Occupational Therapy Services
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapists treat inured, ill or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as, maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.
For example, activities to build fine motor skills might include picking up things with tweezers. Exercises to improve gross motor skills might include jumping jacks or running an obstacle course. For someone who struggles with motor planning, therapists might work on daily routines like getting dressed.
What is the difference between Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT)?
The most basic difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy is that a PT focuses on improving the patient's ability to move their body, whereas an OT focuses on improving the patient's ability to perform activities of daily living, work tasks, recreational activities, or any other important life functions.
Occupational Therapy at RGH offers treatment for:
Common Conditions
- Arthritis
- Hand therapy including all finger, hand and wrist injuries or after surgery
- Joint injuries including finger, hand, write and elbow
- Joint replacement of finger, hand, wrist, and elbow
- Muscle weakness of the upper extremities
- Post-op rehabilitation for finger, hand, wrist, and elbow
- Worker's compensation injuries
Neurological
- Stroke, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or transient ischemic attacks (TIA)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Other neurological diseases
Treatment and Tests Performed include:
- Adaptive equipment training
- Training for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Body mechanics, posture, and joint protection training
- Coordination training
- Electrical stimulation /TENS
- Heat and cold pack therapy
- Improving motor skills such as fine motor and hand-eye coordination
- Joint mobilization and manipulation
- Therapeutic exercise
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Self-care routine planning and assistance
- Splinting for post-op, pain and deformity
- Fall prevention training
Occupational therapists are trained to work with a variety of diagnoses including traumatic brain injury, autism spectrum disorder, stroke, cerebral palsy, burns, fractures, spinal cord injury, orthopedic impairments, sensory processing disorders, and developmental delays.
How can I find an Occupational Therapist?
If you think occupational therapy could help you or a family member, ask your provider to refer you to a specialist.
How do I schedule an appointment with an Occupational Therapist at RGH?
First, you will need a physician's referral for occupational therapy. You can visit an RGH family health provider by calling (575) 3456-6652 or (575) 934-0944. You can also visit your primary health care provider and ask for a referral to RGH Occupational Therapy services.
How can I get a consultation?
If you would prefer to have a consultation to find out if Occupational Therapy could improve your health, call (575) 226-7498.
Where can I get Occupational Therapy services?
Occupational Therapy services are available through Roosevelt General Hospital. The off-site facility is located at 1400 South Ave O Street in Portales, New Mexico. For additional information please call (575) 226-7498.