Occupational therapy is the branch of health care that helps an individual accommodate and overcome limitations caused by illness, a congenital defect, or injury. Your care plan depends on your individual needs and desired goals. Here’s how you and your therapist will determine which type of program is best for you.
What Does An OT Specialist in Grand Junction, CO, Do?
Occupational therapists carefully evaluate the movement, pain level, and functional capabilities of people who have physical or developmental difficulties. For a person injured on the job, an OT specialist can help them understand what they can and cannot do. The therapist also recommends job tasks and work environment accommodations. These occupational modifications may be permanent or transitional as the person heals and regains strength and function sufficient to return to work.
To arrive at the best treatment program, the occupational therapist evaluates how well the patient performs specific tasks. For some, the focus may be on self-care and ambulation, as is the case with a stroke patient. For the construction worker recovering from a severe hand injury, the plan may concentrate on becoming as functional as possible on the job–including skills and equipment the individual is required to use safely and effectively.
Finally, an occupational therapist is required to think creatively. They may teach patients how to use assistive equipment, such as a walker or crutches. The OT specialist may also show the patient new ways to work more efficiently and safely in an adapted job or home environment. In other words, OT involves thinking out of the box to maximize a person’s abilities and confidence despite limitations that may be temporary or permanent.
Individualized And Comprehensive Programs Are Key to Success
At Work Partners Occupational Health, our compassionate team looks at individual needs and customizes plans which really work. Areas of focus include:
Use of Assistive Devices and Ergonomics
Common examples include braces and canes, but, did you know that adaptations, such as computer screen readers, shadow boards to enhance organization, and sliding boards to assist with heavy lifting, are devices a therapist may recommend to enhance workplace success after an injury?
In addition, whether at home or work, ergonomics–the most productive, comfortable, and efficient way to accomplish a task–allows you to stay safe and pain-free for the long term. Examples of OT-driven ergonomic recommendations include:
- Adjusting chair or table height
- Instituting work breaks to relieve bodily stress
- Adding lights and floor mats to the workstation
Ongoing Work and Home Evaluations
Your OT program may include continuing home and workplace evaluations to ensure your skills are progressing. The therapist will adjust your program as needed, allowing you time to heal and return to your usual activities gradually. Additionally, your therapist will facilitate communication between your employer and all your health care providers, so your return to work is successful and prevents re-injury.
Our OT Therapists Are Here to Help in Grand Junction, CO
Let the professionals at Work Partners Occupational Health be your guide through the intricacies of daily life and work post-injury. Our team includes chiropractic and therapeutic specialists who have the expertise and skills to understand your unique case and to optimize goals and outcomes. In Grand Junction, CO, we are the go-to experts in occupational health.
Call us today at (970) 241-5585, and we’ll set-up an informative OT consultation with you. Or, you may request your appointment online. We look forward to serving you soon!
