A significant number of adults and children either have or develop painful health conditions that hinder the ability to perform daily tasks. The goal of occupational therapy (OT) is to help these people develop a greater level of independence in their daily lives. Occupational therapists offer creative solutions or alternatives to patients for performing routine actions. Potential benefits of occupational therapy may include:

• Improved ability to perform daily activities
• Reduced pain
• Increased strength and flexibility
• Education about the source of pain
• Strategies to increase productivity and prevent injury
• Individualized treatment
• Performance assessments
• Increased self-esteem
• Family/caregiver assistance
• Recommendations for adaptive equipment
• Home, workplace or school evaluations

Although education and treatment for painful conditions may be helpful, the functional ability of patients with certain progressive or incurable diseases may have limited progress with occupational or other therapy. Some methods (e.g., splints) may reduce pain but decrease mobility or cause other adverse effects contrary to the overall purpose of occupational therapy.

Treatment modalities sometimes used in occupational therapy or physical therapy may cause injury if employed incorrectly.For example, misuse of ultrasound therapy or other types of thermotherapy can cause burns.

In some cases, skills or knowledge developed while in therapy may not be applied properly or consistently in home or work settings. This can potentially lead to increased pain or discomfort. Daily quality-of-life factors (e.g., stress, fatigue, disease status) may decrease the perceived effectiveness of occupational therapy or amplify patient perceptions of pain. Patients must be monitored for any changes that may require a re-evaluation by an occupational therapist.