Occupational Therapy

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a specialized rehab service that helps people of all ages develop skills to take care of themselves and flourish in life.

Occupational Therapists (OTs) are experts trained to help you maximize your ‘occupations’—all the activities you do during your daily life. They make life functional, meaningful, and enjoyable. Common ‘occupations’ include:

Getting dressed
Brushing teeth
Cooking
Doing laundry
Playing with kids/grandkids
Driving
Participating in hobbies
Working

Who benefits from Occupational Therapy?

CMH’s Occupational Therapy team can help with:

Surgical recovery
Sports related injuries
Work related injuries
Cognitive disorders such as TBI, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia
Upper extremity (hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder) conditions
Custom splinting and orthotic management
Pediatric (children) patients who struggle with fine motor skills or sensory processing

Specialized Occupational Therapy Programs in Cloquet

Click on each program name below to learn more about how Occupational Therapy can help:

Concussion Rehabilitation

Are you experiencing concussion symptoms? Sleepiness, nausea, more frequent headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light or noise, and vision problems may be signs of a concussion. A concussion is a traumatic injury causing temporary loss of normal brain function.

Early intervention is crucial to concussion recovery. Occupational Therapy can help lessen symptoms and improve functional impairments, including:

Treatment for impairments of vision, motor skills and cognition, including processing speed and reaction time
Self-care performance
Headache management
Upper extremity function

Feeding Program

Mealtime challenges make family bonding stressful. Together, our Occupational and Speech Therapists help patients from infancy through age 18 overcome their feeding challenges with custom, evidence-based recommendations.

A feeding evaluation at CMH includes:

Observing the child eating
Discussions with the family
Oral-motor, swallowing, and sensory processing assessments

Our goal is to teach patients that mealtimes can be fun, and to introduce new foods safely and gradually. Our strategies include:

Exercises to support the development of the muscles in the mouth, jaw, tongue, lips and cheeks
Interventions for sensory challenges

Pediatric Rehabilitation

CMH’s play-based, child-centered rehab program makes learning and developing skills fun & motivating.

From infants to teens, our team helps children develop the skills they need to thrive, including:

Fine motor skills (including feeding)
Visual processing skills
Self-care skills (such as feeding, grooming and dressing)
Social skills and self regulations play skills, and social skills

Occupational Therapy can help children with:

Developmental disabilities
Premature birth
Congenital anomalies
Autism spectrum disorders
Neurological disorders
Physical disabilities
Sensory processing disorders

Ergonomic Consulting Services

The health of your business depends on the health and safety of your workers. Our Occupational Therapy services for businesses include:

Ergonomic assessments
Employment screenings
Development of functional job descriptions
Job site analysis
Support for accommodating worksites to ADA compliance standards

To learn more about Ergonomic Consulting, please contact Jessica Ochis, Director of Occupational Therapy at 218-878-7040 ext. 7476 or jochis@cmhmn.org.

Hand Therapy (Upper Extremity Rehab)

Did you button your shirt today? Unscrew a lid? Use a pair of scissors?

Our upper extremities (hands, wrists, arms, shoulders) are very important to every day tasks! For people with a chronic or traumatic injury, even simple tasks like buttoning a shirt can be very difficult.

The hand therapy team at CMH are occupational therapists who have advanced study and experience and specialize in treating individuals with conditions affecting the arms including shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands. A hand specialist may also have advanced certification as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT).

A CHT is an OT or PT by profession with at least three years of experience, plus 4,000 hours of hand and upper extremity therapy practice. A CHT must have passed an extensive certification examination that demonstrates knowledge of all areas of hand and upper extremity therapy. Certified Hand Therapists must renew their credential every five years through continued education and participation in hand and upper extremity therapy to continue using the CHT designation.

We have two Certified Hand Therapists at CMH on our hand therapy team

A qualified hand and upper extremity therapist can evaluate and treat any problem related to the arms, including shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands. Their expertise encompasses a wide range of services, ensuring comprehensive care for their patients.

Key aspects of their role include:

Post-Surgery Rehabilitation: Skilled in providing effective treatment and rehabilitation following surgery, helping patients regain function and mobility.
Preventative and Non-Operative Treatment: Preventative care and conservative treatment options to manage and improve conditions without the need for surgery.
Industry Consultation: Specialized consultation services for industries to prevent and manage work-related upper extremity injuries.
Custom Orthotic Fabrication: Create custom orthotics to support injury recovery or post-surgery healing, ensuring tailored solutions for each patient’s needs.
Collaborative Care: Working closely with physicians, the therapist ensures a seamless continuum of care from the initial injury or surgery through to the patient’s return to work or a productive lifestyle.
Comprehensive Patient Care: The therapist is dedicated to providing the most thorough and holistic care, addressing all aspects of the patient’s recovery and rehabilitation.

Talk to your primary care provider about a referral to Hand Therapy at CMH.

Clinical Community Mobility Skills Assessment

CMH Occupational Therapy offers a medically based driving rehabilitation program that begins with a clinical skills assessment. The Clinical Skills Assessment is typically covered by insurance. It includes a review of medical and driving history, along with an assessment of vision, thinking skills, and physical motor control.

The Driving Risk Calculator will be used to interpret testing results.

If four moderate risk scores, or one high risk score, are identified, a behind-the-wheel assessment may be recommended. (A list of vendors would be provided at time of assessment)
Determination of current fitness to drive will be discussed, and recommendations will be made.

Outpatient Occupational Therapy may be recommended to address the challenges identified through this assessment, along with support and educational resources on alternative community mobility options, if driving is no longer deemed safe.

Lymphedema Therapy

Lymphedema refers to the management and treatment of a chronic condition characterized by swelling, typically in the arms or legs, caused by an impaired lymphatic system. This condition leads to the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in tissues, resulting in swelling, discomfort, and sometimes functional limitations.

CMH’s Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) Maren Curtiss has completed specialized training to help patients manage the physical, functional, and psychosocial effects of lymphedema, including:

Education and Self-Management
- Teaching patients about lymphedema, including causes, symptoms, and risk reduction strategies.
- Instructing on skin care to prevent infections and complications.
- Promoting lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms and prevent exacerbation
Compression Therapy
- Assisting with the use of compression garments or bandaging to manage swelling and improve lymphatic flow.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
- A specialized, gentle manual technique designed to stimulate the lymphatic system and promote fluid movement.
Therapeutic Exercises
- Designing and guiding patients through low-impact exercises to enhance lymphatic flow and maintain joint mobility.
Functional Training
- Addressing the impact of lymphedema on daily activities and adapting tasks or environments to improve independence and quality of life.
Psycho-Social Support
- Providing support for emotional challenges associated with living with lymphedema.
Assistive Devices and Ergonomics
- Recommending tools or techniques to optimize function, particularly when swelling affects hand strength or dexterity.

Talk to your primary care provider about a referral to Occupational Therapy at CMH.

Functional Capacity Evaluation

A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a comprehensive, objective assessment designed to measure an individual’s ability to perform work-related tasks. This evaluation helps determine the functional capabilities of a person, particularly after an injury or illness, to ensure they can safely return to work or to establish any limitations they might have.

Key components of a FCE at CMH include:

Physical Assessment: Evaluates the individual’s physical abilities such as strength, endurance, flexibility, and range of motion.
Task Performance: Assesses the individual’s ability to perform specific work-related tasks, including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and other job-specific activities.
Safety and Consistency: Ensures that the individual can perform tasks safely and consistently without risking further injury.
Objective Measurements: Uses standardized protocols and equipment to provide objective data on the individual’s functional abilities.
Comprehensive Reporting: Provides detailed reports outlining the individual’s functional capacities, any limitations, and recommendations for work modifications or accommodations if necessary.

FCEs are often used by employers, healthcare providers, and insurance companies to make informed decisions regarding an individual’s return to work, job placement, or need for rehabilitation.

Call 218-878-7040 for more information.

Functional Cognition Treatment

Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in addressing cognitive challenges. Cognitive functions include memory, attention, problem-solving, and executive functioning, which are essential for performing daily activities. An occupational therapist can help improve or compensate for cognitive impairments through various interventions:

Assessment: OTs use standardized tests and task observations to evaluate cognitive abilities and their impact on daily activities.
Skill Training: Therapists offer exercises to improve cognitive skills, such as memory games, attention tasks, and problem-solving exercises.
Compensatory Strategies: OTs teach methods to manage cognitive deficits, including memory aids, task simplification, and routine establishment.
Environmental Modifications: Adjust living spaces to support cognitive function by reducing clutter and using labels and visual cues.
Task Simplification: Break down complex activities into simpler steps to enhance success and independence.
Education and Support: Educate patients and caregivers on cognitive challenges and effective management strategies.

By addressing cognitive issues, occupational therapists help patients regain independence and improve their quality of life.

Vision Impairment

Occupational therapy can significantly benefit individuals with vision impairments, helping them to maximize their independence and improve their quality of life. Here are some ways in which OTs address vision-related issues:

Assessment and Evaluation: OTs assess visual acuity, visual fields, and functional vision to understand vision impairment’s impact on daily activities.
Adaptation of Daily Activities: Teach adaptive techniques for daily tasks like dressing, cooking, and hygiene to accommodate vision loss.
Use of Assistive Devices: Introduce and train clients on assistive devices like magnifiers, large-print books, talking watches, and specialized software.
Environmental Modifications: Modify environments for safety and accessibility by improving lighting, reducing glare, marking steps, and organizing spaces.
Compensatory Strategies: Teach strategies like using tactile markers and organizing systems to manage vision loss.
Visual Skills Training: Provide exercises to improve remaining visual skills, such as scanning, tracking, and visual memory.
Safety Training: Educate on safety techniques, including using contrast, proper storage solutions, and other senses to prevent accidents.
Community Mobility: Assist with safe community navigation, including training in white cane use, orientation, mobility skills, and public transportation.
Leisure and Social Participation: Help clients find and engage in accessible leisure activities to promote social interaction and reduce isolation.
Support and Counseling: Offer emotional support and counseling to help adjust to vision loss and address anxiety, depression, and loss of independence.
Collaboration with Other Professionals: Work with optometrists, ophthalmologists, and low vision specialists for comprehensive care and optimal outcomes.

Occupational therapists help individuals with vision impairments lead more independent, safe, and fulfilling lives.

LSVT BIG & LOUD

Two symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are speech/voice difficulties and a loss of motor skills. Your voice gets quieter and your movements are slower and smaller in size, making everyday activities a challenge.

Our rehabilitation team is trained and certified in the LSVT BIG & LOUD programs to help you gain improvements in speech and mobility.

LSVT BIG is an intensive physical and occupational therapy exercise program. Treatment sessions with your PT or OT can help you achieve:

Ability to walk faster and take bigger steps
Better balance
Improved trunk rotation
Improved daily living and self-care skills
Improved quality of life

Participation in the program takes four weeks, including

16 individualized, one-hour sessions (four times a week for four weeks)
Treatment that includes sustained and multi-directional movements and everyday situational tasks
Daily carryover exercises

For more information about LSVT BIG, please call 218-878-7040 or talk to your primary care provider about a referral.