What does an Occupational Therapist do?

Health Matters is a weekly radio show sponsored by the Medicine Center Pharmacy on WHBC 1480 AM in Canton, Ohio. This episode pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss occupational therapy services from the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital with Emily Winstead.

During the month of April, Occupational Therapy Month recognizes all the benefits this specialized healthcare provides, but many of us do not know what an Occupational Therapist does or how their care benefits our lives.

When injury strikes or long-term wear of joints and muscles require rehabilitation, an occupational therapist (also known as OTs) provides the necessary exercises to get us back into our daily routines. Simply getting out of bed may be a challenge or moving from one position to another becomes a problem we need to overcome. OTs have studied the movements required to make these transitions happen safely and to retrain our newly repaired body part to do the job. They know the therapies to help improve weakened muscles and alternatives when others fail us.

For every age and ability, occupational therapists provide care to improve the quality of life for each patient.  This morning we will talk with Emily about the services an Occupational Therapist provides.

Tune in to this edition of Health Matters to Learn about Occupational Therapy:

1. What injuries or diagnoses might indicate a person needs the help of an occupational therapist and how do you evaluate those needs?

2. How has the Covid-19 Pandemic impacted occupational therapy practice?

3. What types of things would Occupational Therapy help with following a stroke?

4. How does OT differ from Physical and Speech therapy and how can they complement each other?

5. What is the purpose of Occupational Therapy following a total joint replacement?

Thanks for listening today! We’d like to remind our listeners, if you suspect you have a medical issue, please contact your healthcare provider. Thanks to our sponsors Studio Arts & Glass and Jenior Appraisals and LIquidations. As always, we thank our listeners for joining us on Health Matters with the Medicine Center Pharmacy. Have a healthy week and we’ll see you again next Friday right here on News Talk 1480 WHBC.