If you think “occupational therapy” and your mind immediately goes to working, you’re not the only one. Occupational therapy can be easily misunderstood, as the word “occupation” is often associated with words like “job” or “work”.
Occupational therapy began more than 100 years ago during World War I when injured soldiers were having difficulty returning home from war. Occupation, or daily activities that are meaningful to the individual, was used therapeutically to hasten recovery from disease or injury for these soldiers. In 1917, many occupational therapists used simple craft activities, such as basket weaving or leather making, to assist soldiers in creating new routines, habits, and returning to old roles. This simple activity empowered these soldiers to return to their lives independently. Since then occupational therapy has evolved to address physical and mental disability effects on participation of daily activities, routines, and roles. For example, diabetes is a condition that requires a change in daily routine by requiring one to check their blood sugar before each meal, a change in the type of food that one can eat (changing breakfast meals from having a biscuit each morning to a hard boiled egg), and due to physical limitations from diabetes it could affect one’s ability to participate in family activities.
Occupational therapy treatment is designed to identify the impact of disability on each individual patient’s life; including daily self-care, activities around the home, leisure, volunteering, child care, attending religious services, sleep hygiene, safely managing one’s environment, participation in physical intimacy, and coping with changes in daily life. Disability can impact individuals of all ages, ethnicity, and cultures. Once the areas disability impacts are identified, occupational therapy will work with the patient to further identify strategies to manage and overcome barriers to participation in these occupations.
Many patients with disability have received a lot of advice about managing their conditions, yet have difficulty with overcoming their barriers to return to activity. Have you ever heard the phrase, “easier said than done?” Implementing strategies to manage disability and return to activity can be daunting. Occupational therapy professionals are trained to break down each occupation, or meaningful activity, into small steps to identify each individual’s specific barrier. They use patient-specific teaching methods, such as providing alternatives if there are memory concerns to learning strategies.
How does your chronic pain effect your life? Are you able to fulfill your roles, such as parent? Can you identify the areas of your life that need to change, but aren’t sure how? Do you feel isolated by your chronic pain? Occupational therapy may be for you. We are here to empower you to return your most meaningful activities or occupations.
