Occupational therapy is helping you or your loved ones perform tasks that are important to you. OT allows people of all ages to improve their abilities in everyday activities.

Occupational therapists use various techniques to help patients recover from injuries or disabilities and improve their lives. During therapy, they work with their patients to set goals and create a plan of care.

Occupational therapists work with children and adults

Occupational therapy helps people of all ages improve their ability to do the tasks they need to do to live independently. That could be learning at school, completing daily tasks, playing sports, or just getting out and enjoying life. Children with sensory processing issues and those developing at a slower rate often benefit from occupational therapy. These kids may struggle to concentrate or attend class because they’re overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights, or visual stimuli. OTs help children develop their attention, focus, and self-help skills by assisting them in managing their behavior. They also teach children strategies to overcome their specific challenges.

They help people with physical disabilities

Occupational therapists help people with physical disabilities regain independence and participate daily. This includes activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. OTs also teach patients skills for managing pain and frustration. OTs work in various settings, including hospitals, offices, rehabilitation facilities, and nursing homes. Their goal is to restore patients’ function and mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. To become an occupational therapist, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a field related to occupational therapy, such as kinesiology, biology, health science, or psychology. You must complete a clinical internship to gain hands-on experience working with patients. OTs use a patient-centered approach and implement techniques that suit their needs. They also assess a client’s environment and make changes in it to help them improve their quality of life. This can include reasonable modifications such as lever door handles, automated doors, grab rails, and stair lifts.

They help people with mental disabilities

Occupational therapy is a broad field that includes working with people struggling with mental health issues. Occupational therapists are skilled in helping patients return to meaningful tasks and routines vital to their mental health. They also work with patients who have physical disabilities or chronic illnesses that impact their ability to do specific tasks. For example, an OT might help people with spinal cord injuries or cancer improve their mobility.

These therapists are trained to adapt everyday activities and routines to be more comfortable, productive, and enjoyable for everyone involved. Whether improving handwriting skills or getting someone to sit up properly, an occupational therapist can help them do what they need to do.

OTs are also trained to understand the underlying physiological influences that cause emotional reactions or symptoms in individuals with mental illness and can use this knowledge to help patients cope. They may use cognitive-behavioral techniques to help patients change their negative thoughts and habits that have caused or exacerbated their mental health problems.

They help people with chronic diseases

Suppose you have a chronic disease such as arthritis, diabetes, or cancer or a mental health condition such as depression or infertility. In that case, an occupational therapist can help you manage your symptoms and set goals for healthy lifestyle habits that will be sustainable over time.

A patient’s home environment can also be adapted to make it easier or less painful for them to move around and perform activities such as showering, cooking, and getting dressed. In addition, OTs can assist with strengthening and endurance training to improve movement, reduce pain and improve cognitive functioning.

Occupational therapy is an established practice area in primary care. It has a strong history of improving outcomes for clients with multiple chronic conditions (MCC), such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rheumatoid arthritis, and heart failure. As the nation continues transforming its healthcare system, occupational therapy is uniquely positioned to play a central role in the interdisciplinary team’s approach to managing MCCs.