WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
Occupational Therapy In Soft Tissue Treatment
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapists are health professionals who enable people to overcome limitations they may experience in their daily occupations. Occupational Therapists working in the area of soft tissue treatment focus on the interrelationship between occupation and soft tissue function. A State Registration Board governs Occupational Therapy practice in WA and QLD.
Causes
Soft Tissue dysfunction may be a result of major incidents that have occurred throughout life, such as a car accident or sports injury. Or they may be a result of more subtle influences that have accumulated over time, such as emotional stress, poor posture or hormonal imbalances.
Soft Tissue
Soft tissue is a collective term for muscles, tendons, fascia and ligaments.
Who can Benefit
Individuals who experience one or more of the following:
- Headaches/migraines
- Reduced movement
- Mid/upper back pain
- Sprains and strains
- Low back pain
- Asthma and allergies
- Joint ache/pain
- Fatigue
- Tight/weak muscles
- Medical conditions (e.g. Fibromyalgia, arthritis)
- Sporting injuries and prevention
People interested in maintaining an optimal level of function
before experience symptoms will also benefit from care.
Optimum Function
Optimum Function is being able to complete all desired
occupations to the best of your ability.
Over time through the many and various stressors placed upon
our bodies, we can begin to exhibit a decline in function.
These stressors can come in the form of physical, chemical or emotional and directly affect our ability to be the very best that we can be.
Eventually your decline in function may result in:
- Pain
- Loss of movement
- Fatigue
- Decreased level of general health
As your function improves with Occupational
Therapy
treatment you will experience:
- Less pain
- More energy
- Increased movement
- Increased feeling of well being
Wellness care is the
prevention
of dysfunction
Treatment
A wide variety of neuro-muscular techniques are used by Occupational Therapists to enhance the functioning of the neuromusculoskeletal system.
The aim of these techniques is to enhance the spinal muscular system in order to influence not only symptoms but to effectively deal with the causes of dysfunction.
Neurophysiologically based stretching and strengthening programs, utilizing biokinesiology principles, will be incorporated to assist in restoring optimal movement patterns and affecting the health and function of soft tissue structures.
If deemed necessary clinically based individual ergonomic assessment and worksite evaluations will ensure that the working environment is set up to minimise stress on the body and promote efficiency.
Client education will demonstrate the affects
of
posture and methods to minimize physical
stressors on the body to optimize body function.
General Information
Occupational Therapists complete a four to five year Bachelor or Masters Degree program including 1000 hours of extensive clinical training.
Health Central Occupational Therapists are committed to lifelong learning through a system of mandatory Continuing Professional Development.
Rebates are claimable for OT services from all private health insurance funds. The amount of rebate will vary depending on the insurer and the individual’s level of cover.
You do not need a referral from any other practitioner to see an Occupational Therapist.
Services can also be provided for people with existing worker’s compensation or motor vehicle accident claims but this is only with a referral from a general practitioner or medical specialist.
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