I have officially started at Suburban Therapy Center as the first occupational therapist. It has been a wonderful journey to get to this point. I am anxious to start my career as an occupational therapist, as I have worked so hard to get here. I have been an employee at Suburban for many years working at the front desk, in the billing department, and most recently as a physical therapy aide.
Everyone at Suburban was very supportive of me while I was studying for the Occupational Therapy State Board Exam and aiding part time. I am very happy to be here as an official therapist team member and part of Suburban's positive reputation.
What do occupational therapists do?
Occupational therapists are trained to rehabilitate upper extremity injuries including:
• Rotator Cuff injuries and/or repair
• Post fracture rehabilitation
• Hand injuries including splinting
OTs also assist patients with activities of daily living in both neurological and orthopedic populations.
Activities of Daily Living:
Often after any kind of trauma (stroke, motor vehicle accident, heart attack, sports injuries, etc.) the individual may find difficulty performing their daily routine from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed. Some of these activities include:
- Bathing
- Brushing hair/teeth
- Getting dressed
- Participating in hobbies/recreational activities/volunteer work
- House hold chores
- Doing dishes
- Folding laundry
- Retrieving items from cabinets
- Lifting heavier objects
As you think about your own lifestyle and what is important to you, you may find many other topics for this list. Occupational therapists are knowledgeable about different kinds of adapted equipment making it easier to perform certain tasks while going through a rehabilitation program.
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