Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy helps people overcome physical, emotional and social challenges from injury, illness or disability that negatively impact their daily living. Your therapist will customize interventions to help you meet your goals and return to a higher level of function and independent living. 

At The University of Kansas Health System, our expert occupational therapy team works closely with your physician and other care team members to provide you with streamlined care to meet your needs. We provide therapy for people of all ages and with all conditions.

Occupational therapy (OT) is treatment to help you improve your ability to perform daily tasks. It can help you learn how to move through your environment or use different tools to participate safely in your activities.

You might need OT after trauma, injury or illness. We also use OT to help you manage symptoms from a chronic condition or disability. Our occupational therapists help you live as self-sufficiently as possible. 

Our therapists, located in the Kansas City metro area work to return you to your activities of daily living. You’ll receive a customized care plan that addresses your functional capabilities, goals, hobbies and interests to return you to a higher level of performance and independent living. Your therapist will also make sure you’re safe and supported during your therapy sessions.

Occupational therapy can help you with any injury, illness or disability that makes daily living more difficult. Children might need pediatric therapy, or OT that’s specifically designed for young patients. You might need OT to help you recover from the following:

• Surgery
• Decreased flexibility and strength
• Hand trauma or hand surgery
• Lymphedema and other edema conditions
• Neurological diseases
• Repetitive injuries
• Sprains and strains of the arm
• Stroke, head injury and spinal cord injury
• Vision deficits
• Wounds and burns 

Our skilled occupational therapists are trained in hand therapy, pediatric therapy and managing lymphedema.

Our highly skilled and specialty-trained certified hand therapists work with you to rehabilitate problems affecting the hands and upper extremities. Problems or conditions that may require hand therapy include: 

• Arthritis
• Burns 
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Neurological and congenital hand conditions
• Tendon and nerve lacerations
• Tendonitis
• Traumatic injuries, such as fractures and crush injuries

We offer the LSVT BIG and LOUD^® program for people with Parkinson’s Disease, which focuses on improving movement (through physical and occupational therapy) and voice. We have LSVT-certified therapists in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. LSVT stands for Lee Silverman Voice Treatment.

We offer a multidisciplinary approach to pediatric therapy for children of all ages.

Our physical and occupational therapists and speech language pathologists have experience in pediatric orthopedic and neurological conditions. We work with your child to create an environment of care that is fun and therapeutic and meets their goals personally and developmentally.

OT helps improve your ability to perform daily tasks and learn how to move through your environment or use tools to safely participate in your activities. We do this by:

• Identifying your everyday strengths and difficulties 
• Teaching you skills to live independently and perform daily tasks 
• Setting goals and guiding you as you progress
• Addressing physical, psycho-social, community and environmental factors that influence your functional ability

Occupational therapy can help you find ways to achieve your movement and activity goals while making sure you have the resources you need. Occupational therapy is safe and effective and has only a small injury risk. 

OT will be part of your treatment plan to improve your overall physical and mental health. If you need additional resources to feel safe during your day-to-day routine, your therapist will assist with those connections. Your therapist will also help you learn how to safely participate in your daily activities, especially if you’re trying something new or more challenging.

You will enjoy a safe, motivational environment during your occupational therapy sessions. We provide these services in multiple locations in the Kansas City metro area. 

During your first appointment, your occupational therapist will assess your condition and review your medical history to design an effective treatment plan. Your therapist will get to know you and your family, discuss your goals and any barriers to success you may be experiencing.

Your therapist will also examine your home, office or any other environment you visit frequently to understand where you need support and how to help you meet your goals. 

Your therapist will develop interventions or tools customized to your physical, mental and social goals. This includes assistive equipment like a prosthetic, exercises to improve strength and coordination or to meet with a mental health professional for emotional issues you are having. Occupational therapy will help you improve your ability to perform tasks and to live as self-sufficiently as possible. 

Some activities OT can help with include:

• Getting dressed
  
• Taking medication
  
• Shopping for groceries
  
• Driving
•  Using a computer or other technology

Your therapist will monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments.