Celebrating Occupational Therapy

By: Karen James, OT, CHT

Happy OT Month! Do you ever stop to think about how much you use your hands? As humans, our opposable thumbs have helped us evolve. We do everything with our hands, which are special with intricate bones, muscles and tendons. 2017 marked the 100th anniversary of Occupational Therapy beginning as a healthcare profession. I was thrilled to be there for that celebration. I am so glad to work for The Centers, OrthoMaryland because the practice recognizes what a beneficial and special rehabilitation service that OT is for patients young and old. Did you know that Occupational Therapy:

• Provides rehabilitation from arm or hand injuries and conditions.
• Focuses on “occupation”. Not to be confused with a job or career, occupation in this sense includes many elements of daily life including self-care, dexterity, kitchen activities, work, play, and organizational skills.
• Starts with an individual evaluation to discover the patient’s values and needs and find what the person wants to “get back to”.
• Can help restore psychological, physical and social well-being through rehabilitation of occupations or activities. Watch this segment from CBS Sunday Morning titled “How Busy Hands Can Alter Brain Chemistry” to learn more.

Karen James, OT, CHT is an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist at The Centers, OrthoMaryland. Karen is a member of our rehabilitation team, providing OT for a variety of hand and arm concerns.