Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is available now as part of Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy’s comprehensive holistic care. Our goal is to help you maximize your abilities so you can get more out of life while supporting your overall health and wellness. Surprisingly, many people don’t take advantage of occupational therapy until it’s suggested by a healthcare provider. Part of that is due to occupational therapy not being as understood as the more prevalent physical therapy.

With regular sessions, you can experience improvement in your daily “occupations” or activities related to everything from self-care and household chores to work and leisure. Regular visits can improve daily routines and help you minimize the limitations of a chronic condition or heal from acute conditions like an injury, surgery or disease. If you’re wondering if occupational therapy might benefit your life and you live in North Jersey, read on to discover more about this lesser known type of care.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy (OT) is a holistic approach to living with a condition, focusing on giving patients the tools and strategies they need to make the most of their lives and successfully participate in a regular daily routine. It’s important to understand that there are many different types of occupational therapy, each focusing on different types of needs based on a patient’s age and condition.

One common misunderstanding is that occupational therapy helps people get back to work or their “occupation.” In fact, occupations actually refer in this instance to regular activities, whether they are work or non-work related and include:

• Self-care tasks like bathing, grooming, and exercising
• Work and education related adaptation including creating proper workspaces or new approaches to work that help enhance performance and productivity.
• Leisure including devising necessary adjustments that allow patients to still participate in activities they enjoy and/or finding new hobbies and pastimes
• Home management such as cooking, cleaning, and keeping a tidy well-organized home

Unlike physical therapy, which focuses on helping a patient recover physical mobility and strength, occupational therapy addresses the broader goal of helping patients function better in their everyday lives. At Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, our licensed occupational therapists work with clients of all ages and backgrounds.

Whether you’re recovering from an injury, living with a chronic condition, or have a loved one facing developmental challenges, our therapists are here to help. We will listen to your needs and learn about your life and create an occupational therapy plan that helps you regain your ability to participate in the everyday activities of life, from the mundane to the memorable.

Why is Occupational Therapy Important?

Occupational therapy is about more than just recovering from injury. This type of therapy actually will help you build the skills and confidence necessary to navigate everyday tasks. For instance, someone with arthritis might find better ways to open cans in the kitchen and less painful ways to operate a computer. A stroke survivor can work on learning how to pick up items again, developing their grip strength and tripod grasp.

We help you learn the proper techniques or develop practical workarounds to give you a sense of identity and fulfillment while relying less on family members for your care. Our occupational therapists work closely with you to design a personalized treatment plan that reflects your lifestyle. From recommending specific home modifications to teaching you adaptive techniques, we help you manage your condition so you can continue participating in activities you enjoy.

What Conditions Benefit from Occupational Therapy

At Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy, we specialize in working with individuals who face chronic health conditions. Occupational therapy is particularly effective for those dealing with long-term challenges such as:

• Arthritis
• Stroke Recovery
• Neurological Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injuries
• Post-surgery recovery
• Injuries
• Chronic conditions

How Does Occupational Therapy Work?

Occupational therapy begins with a thorough evaluation of your current abilities and the challenges you face in your daily life. Our therapists conduct detailed assessments to identify areas where you may need support. From there, we’ll develop a customized treatment plan that targets your specific needs.

How is Occupational Therapy Different From Physical Therapy?

It’s helpful to understand the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy. Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy offers both physical therapy and now occupational therapy.

You can think of physical therapy as primarily focusing on improving the body’s physical capabilities. This is done by helping a patient with their movement, strength, mobility, and balance through specific exercises and manual techniques. Occupational therapy is less focused on conditioning the body as it is on helping a patient with their day-to-day activities. In this way, occupational therapy emphasizes improving a patient’s confidence and comfort in being active and completing activities both simple and complex.

If you’re looking to regain independence in your daily routines, occupational therapy can significantly improve your quality of life. Some patients, such as those recovering from an injury, surgery, or stroke, may participate in both occupational and physical therapy because each type addresses a different need and accomplishes different goals.

Get Started on the Road to Greater Independence with Occupational Therapy in Northern NJ

We’re committed to providing high-quality occupational therapy services that are personalized to your specific needs. Our experienced therapists have been giving patients the techniques and solutions they need to live more independently for many years.

Schedule a consultation and see how our compassionate, individualized care can help you achieve your goals and regain control of your life. Whether you’re facing a new challenge or managing a long-term condition, our team is here to guide you through the process. We take pride in offering a collaborative approach, working closely with you to ensure that you feel empowered, confident, and ready to tackle life’s daily demands.

Choose from your most convenient northern NJ location:

Oakland

Wayne

Fair Lawn