in athletes and students.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS):

Carpal tunnel syndrome impacts approximately 5% of all Americans, according to the American therapy Association.

The carpal tunnel’s primary function is to protect the median nerve on the inside of your wrist, as well as the tendons that allow you to bend your fingers.

However, this tunnel can become constricted, causing nerve compression and symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the thumb, first, and second fingers. It’s also possible to experience pain in the wrist and hand, as well as swelling in the hand and fingers.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can be caused by an injury or by repetitive job-related use, such as assembly-line work, keyboard-heavy work, or driving heavy machinery.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome:

Cubital tunnel syndrome is another common form of nerve compression damage that can lead to elbow, wrist, and hand pain. It is caused by repetitive pressure on the ulnar nerve, which is located inside of the elbow and is known as your “funny bone.”

When pressure is put on the cubital tunnel and surrounding nerves, it can cause pain, numbness, and tingling, especially to the ring and pinky fingers.

Strains/Sprains:

Strains and sprains to the elbow, wrist, or hand can result in pain. Strains refer to muscle or tendon injuries, whereas sprains refer more to the ligaments, which connect bone to bone. These injuries typically occur from quick overstretching of the ligaments or tendons, such as a fall on an outstretched arm, or catching something heavy.

Arthritis:

Arthritis is a very common condition that affects approximately 53 million Americans. In fact, according to the Arthritis Foundation, it is the most common form of disability in the United States.

There are many different forms of arthritis, but it is typically caused by repetitive motions or an injury that impacts the cartilage in the joints of the elbow, wrist, or hand. therapy helps to improve joint motion, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the surrounding supportive muscles.

Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow:

Tennis elbow refers to pain on the lateral or outside aspect of the elbow, whereas golfer’s elbow refers to pain on the medial or inside aspect of the elbow.

Both of these injuries are the result of repeated use injuries and can be caused by a range of jobs other than the sports for which they are named. Therapy is the best treatment for either of these conditions, because it restores the underlying joint and soft tissue limitations that are causing strain to the tendons, and reduces the inflammation quite rapidly.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms caused by the conditions above, or if you have persistent pain that won’t seem to go away, contact Achieve Therapy and Fitness in Grand Forks, ND, East Grand Forks, MN or Park Rapids, MN as soon as possible to request an appointment.

Call our clinic today

At Achieve Therapy and Fitness our occupational therapy plans include an individual evaluation to determine your goals and customized intervention activities to improve you or your child’s daily tasks and activities. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an occupational therapist. We can help you begin your journey toward recovery and optimized function.

Your Next Steps…

  1. Request An Appointment

  2. Receive A Custom Treatment Plan

  3. Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery

  4. Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!

Achieve Optimal Health At Any Age With Physical And Occupational Therapy!