Physical, sensory, and cognitive problems like autism, cerebral palsy, and mental health disorders affect a person’s quality of life. People suffering from one or all of these problems may find it hard to work, participate in leisure activities, and enjoy life, and that may cause them to lose their independence and rely on their loved ones to perform basic tasks and engage in daily activities.  

Physical, sensory, and cognitive problems may arise from injuries or disabilities from accidents, illnesses, and other medical conditions. As bad as these problems are, people do not have to deal with them and their consequences for the rest of their lives because occupational therapy in Bedford, TX, exists to help improve the motor skills and overall functioning of these people. This article will explore occupational therapy, its functions, and overall benefits at Barkman & Smith Physical Therapy. 

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that uses various treatment interventions to treat and manage physical, sensory, and cognitive conditions that affect a person’s ability to carry out their daily tasks. This branch of healthcare ensures you regain the necessary skills to be independent and participate in the activities you enjoy without pain, discomfort, or hindrance. It also helps people suffering from a disability to move around again and perform their daily activities with some modifications. 

People often confuse occupational therapy with physical therapy in Fort Worth, TX. While the two healthcare practices are similar in their approach, they are slightly different in focus. Occupational therapy aims to treat the patient wholly and address the problems such individuals face. Physical therapy, on the other hand, focuses on treating a particular ailment or physical disability. Therefore, while physical therapy tries to restore mobility, strength, and range of motion, occupational therapy focuses on treating and managing different conditions to improve an individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living. 

Occupational therapists are highly trained professionals who employ various treatment interventions to help patients regain independence in every aspect of their lives. Occupational therapists may specialize in specific conditions or types of therapy. Some occupational therapy specialties include pediatric, hand, aquatic therapeutic exercise, mental health, gerontology, and vision occupational therapy. Occupational therapists can work in different settings, including community centers, hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, schools, public and private offices, etc. 

Who can Benefit from Occupational Therapy?

The following are individuals who can benefit from occupational therapy in Fort Worth:

People recovering from surgery or accidents: Occupational therapy can also serve as a post-surgical rehabilitation program for people recovering from surgeries or accidents. Accidents or major surgeries may reduce a person’s mobility and functionality, affecting the ease with which they perform their daily activities. Occupational therapy improves the strength, range of motion and mobility of people recovering from surgery or accidents to ease their daily activities. It also oversees modifications that help people quickly recover from their jobs and other activities.

Adults with injuries, illnesses, or chronic conditions: Disabilities and inability to perform daily tasks comfortably may result from injuries, ailments, and chronic conditions like Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. People suffering from these conditions may find it difficult to move and engage in their daily activities as comfortably as they used to. Occupational therapy can help them perform their daily tasks independently through several modifications.

Individuals with mental health conditions: One’s mental health can also impact their job and ability to perform their activities of daily living. Therefore, mental health conditions are also in the purview of occupational therapy. This healthcare practice helps people suffering from diverse mental health conditions to gain coping skills and develop healthier habits needed to get them through their daily activities. 

Children with disabilities or developmental delays: Children with congenital disorders that affect their physical or cognitive functioning and development, injuries that require adaptive equipment, and neurological conditions can benefit from occupational therapy. Disabilities and developmental delays restrict children from participating in and enjoying the same activities as their peers. However, occupational therapy can enhance development in the child, promote independence, and prevent further delays. 

Older adults: As we grow older, our strength and physical ability decline, impacting our ability to carry out our daily tasks comfortably. Therefore, older adults may be unable to bear the burden of performing their normal daily activities. However, they can benefit from occupational therapy as it can help senior citizens adjust to the rigors of their daily activities. 

Occupational therapy can treat and manage the symptoms of neurological, neurodevelopmental, orthopedic & musculoskeletal, psychological & behavioral, sensory, pain, and chronic disease conditions. Examples of these conditions include cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety disorder, multiple sclerosis, down syndrome, visual or hearing impairment, etc.

What Does Occupational Therapy Do?

Occupational therapy employs several techniques to treat and manage conditions hindering people from carrying out their daily activities. A typical occupational therapy service consists of the following:

Assessment

Before taking any step, the occupational therapist determines the client’s goals by evaluating their needs, skills, and hindrances. Since occupational therapy focuses on helping you adapt to your new reality and adjust to existing conditions, the occupational therapist may also assess your home and workplace environment to determine the necessary changes they need to make.

Treatment Interventions

The occupational therapist uses the assessment results to outline effective treatment methods that ensure their patients achieve their goals. The following are different goals that occupational therapy treatment interventions can help a patient achieve:

• Ability to perform activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living
• Treatment and management of sensory processing challenges
• Improve cognitive function, such as memory, attention, problem-solving, etc.
• Development of social skills 
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Management of the symptoms of mental health conditions.

Occupational therapists also provide education and training for patients and their family members while making necessary adjustments to their home and work environment. 

Benefits of Occupational Therapy

The following are the benefits of undergoing occupational physical therapy in Bedford, TX:

• Pain relief
• Improved physical and cognitive function
• Enhanced mental health
• Improved independence
• Better overall quality of life.

Conclusion

Being unable to participate in your normal daily activities due to injury or other conditions can be very frustrating. However, you do not have to suffer this fate as you can start enjoying your favorite activities once again. Occupational therapy can help treat and manage the physical, sensory, and cognitive conditions that prevent you from carrying out your daily activities comfortably. Therefore, consider having occupational therapy at Barkman & Smith Physical Therapy.