WHAT IS OCCUPATION THERAPY (O.T.)? 

It is the profession of rehabilitating patients who have been born with deformity conditions, patients who have gone through traumas like hand tendon, club feet, cerebral palsy e.t.c.

 HOW DOES OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY WORK?

An occupation therapy professional employs evidence based and scientifically researched intervention to empower patients' re-acquire lost impaired motor skills for independent daily living tasks performance e.g.-

1.     A child who has brain damage and is unable to sit, crawl or walk, can be empowered to stand, sit and crawl with no standby assistance. This is possible through the application of well defined neuro-development treatment techniques

3.     A patient who has injured hand tendons is trained on gradual strengthening of the injured tendons through fabrication of tendons repair, dynamic splint to fabrication tendons glide & strength.

     4.     An autistic child, who is notably inattentive is trained on how to modulate his/her sensor motor impulses through vestibular & sensory integration application techniques to aide him/her and facilitate the task. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OCCUPATION THERAPY AND PHYSIOTHERAPY? 

 There is a clear cut difference between occupational therapy and physiotherapy in that physiotherapist work with patients to facilitate strength of their weak muscles through exercise while the occupation therapist uses the motor skills e.g. through a bell, walking up stairs, writing, bell chipping with a golf club e.t.c. to strengthen the patient weak muscles & frequently make them gain confidence and ability to perform these skills.

 

The striking difference is that O.T's are trained to work with children unlike physiotherapist. It is then worth noting that due to these skills, occupational therapist generally concentrate in the upper extremity while physiotherapist concentrate in the lunar extrinities e.g. learn or re-learn to use the weak upper extremity to write, hold a cup, glass and dress (button/unbutton), put on sock using an assistive aid, while a physiotherapist enables a patient to strengthen the lower limb muscles to facilitate walking balance. 

In summary, the occupational therapist in rehabilitation discipline is usually referred to as the skills trainer while physiotherapist as a strength builder. In essence both professions do compliment each other in patient overall rehabilitation management. 

HOW CAN I GET TO SEE AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST? 

Occupation therapy services are now available at the hospital. Ordinarily, patients who have such deficiency are referred from the main hospital by the medical officers’. However should a patient wish to book an appointment with the occupational therapist, please contact the hospital. 

HOW LONG WILL I CONTINUE TO SEE AN O.T.? 

Often an OT will run an initial assessment which will involve a physical examination of the patient and administration of a clinical assessment, to ascertain the patient skills ability and deficits.

A treatment intervention plan will then be discussed with the patient and a session can run for 45 minutes to 1hour on each visit.

A patient can booked for two to three sessions a week Treatment could be for a week to three weeks and up to a maximum of eight weeks.

During the treatment schedule, co-rehearse of the patient by both the surgeon and the therapist is usually done on intervals. 

WHAT ARE THE CHARGES FOR OCCUPATION THERAPY? 

The initial visit costs Kshs. 1,000, since the patient goes undergoes a thorough assessment. This involves ascertainment of skills and deficits and can last for an hour. Subsequent visits are charged Kshs. 700. 

CLINIC is run by MR. BERNARD WAITHAKA M.K. 

CONTACT: 0720767657