Occupational Therapy

An occupational therapist (OT) is a healthcare provider who specializes in assisting individuals of all ages to overcome challenges and improve their ability to perform everyday activities.

Using a holistic approach, occupational therapists work with patients experiencing a range of physical, cognitive, mental, or developmental conditions to return to meaningful activity, whether it’s work, or family role even play!

Occupational therapists assess your functional abilities and limitations, create personalized treatment plans, and implement interventions to address specific challenges. OTs help you with activities of daily living, work-related tasks, and cognitive exercises and recommend adaptive equipment or modifications to support independence and participation in meaningful activities. 

Depending on the occupational therapist or clinic, services can include:  

• Hospital discharge planning & transition 
• Home safety assessment & modifications  
• Mobility assessments & equipment prescription 

• Return to work planning 
• Ergonomic assessments 
• Brain injury rehabilitation 

Occupational therapists assess the environment, necessary tasks, and individual skills while educating the client and their family. Through this process, occupational therapists aim to achieve the following goals: 

• Enhancing independence in everyday activities 
• Promoting improved mobility & reduce the risk of falls 
• Supporting safe and timely returns to work 
• Fostering positive coping strategies regarding chronic health conditions 
• Creating compensatory tools to address cognitive limitations 

In summary, occupational therapists employ a holistic approach to improve overall well-being and functional abilities, enabling patients to lead fulfilling and independent lives. 

Both are allied health services that can be beneficial. But while occupational therapy and physiotherapy both focus on rehabilitation and improving function, they have different areas of emphasis and expertise.

Occupational therapy aims to help patients regain independence in daily activities despite challenges, while physiotherapy primarily focuses on treating musculoskeletal injuries and improving physical mobility and strength.

Occupational therapists consider the broader impact of a condition on a person’s life, while physiotherapists concentrate on physical impairments and restoration of movement.

You can use the WELL Clinics website to find an occupational therapist near you. Select the button below to book an occupational therapy appointment.