Benefits of Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that is based on the engagement in normal activities of day to day life to enable participation in these activities despite of limitations or impairments in mental or physical functions. Examples of these activities include self-care, leisure, work, community and domestic activities. Here are some of the advantages that can be realized from using occupational therapy.
1. Better understanding of your condition
Occupational therapy provides the patients the chance to understand their condition. You are going to be well informed about the advantages and risks of your condition. For instance, if you are obese or overweight, by using OT you will lessen the stress that is being exerted on the legs, joints and back by the excess weight. OT will also provide adequate knowledge for selecting good pair of shoes for proper foot care. As you understand you condition better, it is highly likely that you will learn certain therapeutic techniques to assist you lessen your discomfort.
2. Enhances physical and mental health
Occupational therapy will assist you to enhance both your physical and mental health through exercising. Using the physical exercises from OT, the treatment of any condition is going to be accelerated, leading to a quicker recovery. Exercise is one of the most important parts of most courses of treatment and the same applies for occupational therapy. The exercise programs usually vary depending on each OT patient and they are supposed to be practiced daily.
3. Effective techniques
Thermal modalities are very effective techniques that are used in OT. It normally involves the use of ice packs or heating pads to provide relief from local pains. This method assists in relaxing the muscle spasm found around any inflamed joints. The rest method of OT relieves both inflammation and joint pain.
Even though occupational therapy is quite efficient, the only disadvantage is its cost. It is quite expensive and therefore out of reach of many people.
