Occupational Therapy

What to Expect at Your Visits

We create personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs and goals. For example, our occupational therapists may help stroke survivors regain dressing independence or assist children with developmental delays in improving fine motor skills for writing.

Your first appointment at our Flemington, NJ office begins with an initial evaluation. We review all medical documents and conduct a physical evaluation. Together with our Occupational Therapist, you will create an exercise plan and discuss goals.

Subsequent sessions focus on working towards those goals. Sarah employs a multi-dimensional approach to evaluate and treat her patients. Your Occupational Therapy care at A Life in Balance includes a comprehensive evaluation, customized intervention plan, and outcomes evaluation to ensure your goals are met. 

Collaboration with Physical Therapy & Massage Therapy

While physical therapy focuses on movement and rehabilitation, occupational therapy complements this by focusing on functional abilities. Physical therapists and occupational therapists often work together, as their goals are complementary. This collaboration ensures that individuals receive comprehensive care that addresses both their movement and functional needs. So we may recommend you schedule sessions with our Physical Therapy team. We also may suggest you make appointments with our Massage Therapist. It can help alleviate body pain and help you relax after a session.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an occupation?

Occupations are anything that “occupies” your time! This refers to activities you want to do (like playing sports, riding a bike, or crocheting) and need to do (such as getting dressed, cooking meals, or completing work/school tasks) on a daily basis.

I have a hand injury. Would I see a PT or an OT?

Both physical therapists and occupational therapists can assist with hand injuries. While the primary goal is to rehabilitate the hand injury, an occupational therapist might be a better fit because our hands play a crucial role in daily function. If you are struggling with fine motor skills like buttoning your shirt, reaching for items in overhead cabinets, buckling a seatbelt, or using keys to unlock a door, seeing an occupational therapist could be beneficial. We can help you modify how you do tasks with your hands to make it easier during your recovery.

What is Adaptive Equipment? 

During rehabilitation, some daily tasks may be difficult to perform in the usual way. Occupational therapists specialize in helping people modify task performance, which can involve using adaptive equipment. For example:

• If you've had a hip replacement and can't reach your feet to put on socks, a sock aid may be helpful.

• If a hand injury has caused decreased strength, a wide-grip jar opener could be beneficial.

• If managing buttons is challenging, a button hook might be useful.

Occupational therapists can assess the most appropriate adaptive equipment for you and provide resources for obtaining it.

How can Occupational Therapy help with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or Dementia?

Occupational Therapy can play a crucial role in helping individuals with neurodegenerative diseases such as these to maintain their independence and quality of life—through a personalized intervention plan.

• For Parkinson's Disease, OT focuses on improving mobility, balance, and coordination, as well as addressing activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, eating, and bathing. OT can also help with cognitive impairments and provide strategies to manage tremors and enhance fine motor skills.

• In MS, OT aims to address fatigue, mobility issues, and cognitive changes. OT interventions may include energy conservation techniques, adaptive equipment recommendations, and strategies to improve physical and cognitive functioning.

• For individuals with Dementia, OT focuses on enhancing cognitive abilities, memory, and functional independence. OT can help create a safe environment, establish routines, and provide support for caregivers.