What is Occupational Therapy, Hand Therapy and Work Hardening?
Occupational Therapy is a healthcare profession that provides service to individuals whose lives have been disrupted by physical injury, illness or developmental problems. Occupational Therapists evaluate a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL’s) involving work, self-care and play/leisure skills. Occupational Therapists can modify or simplify daily tasks to promote maximum functional independence i.e. build up a handle on feeding utensils, long handle sponge/reacher, energy conservation/joint protection. Hand Therapy is a branch of occupational therapy theory and practice that combines comprehensive knowledge of upper extremity function and activity. Using specialized skills in assessment and treatment, hand therapists promote restoration of function and/or reversal of injury to maximize performance of daily activities. Hand therapists teach exercise, apply modalities and create custom splints to protect from additional injury or impairment. Work Hardening is a s
