Occupational therapy (OT) helps individuals with disabilities improve their ability to carry out daily activities, including self-care, work, school and leisure. A patient’s difficulty may be due to pain from injury or illness, developmental or learning disabilities, psychosocial dysfunctions or age-related factors. The goal of occupational therapy is to help patients achieve independent, productive and fulfilling lives to the best of their ability.

OT may be used to treat a wide variety of painful or limiting conditions, including:

• Repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis

• Chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome and lupus
  
  
• Injuries from falls, car accidents or other trauma (e.g., fractures, amputations, head injuries, burns)
  
  
• Stroke, heart attack, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other cardiovascular and lung conditions
  
  
• Rehabilitation after joint replacement or other surgery

• Arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout
  
  
• Hand injuries and conditions, such as skier’s thumb (torn ulnar collateral ligament) and trigger finger
  
  
• Birth injuries, birth defects and developmental delays
  
  
• Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis
  
  
• Causes of back pain (e.g., spinal cord injuries, spinal stenosis)

• Sports injuries such as rotator cuff injuries and tennis elbow
  
  
• Diabetes
  
  
• Senile dementia
  
  
• Psychological conditions

Occupational therapy focuses on human growth and development, with emphasis placed on the societal, emotional and physiological consequences of an illness or injury. It deals with many facets of disability (e.g., how diseases and injuries work, physical and psychological factors of being disabled) and attempts to help patients rehabilitate from many painful conditions or develop strategies to help compensate for loss of function.

OT uses a variety of treatment methods. Therapy often focuses on improving a patient’s ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADLs). These include self-care tasks, such as bathing, toilet needs and dressing. Other activities may include tasks specifically related to the patient’s life (e.g., housekeeping chores, job duties).

In addition, occupational therapists may examine a person’s home or workplace to determine changes that can be made to improve the ability to carry out tasks with less pain or more independence. In some cases, occupational therapy may incorporate ergonomics, the scientific study of the interaction between people and their work environment. Ergonomically designed objects are intended to be better adapted to the shape of the human body or to correct the user’s posture.

Occupational therapy may be performed in a wide variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation centers
• Outpatient clinics
• Long-term care facilities
• Schools
• Home or community settings

Occupational therapy may also include teaching family members and caregivers how to maximize the patient's independence or care for the patient. Patients may be referred for occupational therapy by a primary care physician, orthopedist, rheumatologist (physician who specializes in arthritis and inflammatory diseases) or other physician.

Occupational therapy as a formal discipline originated in the early 20^th century. Lifesaving advances in medical care, veterans returning from World War I and an increasingly industrialized society created a greater need for rehabilitative treatment of disabled people. In 1917, a group of men and women founded the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy. Meaningful activity or occupations were viewed as important therapeutic tools for the disabled.

In its early years, occupational therapy focused primarily on hospital care, often providing programs for people institutionalized for life from injury or illness. Changing social needs (e.g., aging population, increases in chronic health problems) and heightened awareness of the connection between lifestyle and health has greatly expanded the field of occupational therapy.

To become a registered occupational therapist (OTR), an individual must complete a graduate degree in occupational therapy from an accredited educational program, complete a supervised clinical internship, pass a national certification examination and in most states must also undergo licensing requirements that include continuing education. Along with physical therapists, OTRs can choose to undergo additional training in hand therapy and, after passing an examination, become a certified hand therapist (CHT). Some occupational therapists choose to specialize in areas such as childhood developmental disorders, mental health, stroke rehabilitation or balance retraining.

Certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs), who treat patients under the supervision of an OTR, face similar requirements but earn a two-year degree. Occupational therapy aides, who are generally trained on the job, may help with tasks such as transporting patients and setting up equipment.