Occupational Therapy Gets Back Your Life

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy helps people affected by illness, injury, or surgery relearn to perform functions of daily living and working. It involves physical and mental conditioning to complete tasks such as getting dressed, feeding oneself, bathing, and driving. The goal of occupational therapy is to help patients be as independent as possible.

Occupational therapy also plays an important role in workplace disability. Our experience occupational therapists can perform disability evaluations and also clear you to return to work.

Occupational therapists can help reduce or resolve mobility problems that limit a patient’s independence, work and leisure activities. The occupational therapists at Penn Highlands help individuals achieve specific skills by adapting daily tasks or the environment to your needs. We provide customized evaluation, treatment, and training to patients who have:

Work-related injuries
Stroke- or heart attack-induced disability
Arthritis, multiple sclerosis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or other serious disorder
Birth injuries, learning problems, or developmental disabilities
Burns, spinal cord injuries, and amputations
Broken bones or other injuries from sports, falls, or accidents
Side effects from cancer surgery, such as lymphedema

We also offer splinting therapy. We build custom splints to alleviate carpal tunnel syndrome, thumb injuries, meta carpal fractures, and more.

How is Occupational Therapy Different from Physical Therapy?

Occupational therapy helps people learn or relearn how to perform activities of daily living. This typically involves both physical and mental conditioning. Physical therapy helps people heal and regain strength after an injury or surgery by focusing on the area of the body needing rehabilitation.

For example, someone who injured an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a football game would likely be treated with physical therapy to support healing around the knee. Someone who had a stroke and is unable to move one side of their body would benefit from occupational therapy. This person’s therapy might include learning how to walk, eat, and dress one-handed.

How are Patients Evaluated to Determine the Best Type of Occupational Therapy?

At your first appointment, an occupational therapist will perform an evaluation. You’ll be asked about your medical history, diagnosis, referring physician, and reason for referral. Your occupational therapist will also want to know what you are looking to get out of occupational therapy. Your occupational therapist will then assess your range of motion, pain level, muscle tone and strength, sensation, balance, and coordination. Through these evaluations along with specific testing, your occupational therapist also will evaluate your ability to perform tasks specific to daily living, such as being able to wash your body or lift items. In a disability evaluation, the therapist will evaluate your ability to perform tasks required by your job.

What Type of Activities are Involved in Occupational Therapy?

The type of activities involved in your occupational therapy sessions depend on your functional goals and treatment plan. Your occupational therapist may:

Train you to use assistive devices, such as a walker or shower seat
Teach you new ways to perform movements, like getting out of bed
Educate you on how to prevent falls in your home or other injuries
Have you perform tasks that build muscle strength, motor skills, and hand-eye coordination

Center for Children's Rehabilitation - MonongahelaA Service of Penn Highlands Mon Valley

1029 Country Club Road
Monongahela, PA 15063
724-258-2971

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