"The field of OT consists of health care practitioners trained and educated to improve mental and physical performance."
It is the study of how people can regain the ability to do everyday activities after an illness or injury.
Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding the structure and function of different parts of the body is crucial to understand how occupational therapy can help people with physical health conditions.
Kinesiology: Kinesiology is the study of human movement, which is essential in determining the most appropriate therapeutic interventions to address physical health concerns.
Biomechanics: Biomechanics focuses on the principles of physics and engineering that relate to human movement. Occupational therapists use these principles to help improve the motion of people with physical health conditions.
Pathology: Understanding various pathological conditions, their manifestations, and how they impact patients' functional abilities is critical when working with people with physical health conditions.
Neuroanatomy: An understanding of how the nervous system is organized and the role it plays in controlling movement is essential when working with people with neurological conditions.
Physiology of exercise: A knowledge of how the human body responds to different types of activities and exercise regimens can help occupational therapists design appropriate intervention programs for their clients.
Positioning and mobility: Positioning and mobility refer to the techniques used to help people with physical health conditions maintain or improve their physical capabilities in a variety of daily activities.
Wheelchair and seating: An occupational therapist needs to have a good understanding of the different types of wheelchairs and seating devices and how to properly evaluate, recommend, and fit them.
Assistive technology and adaptive equipment: Occupational therapists need to be familiar with the availability and use of assistive technology and adaptive equipment to recommend appropriate solutions to enhance clients' functional abilities or compensate for their deficits.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): ADLs refer to the daily self-care activities that people need to perform to maintain their health and well-being. Knowledge of ADLs is fundamental to the practice of occupational therapy.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): IADLs refer to the activities that people perform to live independently in their community, including managing finances, shopping, cooking, and using transportation.
Work-related abilities: Occupational therapists can help clients to return to work or to develop the skills and strategies to manage their work environments successfully.
Assessment and evaluation: Occupational therapists must have a solid understanding of the different types of assessments and evaluations to use in determining the clients' needs and appropriate intervention strategies.
Interventions and treatments: Knowledge of different intervention techniques and treatments is crucial when designing and implementing intervention programs to address physical health concerns.
Interdisciplinary collaboration: Occupational therapists need to work closely with other healthcare professionals, including doctors, rehabilitation specialists, social workers, and others to achieve optimal outcomes for their clients.
Hand therapy: Focuses on rehabilitating the hand and wrist muscles after an injury or surgery.
Pediatric therapy: Specializes in treating children with physical disabilities or developmental disorders.
Spinal cord injury rehab: Focuses on helping individuals who have suffered a spinal cord injury regain their mobility and independence.
Neurological rehab: Assists individuals with physical disabilities caused by brain injuries or neurological disorders.
Orthopedic rehab: Helps individuals recover from orthopedic surgical procedures, such as hip or knee replacement.
Geriatric therapy: Works with elderly individuals to prevent falls, improve balance, and increase overall strength and independence.
Work hardening: Helps individuals regain the physical skills needed to return to work after an injury or prolonged absence.
Cardiac rehab: Assists individuals in recovering from heart-related procedures or medical conditions.
Sports therapy: Works with athletes to prevent injuries and improve physical performance.
Oncology rehab: Assists individuals in managing the physical side effects of cancer treatment.
Mental Health Occupational Therapy: Using a range of techniques for individuals or groups with mental health illness or disorders, like anxiety, depression, or substance misuse, helping them to overcome or manage their problems.
Adapted driving assessments, training, and vehicle modifications: Involves an individual who experiences difficulties, usually related to injury or illness, to drive safely and comfortably.
Hospice and Palliative Care: Works alongside a patient's Palliative team to provide physical rehabilitation and psychological support, as well as addressing changes brought about by active illness, the likelihood of death, and caring for their self-esteem.
"Individuals, groups, or communities."
"Teaching, educating, and supporting participation in any activity that occupies an individual's time."
"It is an independent health profession sometimes categorized as an allied health profession."
"Occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs)."
"Both work with people who want to improve their mental and or physical health, disabilities, injuries, or impairments."
"Someone who 'helps people across their lifespan participate in the things they want and/or need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations).'"
"Helping children with disabilities to participate in school and social situations, training in assistive device technology, physical injury rehabilitation, mental dysfunction rehabilitation, support for individuals experiencing physical and cognitive changes, assessing ergonomics and assistive seating options, education in disease and rehabilitation process, advocating for patient health, finding vocational activities."
"University-educated professionals."
"A master's degree."
"A two-year associate degree."
"Must pass a national board certification and apply for a state license."
"Professionals in physical therapy, speech–language pathology, audiology, nursing, nutrition, social work, psychology, medicine, and assistive technology."
"Helping children with disabilities to participate in school and social situations."
"Recovery and improvement of physical function following an injury."
"Assisting individuals across the age spectrum experiencing physical and cognitive changes."
"Assessing ergonomics and assistive seating options to maximize independent function, while alleviating the risk of pressure injury."
"Education in the disease and rehabilitation process."
"Advocating for patient health."
"Finding vocational activities."