Search Results for: blog physical therapy overview

Occupational Therapy Can Be “A Big Blast”

Many kids who have special needs require occupational or physical therapy. Parents may have a difficult time finding therapists who can provide what their child needs. Another problem is that sometimes, kids find this sort of therapy to be less than fun to do. A Big Blast Project can make occupational and physical therapy fun. Occupational therapy is defined as: “the therapeutic use of work, self-care, and play activities to increase development and prevent disability. It may include adaptation of task or environment to achieve maximum independence and to enhance the quality of life”. Physical therapy can be described as … Continue reading →

Occupational Therapy: Overview

Occupational therapy is similar in some ways to physical therapy, and different in others. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy “enables people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health and prevent—or live better with—illness, injury or disability.” (From the AOTA website.) Occupational therapy can help patients develop or regain the fine-motor skills that allow us to do everyday tasks like tying shoes, writing, and using utensils. Other goals of occupational therapy may be improving basic reasoning skills or compensating for a permanent loss of function. Who needs occupational therapy? Patients … Continue reading →

Getting the Most Benefit from Physical Therapy

If you choose to undergo physical therapy, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. Here are some tips to help you get the most benefit from your treatment! Remember that this is an active treatment — physical therapy is not something done TO you. It is something you take part in. If you’re not going to do the work, you are wasting your time and the physical therapist’s time. Do your homework. Again, it’s a waste of time if you only put the effort in when your physical therapist is watching — your progress will be very slow … Continue reading →

Types of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is an umbrella that encompasses many specialties. Here are a few of the most common areas of specialization for physical therapists. Pediatric physical therapy deals with congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, neuroskeletal, and other disorders in infants, children, and adolescents. A pediatric physical therapist can help detect, diagnose, treat, and manage a wide variety of conditions, including: Cerebral palsy Spina bifida Developmental delays Pediatric physical therapy focuses on balance and coordination, improving motor skills (both fine motor and gross motor), building strength and endurance, and sensory integration. At the other end of life, geriatric physical therapists deals with aging and … Continue reading →

Physical Therapy: Overview

Physical therapy deals with treating problems with the musculoskeletal system. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapists are “experts in the science of healing and the art of caring”. From infants to seniors, many people can benefit from physical therapy. The main goal of physical therapy is to promote whole body function. This can include restoring mobility, improving mobility and managing pain. Treatment is designed to give the best possible body function to each individual patient. Physical therapy can help people return to independence after a serious injury or illness. On the healing side, physical therapy is used … Continue reading →

What is a TENS Unit?

One option for managing pain is a TENS unit. TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation… a scary name (electrical what now?) for a helpful therapy. How it works, in brief: electrodes are stuck to the skin in the area where a patient is experiencing pain. The TENS unit delivers an electrical current to the skin and tissues. Intensity of the current can vary; users generally report feeling tingling or pins and needles in the area. Why it works: experts believe that the electrical current disrupts the pain by giving a different sensation to the skin and tissues. The current … Continue reading →

Home Modifications for People with Low Vision

Low vision may restrict you from certain activities, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be independent and active! Here are some tips that may help make things easier around the house if you have low vision. Mark everyday, often used items with bright colors. Try colored electrical tape or neon sticky notes to make certain items easier to find. Increase lighting in workspaces and reading areas. (One of the best things my grandmother ever got from a physical therapist was a portable, bright light she uses when checking her blood sugar levels.) Increase lighting in stairwells, hallways, and other travel … Continue reading →

Returning to Work After an Injury

After my recent research into physical therapy and occupational therapy, one theme that came up was going back to work after an injury. You’ve had your time off, you’ve seen the docs, you’ve recovered from surgery and done the therapy… now it’s time to start getting back to your old life. Transitional work may be part of that plan. This is the space between recovery and fully recovered, where you may be able to do part (but not all) of your job tasks. During this transitional period, there is often a danger of further injury. Your health care professionals (including … Continue reading →

What Are Invisible Illnesses?

“But you don’t look/act sick.” Have you heard these words or said them to a friend? Visible illnesses and conditions are easy to spot because the person may use a device like crutches or braces to assist in movement. They may limp, have an unusual posture, or make expressions of pain (physically or vocally) when they move. An invisible illness comes with few (if any) outward signs most (if not all) of the time. Some examples of invisible illness include: Asthma Depression Chronic pain Fibromyalgia Heart disease Diabetes Seizure disorders Osteoporosis Many people think of illness in terms of short-term … Continue reading →

Help for Kids with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Jodee Kulp, adoptive parent of a teen-ager with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)and foster mother of others, is the author of Our FAScinating Journey, subtitled The Best We Can Be: Keys to Brain Potential Along the Path of Prenatal Brain Injury. This 300-page guide is both a memoir of the Kulp family’s experiences and efforts to help their daughter and an incredibly varied compilation of information and resources. The book begins with an introduction to the Kulp family, how they adopted Liz, a failure-to-thrive infant, and fostered Dave, diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Reactive Attachment Disorder, in his infancy … Continue reading →