Different Types of Occupational Therapy

It's fairly routine for individuals interested in a career in the medical field, yet not necessarily interested in being a nurse or doctor, to consider becoming a therapist.

However, therapy is such a broad specialty that individuals need a bit more detail. For example, there are literally dozens of different types of therapy jobs, including

? Physical Therapy
? Occupational Therapy
? Speech Therapy
? Massage Therapy
? Music Therapy
? Respiratory Therapy

The scope of occupational therapy jobs can be very broad as well. There are many different types of occupational therapists, all working to help their patients become functional in the daily aspects of life. Occupational therapists work with the disabled, the elderly, accident victims, individuals suffering from a variety of debilitating diseases and so on.

Here are just a couple of examples of the different types of occupational therapy jobs available. This is by no means a comprehensive list.

Special-needs Children

In schools and homes all across America, there is a growing need for occupational therapists to work with special-needs children. Sometimes these children have a physical disability; other times it's a learning disability. In other cases, both types of disabilities might be present. Either way, such children often have a difficult time being integrated into a regular classroom. Occupational therapy jobs exist to help these children overcome their challenges in order to be as functional as possible. Therapists working with special-needs children are employed in schools, hospitals, clinics and social service agencies.

The Elderly

Occupational therapy jobs that require working with the elderly are growing very quickly due to the aging population. These types of patients need something completely different because they usually have to learn new ways of doing things, as opposed to younger children learning tasks for the first time. An occupational therapist working in a nursing home, assisted living center, hospital or home health agency can go a long way in helping to relieve patients? pain and making their lives more productive and meaningful.

Accident Victims

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for accident victims to lose some functionality as a result of their injuries. Occupational therapists help such patients learn to adapt to their loss of function and find new ways of doing things. For example, someone involved in a car accident might lose his dominant arm as a result. He will struggle learning to do normal things with his non-dominant arm, but the occupational therapist can help by teaching him new ways of doing things with his remaining arm.

Occupational therapy jobs are as varied as the patients therapists see. It is an exciting career that offers long-term stability and excellent financial compensation. But of all the things occupational therapists like most about their jobs, at the top of the list is the ability to help those in need. They also welcome the opportunity to face, and overcome, brand-new challenges with every patient.

Is Physical Therapy Recommended for Shoulder Sprain?

The treatment for shoulder sprain involves sufficient rest, cold compresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain and most importantly ? physical therapy.

People looking for relief from shoulder sprain often ask the question: is physical therapy recommended for shoulder sprain? The answer to this question lies in first looking into the causes of the condition.

Causes and Symptoms of Shoulder Sprain

Shoulder sprain results from an injury to the soft tissues or ligaments that connect with the bones around the joint. In most cases, a fall, a direct blow to the region or a forced twist of the arm beyond its normal range of motion causes this condition. Other possibilities can be a poor posture maintained by the stressed arm for a prolonged period.

Apart from decreased ability to move the affected arm, one experiences significant pain with tenderness and swelling. The treatment for shoulder sprain involves sufficient rest, cold compresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain and most importantly ? physical therapy.

The Necessity of Physical Therapy for Recovery

Physical therapy plays a vital role in treating a sprained shoulder. It helps to ease stiffness and pain which arises from the growth of new tissues. Physiotherapists help patients perform gentle exercises that speed up the healing process by restoring flexibility, range of motion and strength to the injured shoulder. They monitor the exercise program to make sure that the exercises are carried out in a safe manner so as to avoid stress or injury that could delay the healing process. Some of the exercises that help patients with shoulder sprain are:

? Stretching exercises ? relieves muscle tension and maintains flexibility
? Rotator cuff exercises ? strengthens the rotator cuff muscles and stabilizes the shoulder

Therapeutic exercises are not recommended soon after the onset of the injury as it can cause further damage. Hence, it is delayed until the shoulder has healed. Some of the exercises can be performed at home.

Why Physical Therapy is recommended for Shoulder Sprain

? Prevents further injuries to the shoulder
? Increases blood circulation for fast healing
? Enhances flexibility to gradually restore full range of motion
? Helps in pain management

Most patients with mild to moderate shoulder sprains show improvement in a few weeks time. If the pain is severe, it would require a more intensive physical therapy rehabilitation program with advanced forms of exercise to promote faster healing.
If shoulder sprain is neglected, the condition aggravates and hampers day-to-day activities. In some cases, the lack of strength in the ligaments and muscles could lead to connective tissue disorders that cause loose joints or connective tissue disorders.
Where to Undergo Treatment?

There are therefore many reasons why physical therapy is recommended for shoulder pain. When it comes to treatment, the best care you can get for shoulder sprain is at multi-specialty pain management centers that use a multidisciplinary approach. The condition would be looked into by a team of experienced orthopedists and physical therapists that offers proper diagnosis and formulates effective treatment plans.