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What is Occupational Therapy?

Posted on by Gary S. Johnson, MSOT, OTR/L, MBA

As April begins, this marks the kick off of Occupational Therapy Month and I am again reminded of why I am proud to call myself an Occupational Therapist. The work that my fellow Occupational Therapists are doing on a daily basis is not only growing and advocating for a profession that is over 100 years old, but also advancing research throughout all healthcare rehabilitation settings. For a profession that has been around for over a century, there are still many people who have never heard of Occupational Therapy or what we do. Read below as I explain:

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What to Expect when Recovering from Rotator Cuff Surgery

Posted on by Athletico

The rotator cuff is made up of four small muscles that surround the shoulder joint. These muscles work as stabilizers to keep the ball of the humerus (which is the long bone in the upper arm) in the right position at the center of the shoulder joint.

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Knife Safety 101

Posted on by Shelia M. Tenny, OTR/L, CHT

We probably all know, or think we know, the basics of dealing with sharp objects, including carrying a knife or scissors with the pointed end down and never running with them! Despite these well-known safety tips, about 1,200 injuries occur daily in the United States from kitchen, pocket or utility knives.1

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What is Tech Thumb?

Posted on by Kimberly Martin, OTR/L

The average American spends more than four hours on their mobile devices texting, checking email, playing games and browsing social media. In addition, many spend a large portion of the work day typing and mousing on the computer.1,2 The trouble with the amount of time spent on these devices is that they are not ergonomically designed for heavy, repetitive use. Unfortunately, many people don’t become aware of this until they experience pain in their hands and thumbs.

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Avocad-OH NO! Tips to Avoid Avocado Hand

Posted on by Athletico

By Shelia Tenny, OTR/L, CHT and Ellie Park, OTD/s

Avocado’s have increased in popularity, as the heart healthy benefits and high nutrient content of this super-food, have made them a favorite condiment, side dish, salad and sandwich topper. Let’s face it, they’re creamy and delicious! On the down side, there has been a rise in avocado related hand injuries due to self-inflicted knife accidents. The British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons has even warned the public regarding the safety risk of cutting avocados.1

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Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Posted on by Athletico

Carpal tunnel is one of the most well-known and commonly treated hand/wrist conditions. Some of the telltale signs of this condition include numbness and/or tingling throughout your thumb, index finger and middle finger, as well as weakened grip strength and decreased hand coordination. Not everyone notices pain, although pain in the palm or wrist is not uncommon.

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Common Upper Extremity Injuries for the DIY Weekend Warrior

Posted on by Erik Krol, MOT, OTR/L

The past eight months in my new role as a father-to-be has challenged my organizational, physical and power tool skills in order to prepare our home for the new baby’s arrival. During the week, I work 40+ hours as a hand/occupational therapist treating and rehabilitating patients’ upper extremity conditions. On the weekends, endless home improvement projects have left my hands, wrists, and elbows feeling more sore, inflamed and tighter than ever before. My own recent upper extremity symptoms have led me to practice everything that I preach in the clinic.

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4 Common Fingertip Injuries

Posted on by Lori Risner, OTR/L, CHT

Hands are one of the most intricate parts of the human body. Approximately one quarter of all our body’s bones are found in the hand. These are moved by more than 30 muscles inside our hand. There are also three main nerves that supply the muscles and skin of the hand and more than 17,000 touch receptors that relay information from the hand to our brain.1

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