April is National Occupational Therapy Month, and it’s a great time to shine some light on an important recovery tool for many personal injury victims. Occupational therapy (OT) is used to help individuals overcome physical, emotional, and social challenges with customized interventions to help them meet their goals.
What is Occupational Therapy?
The purpose of occupational therapy is to help people live as self-sufficiently as they can. OT can help individuals manage injuries, conditions, or disabilities that make participating in daily routines more difficult.
OT can help people learn how to move or use different tools after an injury. It’s an important part of recovering from serious injuries that affect balance, coordination, strength, and the ability to participate in daily tasks such as eating, toileting, and bathing.
Common Personal Injuries and Occupational Therapy
According to the Cleveland Clinic, common injuries that may result in the need for occupational therapy include:
- Fractures
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Amputation
- Spinal cord injuries
- Hand injuries
Individuals with chronic conditions such as spina bifida, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy may benefit from OT. It’s also common after some surgeries, such as joint replacements.
Assessment and Interventions
Wondering what to expect when working with an occupational therapist? Each practice operates a bit differently, but OTs typically start by assessing your needs and talking about your goals, including any issues you’re experiencing that are preventing you from reaching those aims. Your OT may evaluate your home, workplace, or another environment you’re in frequently to understand what type of support you’ll need to meet your goals.
Your OT will offer interventions to help you complete tasks better. For example, they might help you learn how to use a new piece of assistive equipment, such as a walker. The therapist will ensure you can use the equipment safely and confidently in all of your daily activities.
Interventions may also be exercises to increase your strength and coordination, or changes to your environment to make navigating the space easier. For example, if you’re using a wheelchair, you likely need to make some adjustments to your home to make it safe and easy to use your chair, such as installing threshold ramps or ensuring there’s plenty of room for you to roll up to the kitchen table. Interventions are customized to your specific needs and goals.
Many people use OT after personal injuries to help them learn to safely get dressed, use technology, and prepare meals. Occupational therapy takes time, but it’s worth the investment in your independence.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
