The Wonderfully Holistic Practice of Occupational Therapy

We all know that health is important to us.  But what does it mean to be healthy?  And how can we achieve it?  So this leads us to Occupational Therapy.   Do you know that Occupational Therapy is a wonderful and holistic approach to health care that benefits infants to the elderly?  Taking into consideration the patient’s physical, emotional, and cognitive needs, occupational therapists help him regain or maintain his independence and quality of life.  So let us explore occupational therapy in this blog post and how we use it in various settings to promote health and wellness.

What is occupational therapy?  Its origins, unique features, and goals.

Occupational therapy (OT) is a field of healthcare that originated in the early twentieth century.  It promotes the ability of individuals to participate meaningfully in activities, or occupations, that make up daily life.  The unique features of OT are its resourceful and holistic approach to patient-centered care.  And it encompasses primary care settings such as home health and schools to complex tertiary settings such as hospitals and long-term care. 

OT interventions cover physical, cognitive, emotional, sensory, and psychosocial factors that mediate an individual’s successful engagement in life roles.  The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable individuals to reach their highest level of meaningful activity.   And it includes reducing their stress levels to experiencing overall well-being.

How does occupational therapy benefit patients in primary care settings?

Occupational Therapy is an invaluable resource for patients in primary care settings.  It takes a holistic approach to patient care, enabling practitioners to view the person as a whole rather than tackling each symptom separately. 

Hence, OT addresses all components of health and functioning, including physical, cognitive, psychological, and social.  Working collaboratively with the patient and other healthcare professionals, occupational therapists strive to create a tailored plan to improve the patient’s overall function and independence.  With an evidence-based approach, OT helps address current concerns while reducing future risks.  And occupational therapists work diligently to ensure reasonable goals are established, accomplished, and maintained over time.

How does occupational therapy benefit patients in tertiary care settings in the community and at home?

Occupational Therapy is a vital resource for patients in tertiary care settings and beyond.  Through the holistic practice of careful, patient-centered assessments, occupational therapists provide tailored strategies for self-care and goal-chasing in the home and community setting.  

In addition, occupational therapists work with interdisciplinary teams to ensure an improved quality of life and overall successful outcomes for patients.  The specialised care ranges from elder assistance within their home environments to complex physical disabilities requiring adapted daily living tasks. 

As a result, patients report corresponding increases in both psychological well-being and individual resilience due to the tailored services they receive.  And OT gives them the autonomy needed to navigate through activities that had previously presented obstacles.

The unique perspectives that make occupational therapy so holistic 

Occupational Therapy is incredibly different from the medical model of healthcare that people are used to.  As it takes a preventive approach, it focuses on futureproofing patient care and well-being.  And occupational therapists recognise that occupation impacts how we interact with ourselves, our peers, and our environment.   With this insight, they have a unique ability to improve patients’ life quality from primary through tertiary settings.  By recognising this spectrum of needs, they implement preventative methods designed to identify risks and prevent long-term medical complications before they occur.   As such, occupational therapy has become an essential preventive force driving health improvement in society.

Occupational therapists are one of the most creative and resourceful healthcare professionals in personalising treatments

Occupational Therapists are clinicians renowned for their resourcefulness when it comes to treatment and patient care.  They are known to be equipped with an array of props, from everyday objects to specially built tools.  Such tools are intended for personalised treatments and solutions that fit an individual’s strengths, capabilities, and goals.  And their keen observation makes them well-suited for creating such proactive solutions stemming from a holistic approach when working with clients on physical, psychological, and social needs.  So this novel therapeutic approach allows occupational therapists to aid patients in achieving their full function and quality of life.

Conclusion

Occupational Therapy is more than physical health.  It empowers people to emotionally and socially adjust to changes in their life.  Whether it’s a traumatic accident or injury that requires physical and mental rehabilitation, or a sudden shift in work due to chronic conditions or aging.  And occupational therapists are trained to support people with the tools they need to reclaim and reassume their lives.

Hence, occupational therapists are invaluable in providing holistic treatments from primary care settings to tertiary care ones.  Compared to other healthcare professionals, occupational therapists are seen as creative and resourceful.  They create personalised health plans for every patient based on widely gained knowledge from observation rather than just simulations or test results.  If you’re looking for a professional healthcare practitioner who utilise a holistic approach that values the personal objectives of patients, Occupational Therapy may be perfect for you!  Reach out today to find out more about Occupational Therapy from our OT-led rehab practice for further exploration into this groundbreaking healthcare field.  So feel free to Whatsapp us for a free consult.