April is National Occupational Therapy Month
The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA) has designated the month of April as National Occupational Therapy Month. An occupational therapist is a healthcare professional who uses a holistic approach in order to help people restore daily functions of everyday life, and can help people of all ages, genders, and abilities get back to either doing the things they love to do or the things essential for living a life without pain or discomfort.
National Occupational Therapy Month began in 1980 and has gone through many changes with the field in the past couple of decades. Occupational therapy has grown with the advent of scientific and technological advances as it has incorporated preventative measures with patients along with standard rehabilitation, and as the population gets older, occupational therapists will be needed to ensure their patients can maintain their everyday lifestyle.
The National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy defines an occupational therapist as a professional who “assists the client to regain function or adapt to changes by assessing and addressing the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, and environmental aspects of recovery”. An occupational therapist will diagnose a new patient and find out what life goals or activities have been impacted by an ailment or injury. Occupational therapists are determined to get their patients back to living life to the fullest, and an evaluation and diagnosis will help them figure out an individualized plan unique to the patient’s needs.
Occupational therapists differ from other physical therapists as they use a holistic approach to help patients and have them adapt to their environment and/or condition to assist in rehabilitation. The holistic approach is combined with science-based physical therapy in order to give the patient a complete preventative or rehabilitative program to get him or her back doing the activities they love! Celebrate National Occupational Therapy Month by using the hashtag #OTMonth or just tell an occupational therapist you know how much you appreciate what they do for the community!
Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy at (516) 798-3789 today!
