Why Do You Need Occupational Therapy After Surgery?
If you've had major surgery and have some orthopedic rehabilitation ahead of you, then your healthcare team might suggest that you have some occupational therapy. How does this therapy work and what are its benefits?
What Is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy helps people adapt to everyday living after surgery, illness, or accident has impaired their ability to do everyday tasks. While this orthopedic therapy can target many different areas of your life, it often focuses on key activities like personal care, household tasks, everyday mobility, working, and driving.
During your therapy, you will work with one or more orthopedic occupational therapists. They work on areas that you struggle with now.
So, for example, you might learn how to improve or regain fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You might learn how to move certain parts of your body again or how to regain some balance control.
As well as physical therapy, occupational therapists can also recommend adaptive devices. For example, if you have problems with your hands, then you might find it hard to cook and eat. Your therapist can talk to you about various devices, such as two-handed cups, tin can and bottle openers, angled cutlery, and kettle tippers, to make kitchen jobs easier.
Why Have Occupational Therapy?
In some cases, occupational therapy helps you cope in the short term until you are fully recovered. In others, it helps you learn how to adapt to live your life more effectively in the face of permanent changes.
In either case, this therapy makes your life easier. It improves your quality of life and boosts your confidence at a time when you might not feel good about yourself.
Your therapists help you find new ways to do tasks you can no longer do. You can start to live a more independent life again.
Once you regain the ability to look after yourself, you will start to feel better psychologically. You won't have to rely on other people as much to help you with simple tasks. You might be able to go home if you are still in the hospital or even return to work.
Occupational therapy also helps your overall recovery. Your physical rehabilitation can help you regain strength, mobility, balance, and vision.
You'll also ensure that you stay safe in your home. If you have problems doing everyday tasks because you have mobility issues, then you might have a higher risk of accidents such as falls. If you can find ways to do these tasks more safely, then you stay safe.
To learn more about the benefits of occupational therapy, contact an orthopedic rehabilitation clinic.
