Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy. Living life, working, and staying active require physical ability as well as cognitive, psychological, and social skills. For someone with an injury, disability, or illness, performing some of these everyday tasks can be difficult. However, the right occupational therapy intervention can enhance your ability to function independently, return to work or perform activities of daily living, and improve your overall well-being and enjoyment of life.
Axes Physical Therapy provides compassionate and evidence-based occupational therapy services to patients of all ages and backgrounds throughout Greater St. Louis. Our practice is based on a patient-centered approach and the care we provide is tailored to each individual’s unique needs and goals. Axes’ occupational therapy services are provided by licensed occupational therapists who have years of experience treating patients and hold advanced certifications and training in specific treatment areas. Receive world-class occupational therapy at the locally owned and operated Axes facility most convenient for you. Take the first step towards recovery and independence by contacting us online or finding the location closest to you.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is defined by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists as “a client-centered health profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation.” This promotion of health and well-being can include treatment strategies that address physical, cognitive, sensory-perceptual, and psychosocial performance and abilities as they relate to your everyday activities. The result of successful occupational therapy treatment is improved well-being and quality of life for the individual receiving care. Exactly what this looks like depends on the individual, their needs, and their level of recovery.
Axes occupational therapists work with patients of all ages who are recovering from an injury or illness that is affecting their ability to perform their job or everyday activities. Specifically, our occupational therapy team evaluates and treats acute or chronic upper extremity, elbow, forearm, and hand injuries or loss of functional ability due to injury or illness. Additionally, our occupational therapy team is here to assist those that are looking to return to work safely and effectively. In these situations, the occupational therapist will work with you on material handling, lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, and any other job-specific functions.
As an occupational therapy patient, you will work with a licensed Occupational Therapist, or OT, who will use interventions such as activity modification, education, splinting, and exercise to help you perform the everyday activities, or occupations, you wish to do. Because you have a unique set of everyday activities that are important to you, the goals, methods, and outcomes of your occupational therapy journey will be unique to you as well. Occupational therapy is useful for anyone who is experiencing difficulty performing activities that they are required to do in a typical day, known as an activity of daily living, or ADL. Occupational therapy patients can be individuals with significant developmental disabilities, patients recovering from surgery or a stroke, people of advanced age adjusting to their changing bodies, workers who have been injured — essentially, occupational therapy patients can be anyone.
Who Benefits from Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a highly specialized, versatile, and patient-centered form of care that addresses patients’ goals and abilities in all environments (work, school, home, community) and through all factors (physical, psychological, cognitive, and social). Virtually anyone can benefit from occupational therapy, from young children to older adults to a typically healthy individual with an injury. It can be used not only as a tool of rehabilitation for anyone with an illness, injury, impairment, or disability that affects their ability to perform daily activities but also as a preventative measure to protect those at risk of developing an impairment or disability.
We use occupational therapy to help individuals with many different disabilities, injuries, and conditions, including:
- Acute upper extremity injuries
- Amputations
- Arthritis and other joint disorders
- Burns
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Fractures
- Muscle weakness
- Neurological disorders
- Overuse injuries
- Surgery
- Tendon injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Visual or cognitive deficits
- Work injuries
Every patient has different goals, challenges, and expectations. Your treatment strategy depends on your needs and what activities you are working to resume. Occupational therapy can be successful in addressing a wide range of tasks and goals depending on your individual needs. Some of the common uses of occupational therapy are improving:
- Eating, feeding, bathing, and using the bathroom
- Sleep
- Meal preparation
- Dressing
- Mobility, sitting, and standing
- Joint protection
- Sensation recovery
- Ability to return to work, school, and other activities
What to Expect in Occupational Therapy
Each patient’s occupational therapy treatment is specific to their unique needs, daily activities, and limitations. Your Axes St. Louis occupational therapist plays a critical role in your treatment. They will design a treatment program that will address your concerns and give you the skills you need to go about your everyday life as safely and independently as possible. When you seek occupational therapy, your OT will do the following:
- Evaluation
In order to understand your limitations and goals, your OT will perform an initial assessment and ongoing evaluations throughout your course of treatment. They will incorporate information regarding the activities you must perform on the job (if applicable) or at home.
- Planning
Next, your occupational therapist will apply their knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy practices and their understanding of your needs, environments, and goals to form an individualized treatment plan. Treatment might focus on development of a skill, adaptation of an activity; retention of a declining skill; promotion of health, wellness, and self-care; and prevention of injury or disability.
- Intervention
With a plan in place, your occupational therapist will introduce a program that will enhance your ability to perform daily activities or work safely. These interventions are specific to your needs and your typical environments and can include:
- Exercises and activities
- Training and education
- Development of skills
- Modification of environments and adaptation of activities
- Assistive devices or splinting
- Cognitive, sensory, and manual therapies
- Collaboration
In order to provide the level of care occupational therapy aims to achieve, participation of others is essential. This highly individualized care meant to promote your well-being in all your typical environments relies upon the teamwork, communication, and coordination of your OT with family members, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals who are involved in your recovery.
Occupational Therapy in St. Louis | Axes Physical Therapy
Receive evidence-based, patient-centered care through the Axes Occupational Therapy services. Whether you are having difficulty typing at work, are recovering from a stroke, or have a young adult child with a developmental disability adjusting to new responsibilities, occupational therapy can help. Our occupational therapists are highly skilled and truly passionate about helping you enjoy life and perform the everyday activities that are important to you. Learn more about our occupational therapy or other programs or become a patient of Axes today by choosing the location nearest you or reaching out to us online here.