What is therapy exercise in occupational therapy?
Therapeutic exercise is designed to improve strength in a body part. Therapy exercise for an injury or chronic condition is intended to restore function while improving strength and decreasing pain.
Activities simulate routine everyday tasks. Real-life scenarios allow patients to build the skills needed to increase or maintain independent activities.
What is the main purpose of occupational therapy?
The primary purpose of occupational therapy is to treat motor skills, balance, and coordination. Occupational therapy helps individuals who may struggle with everyday tasks like writing or getting dressed. The occupational therapy goals are to restore or maintain physical function so the patient can function at home, school, or work. An occupational therapist can recommend adaptations to perform tasks.
Conditions that benefit from occupational therapy include:
- Arthritis and chronic pain
- Stroke
- Brain injuries
- Joint replacements
- Spinal cord injury
- Visual problems
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Poor balance
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cerebral palsy
- Mental health or behavioral issues
- Birth defects
- Autism
- Severe injuries
Occupational therapy services may be accessed through home therapy, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living centers.
What activities are done in occupational therapy?
The activities done in occupation therapy are geared to promoting self-care, prevention of disability, and increased independent function. Activities mimic the routine tasks a person performs throughout their day. Examples include:
- Getting dressed
- Cooking a meal
- Tasks required for housekeeping
- Feeding
- Schoolwork
What are some occupational therapy activities for adults?
Occupational therapy activities are tailored to the goals of the patient. Some activities that may be worked on include:
- Dressing
- Managing medication
- Grooming
- Eating
- Managing containers
- Managing money
- Locks
- Typing
- Handwriting
- Meal preparation
- Shuffling cards
- Screwing and unscrewing
What activities do occupational therapists do with children?
Activities for children will be designed to meet individual patient characteristics. Some examples of potential activities for children include:
- Dressing
- Arts and crafts (may consist of drawing or painting)
- Sensory gyms (swinging and jumping)
- Playing with balls of various sizes
- Feeding
- Grooming
Activities for children are allowed for play while addressing the goals of therapy.
What are some exercises for gait training?
Gait training involves improving the ability to walk, which may have been affected after injury or illness. Some exercises that are helpful in gait training include:
- Seated marching
- Knee extension from a seated position
- Toe taps
- Raising knees toward chest
- Flamingo stands
- Side leg raises
- Heel raises
- Walking on a treadmill
- Stepping over objects
