Occupational therapy (OT) helps people of all ages participate in the daily activities (“occupations”) that are meaningful to them, whether it’s self-care, work, or hobbies. This is achieved by teaching new skills, restoring abilities, recommending adaptive equipment, and modifying environments to improve function and quality of life.
In concussion rehabilitation, PTs focus on physical recovery—improving strength, balance, and endurance with exercises and movement-based therapies. OT focuses on functional daily activities, helping patients manage cognitive and physical fatigue, decrease sensory sensitivity, and re-learn or adapt to tasks at work, school, and home using cognitive strategies and environmental modifications. OT can also provide strategies for improving memory, sleep quality and anxiety management.
Based upon the client’s concerns, OTs can provide standardized assessments for memory, executive function skills, sleep quality, anxiety and depression. Non-standardized assessments for post-concussion symptoms and fatigue are also part of the assessment process. Although OT’s cannot diagnose medical concerns, they can provide a customized assessment protocol to look at underlying concerns more closely, and guide the intervention process.
Yes! OT can help with your return to work, school or activity process. As clients improve with their post-concussion symptoms, and increase in their physical and cognitive stamina, OT can be involved with contacting the employer or insurance company with gradual return to work plans, filling out Functional Ability Forms, and recommending any needed accommodations. OTs also address physical and mental health barriers, manage work-related stress, and collaborate with employers to create a safe and supportive work environment.
Yes! OT can be very helpful after a stroke or a neurological injury such as a concussion. OTs help by enabling patients to regain independence and improve their quality of life through a combination of physical, cognitive, and emotional support.
OTs use a personalized, holistic approach, assessing needs and goals to improve functional skills like:
- Bathing and dressing
- Develop cognitive strategies for memory and problem-solving
- Restore motor control
- Manage symptoms such as fatigue and sleep problems
- Adapt the home and work environment with assistive devices and strategies.