Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation Medicine

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in rehabilitation medicine focus on maximizing function and independence in daily living skills. Treatment may involve activities to improve arm and hand function, vision, cognition, community reintegration or mobility. Different approaches we employ are restorative therapy (for example, working to improve arm and hand movement following a stroke) as well as teaching self-management, compensatory and adaptive techniques. 

OTs provide comprehensive evaluations and work with patients and families to identify goals that are important to their daily function, values and life roles. The following are all possibilities with occupational therapy:

  • Helping a person adapt to one-handed dressing
  • Teaching someone with memory issues ways to compensate for return to work
  • Facilitating movement in a patient's paralyzed arm
  • Helping a mother hold her child again
  • Rehabilitating the hand of an injured worker 
  • Retraining coordination for the woodcarver, pianist or gamer

Advanced Certification  & Training

Our occupational therapists are highly specialized with advanced certifications and training in many areas of patient care including: aquatics, assistive technologies, brain injury, cancer rehabilitation, custom splinting, driver assessment, geriatrics and aging in place, hand therapy/upper extremity orthopedics (wrist, elbow, shoulder), home accessibility, inhibitory and serial casting, lactation counseling, LSVT BIG, lymphedema, neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT), orientation & mobility for the visually impaired and vital stim. We utilize some of the latest technologies and robotics with our patients.  Many of our staff have additional training and experience with the following equipment: Biocord/RedCord, Bioness H200, INMotion Arm Robot, Armeo, JAECO Mobile Arm Supports, Pilates Rehab Reformer, Physiotouch, RTI FES cycling, SAEBO splints & the Thor Laser.  

Conditions We Treat

Conditions we specialize in treating include:

  • Musculoskeletal
  • Upper Extremity Orthopedics (hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder)
  • Neck and back pain or dysfunction 
  • Neurological
    • Stroke
    • Brain Injury
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Parkinson’s Disease and other movement disorders
    • Alzheimer’s / Dementia
    • Cerebral Palsy and other pediatric acquired physical disabilities
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Cancer Rehab
    • General Rehabilitation
    • Amputations
    • Burns
    • Falls/Balance
    • Deconditioning
  • Lymphedema

Specialty Programs

Our specialty programs include:

  • Concussion: Treating headache, head/neck trauma and cognitive issues related to injury (ie: motor vehicle or work related accidents)
  • Drive-Ability: Assessing medical fitness to drive, evaluations for all ages
  • LSVT Big & Loud and PWR!: Exercise programs for Parkinson’s patients
  • Bones In Balance: An education & exercise program for osteoporosis
  • SAF-R: Senior Assessment of Fall Risk, balance training & home safety education
  • MPerform: Performing artist’s rehabilitation & therapy program
  • Brachial Plexus: Interdisciplinary program for assessment and treatment of BPL (brachial plexus lesions) & peripheral nerve
  • Breast Feeding Support: Assisting with plugged duct issues for the breastfeeding mother

Make an Appointment

If you are calling for a physical, occupational or speech therapist, please call our therapy call center at (734) 936-7070. For other contact and appointment information related to Rehabilitation Medicine, visit our Make an Appointment with Rehabilitation Medicine page.