You have probably heard of the term ‘occupational therapy’, but might not be 100% familiar with what it actually means or entails. This article aims to explain all the basics, namely: What, Where, When, Why, and Who!
What is occupational therapy?
The World Federation of Occupational Therapists defines OT as a “client-centred health profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement.”
Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions is that occupational therapy is just for ‘getting people back to work’. However, it actually applies to all forms of daily life, such as domestic chores, leisure and hobbies, and anything else which you may do as part of your normal routine.
Where can I find occupational therapy in Miami?
Hands on Therapy Services provides occupational therapy in Miami on site at our office at 7902 NW 36th St, Suite 207, Doral, FL 33166. It is conveniently located not far from the NW 36th Street and Palmetto Expressway crossing. If you need directions, feel free to Contact Us.
When do people need occupational therapy?
People need occupational therapy for a variety of reasons. In short, it can be provided to anyone who needs assessment or treatment relating to their daily activities. For example, perhaps someone had a work-related injury and requires rehabilitation in order to return to being able to work. Or perhaps a work-environment needs an assessment to determine if employees there can work there over a prolonged period of time without risking injury. OT is even provided to children who require assistance to be able to fully participate in school. The list is almost endless!
Why do people need occupational therapy?
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, OT is provided for the following reasons:
- Customized treatment programs to improve one’s ability to perform daily activities
- Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations
- Performance skills assessments and treatment
- Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
- Guidance to family members and caregivers.
Who is our Occupational Therapist?
Hoang Tran is an Occupational Therapist (OT/L) and Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). Graduating from the University of Florida in 2000 with a master’s degree in occupational therapy, she first gained experience in acute care settings of hospitals such as Parkway and Cleveland Clinic, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation centers. In 2001, she started working in acute care at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, then moved into the senior outpatient therapy setting five years later. It was right after accepting the outpatient position that she sat for the CHT boards. In 2006 she obtained her national board certification as a Certified Hand Therapist and continued to expand her area of practice in the outpatient setting. Read more about our Occupational Therapist in Miami.
