Our occupational therapists (OTs) are specially trained to evaluate and treat your specific needs related to injuries of the hand. They assess and coordinate care for impairments related to your hand so you can return to work or recreational activities.
Occupation-based is an OT term that means the treatment approach is based on the client and what they want to be able to do in their daily life—basically, what is fulfilling and meaningful to the client. So, when an occupational therapist evaluates a client for a hand or arm injury, such as a broken finger, OT looks at not only how much strength and motion the client has in their hand, but what the client needs to be able to do with their hand in order to return to work, school or return to their every day activities.
OTs then use a variety of methods to help the client reach their goals. These may include manual stretching, strengthening, modalities like heat and cold applications, or custom splinting.
Occupational therapists can also assist in showing clients how to compensate or how to use adaptive equipment in order to function in their previous roles or until their bodies are able to function again at their previous level.
Diagnoses seen by occupational therapists in hand therapy include fractures of the hand/arm, lacerations and amputations, burns, surgical repairs of tendons and nerves, tendonitis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Ergonomics job site evaluations
Ergonomics is the science of fitting the job to the worker and adapting the work environment to the needs of employees. An overall goal of ergonomics is to promote health and safety and optimize productivity.
An ergonomic evaluation can identify risk factors at your job site and provide recommendations to help:
- Decrease production errors.
- Increase efficiency and productivity.
- Compliance with government regulation.
- Reduce worker discomfort.
- Reduce costs.
- Improve safety/decrease injury and illness.
- Decrease lost time.
- Decreased labor turnover.
The ergonomic evaluation includes evaluation and quantification of work site risk factors, recommendation of engineering and administrative controls to reduce the identified risk conditions, and education of management and workers to reduce those risk conditions. Our occupational therapists are trained in this area and are available to come to your work place to evaluate your specific needs. With coordination from your physician and employer, your work station can be assessed for needs related to improving your ability to carry out your work safely and with less stress or strain on your body.