What Is Occupational Therapy & How It Can Help You
When you’re unable to perform your regular daily activities for whatever reason, sometimes it can be confusing which type of therapist to make an appointment with. Although Occupational Therapy is becoming more and more mainstream, many people still don’t know what occupational therapists can do to help you get back to doing the things you love.
Our team here in Lower Sackville is made up of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists who often work together, but have different roles in your rehabilitation!
What Is An Occupational Therapist?
Occupational Therapists, often called OTs are health care professionals that help people solve problems that interfere with their activities of daily living, or “occupations”. Despite the name, it doesn't have to be job related!
They can help with:
- Self-care - getting dressed, eating, moving around the house,
- Being productive - going to work or school, participating in the community
- Leisure activities - sports, gardening, social activities
OTs can also provide home visits,
job site visits and/or coaching, physical abilities evaluations, or a return to work plan. Occupational Therapists encourage collaboration with the key stakeholders such as the client, the employer, the insurer, and any involved health care practitioners.
What Does An Occupational Therapist Do?
When you see an Occupational Therapist, they will do an intake and discuss why you made the appointment, and what activities you are having difficulty with.
After an assessment, the OT can help by:
- Teaching you new ways of doing things
- Helping you regain skills and develop new ones
- Showing you materials or equipment that makes life easier
- Adapting your environment to work better for you
Often, you are given tasks or ‘homework’ by your occupational therapist to help achieve your goals.

When To Make An Appointment With An OT
There are plenty of different reasons to make an appointment with an OT. You may be referred by your primary care provider, but it is not necessary to have a referral to make an appointment!
Here are some examples (but the list is much longer!) of when you may want to make an appointment:
- After surgery, like a joint replacement
- Post injury
- If you have chronic pain
- Post stroke
- If you’ve been diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease or Cerebral Palsy
What Is The Role Of An Occupational Therapist In A Rehabilitation Setting?
In a rehabilitation setting like our clinic, OTs often work side by side with Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists to help you maximize the things that are important for you to do. Our OTs offer assistance with in variety of ways to do this, including hand rehabilitation, return to work goal setting and planning, functional evaluations physically and cognitively to determine strengths and areas of improvement, concussion management, and assistance with any psychosocial concerns that could be impacting your ability to engage in any desired or important activities.
Your OT may work with you to evaluate you own personal strengths and goals, strengths/barriers to environments you engage in (work, school, home, community) and draw on any resources that can help you achieve your functional goals.
Book an appointment with one of our Occupational Therapists by calling us at 902 865-8100
FAQs
What's The Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy?
The main difference is that Physiotherapy helps address physical injuries with modalities such as manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, interferential current, acupuncture, etc. Occupational Therapy helps manage the limitations on your activities of daily living that an illness or injury may cause.
Do Occupational Therapists Diagnose?
No, OTs do not make definitive medical diagnoses based on signs and symptoms.
How To Become An Occupational Therapist
To
become an Occupational Therapist in Canada, you must complete your Master of Science - Occupational Therapy, complete the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam, and become part of the provincial regulatory organization in your province.


The Role of Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy, and Occupational Therapy After Joint Replacement Surgery





