Healthcare - Health Tips - Illness and Injury

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Occupational Therapy is the use of purposeful activity designed to increase functional independence in self-care, work and leisure activities.  Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives.  It gives people the "skills for the job of living" necessary for independent and satisfying lives.  The populations treated by Occupational Therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center include active duty military and retired service members of all services, their Family members and those designated for care by the hospital command.

A wide variety of people can benefit from occupational therapy, including those with:

• Work and Warrior related injuries involving trauma and/or training
• Burns, spinal cord injuries, or amputations
• Broken bones or other injuries from falls, sports injuries, or accidents
• Limitations following cardiovascular disease such as stroke or heart attack
• Mental health or behavioral problems including depressive disorders, acute stress reactions, post-traumatic stress, substance abuse, schizophrenia
• Vision or cognitive problems that threaten their ability to drive
• Arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or other serious chronic conditions

Occupational Therapy Links:

The American Occupational Therapy Association, www.aota.org

American Society of Hand Therapists, www.asht.org

Army Medical Specialist Corps, www.amsc.amedd.army.mil/

Occupational Therapy Internet World, www.rehabworld.com/rwotdex.htm

Health Tips from Army Medicine
February 2010