Northern Physical Therapy Services

General	Work Services
Hand Therapy	ADL Function

General

Occupational therapy is the use of meaningful and purposeful activities (occupations) to maximize independence and participation in an individual’s work, home, and social life roles. Occupational therapists facilitate this process by adapting the environment (e.g. assistive devices, adaptive equipment, handicapped accessible homes), adapting the task (e.g. body mechanics, energy conservation, pacing), and improving personal components (e.g. range of motion, strength, endurance).

At Northern Physical Therapy Services, occupational therapists often treat individuals with the following conditions:

Cerebral vascular accidents
Spinal cord injuries
Multiple sclerosis
Guillain –Barre syndrome
Arthritis
Work related injuries (musculoskeletal disorders)
Birth injuries, learning problems, developmental disabilities
Heart attacks
Mental health or behavior problems
Fractures
Low vision

At Northern Physical Therapy Services, our occupational therapists use their advanced training in biomechanical principals, ergonomics, physical agents, functional task analysis and medical rehabilitation to formulate a comprehensive treatment program for patient wellness and independent occupational participation. Patient rehabilitation programs may include, but are not limited to:

Activities of daily living retraining
Edema control
Pain management
Range of motion
Static and dynamic splint fabrication
Wound and scar management
Sensory re-education/desentization
Strengthening
Coordination/dexterity training
Work simulation/work hardening
Therapeutic modalities

Work Services

Work Management Screen: An internal case management tool to identify work relevant issues for the injured worker. This tool helps to transition the injured worker through the healthcare system by evaluating the need for further services thereby allowing the worker to return to work earlier, safer and with long-term success. The WMS is performed with direct contact with the injured employee, the employer and/or case manager and healthcare professional.

Functional Capacity Evaluation: A FCE is an objective assessment to determine a person's maximum physical capabilities for performing the work demands derived from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. It can assist in the determination of the injured workers physical capacities for appropriate placement in the workplace, help to determine the percentage of disability and/or the appropriate placement into a vocational training program.

Work Conditioning: A work relevant, goal oriented therapy treatment program designed to restore an individual's physical health and level of function for a successful return to work. Work conditioning is provided three to five days per week, up to four hours per day.

Job Coaching: A problem-solving process designed to facilitate an employee's successful return-to-work following involvement in traditional physical/occupational therapy and/or a work conditioning program. The therapist joins the injured worker at their worksite. Ergonomic risk factors are identified and solutions are proposed. Education regarding posture, body mechanics, stretching, self pain management and follow through with defined work restrictions are provided. The goal is to help reduce the workers anxiety about returning to work after an injury and prevent the potential of increased symptoms.

Work Site Analysis: A comprehensive, on-site analysis to measure and document the essential job functions, required skills and qualifications, psychological, environmental, and cognitive considerations, and physical demands of performing a specified job. The WSA is documented through videotape and a report.

Ergonomic Consultation: An analysis within the work setting designed to identify risk factors and to provide recommendations for worker technique, work station and/ or tool modification.

Job Hazard Analysis: Designed to help identify job risk factors, which may include: work station layout/design, tool and/or equipment design, unsafe worker behaviors, and supervisor/employee attitudes that may lead to an injury.

Injury Prevention Programs: Education designed for management, supervisors, and employees provided to help prevent/reduce injuries in the workplace. NPTS' qualified therapist offer the following within the work setting: neck/arm/back MSD (musculoskeletal disorder) school for the management team and/or employee, office ergonomics, ergonomic team training/consultation.

Hand Therapy

We are what we do. Hand and upper extremity injuries affect our occupational participation at work, school, and home. They impact us economically, psychologically, and socially. At Northern Physical Therapy Services, we recognize the integral role hands have in our lives. Our occupational therapists specialize in rehabilitating patients affected by traumatic injury, post operative, chronic, and acquired conditions to fingers, hands, wrists, and elbows, such as:

Fractures

Musculoskeletal disorders

Tendon and ligament injuries

Arthritis

Joint replacement

Amputations

Replantations

Peripheral nerve injuries

Joint contractures

Crush injuries

Chronic Regional Pain syndrome

Congenital hand anomalies

Carpal/cubital tunnel syndrome

Vascular repair

ADL Function

At Northern Physical Therapy Services, our occupational therapists provide a holistic approach in treating functional debility using, but not limited to:

Activities of Daily Living retraining

Adaptive equipment training

Joint protection

Visual tracking

Home modification

Ergonomics

Fine motor coordination/dexterity training

Behavioral modification

Sensory re-education

Body mechanics

Balance training

Family/caregiver education

Cognitive/perceptual retraining

Motor planning

Energy conservation/endurance training

Range of motion

Strengthening