Physical therapists and occupational therapists perform similar tasks, and if you’re recovering from an injury or surgery you may work with both kinds of specialists as you work to become well again. However, the scope of their work is different. Physical therapists work with patients to rehabilitate individual injuries and help them regain movement of the injured area.

Occupational therapists, on the other hand, treat the “whole person”. They specialize in a combination of manual techniques, therapeutic exercise, and neuromuscular re-education to help patients recover after surgery. Occupational therapists use these techniques and exercises — sometimes in conjunction with custom fabrication of braces and other support devices — to help their patients return to daily life and functionality.

Occupational therapy is useful for anyone who has a musculoskeletal or neurological disorder that affects their ability to move or causes a lack of strength or dexterity. Examples of conditions where occupational therapy can be most beneficial include:

• Arthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Fractures and dislocations
• Spinal injuries
• Fibromyalgia
• Neuropathic pain
• Ligament and tendon injuries

The occupational therapy team at Town Center Orthopaedics specializes in treating the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder.

While occupational therapy is prescribed for a whole host of reasons, two of the most common reasons for seeking out OT are office and workplace injuries and post-surgery rehabilitation.

• Manufacturing, construction, and other labor-intensive jobs often create situations that cause back and muscle injuries, as well as serious accidents that require extensive and comprehensive treatments.
  
  But the office can be equally risky for injuries. Administrative employees or those working with computers can develop work practices that could eventually cause debilitating injuries, leaving people unable to perform simple chores like cooking or child care.

  Complaints about musculoskeletal disorders send almost 70 million Americans to their doctors every year, with about 130 million people going to outpatient clinics, hospitals, and emergency rooms.

• Often surgery done on hands, shoulders, elbows, and wrists will include OT as part of the healing process. These specialized kinds of treatments are part of a highly coordinated course of action designed to provide patients with better outcomes than just surgery.

After a thorough assessment of your physical and functional limitations, your occupational therapist will educate you on exercises to help improve your mobility and decrease your discomfort. Each therapy is completely customized to your specific condition. Occupational therapists can also offer custom brace or orthotic fabrication, as well as develop individualized home exercise programs to help you continue in your recovery.