Educating the future generation about OT Providing career exploration for the future generations can help contribute to the overall enjoyment of your work, "Discussing occupational therapy with the students at New City School is always my favorite presentation of the year. The students are so engaged and ask the most insightful questions that I leave the school even more rejuvenated about my own profession," Occupational Therapist, Stephanie Stegman, MOT, OTR/L notes. For the second year in a row, Stegman has been invited to present to an extraordinary group of 4th grade students at New City School. The students are learning about Physical, Speech, and Occupational Therapy in a module they were studying earlier this month.
In her presentation Stephanie explained that Occupational Therapy is a science-driven and evidence-based profession. She went on to describe for the students how therapists teach patients to compensate for activities that they may have issues completing, and how therapists help people of all ages to live life to its fullest through health promotion, preventative care, and rehabilitation. During her presentation, Stephanie provided the students with a clinical model that depicted how Occupational Therapists work with patients by evaluating the whole person, their environment and the activities they need to do to function in their daily lives. Read more about the OT Services we provide to the community...
Tools to reduce spring aches & pains Content provided by Cia Carpenter, MS, OTR/L, CHT With the return of spring we will soon be preparing our yards for family events, and refreshing our gardens. These activities are labor intensive and can cause inflamed joints, back and knee pain and tendinitis. Here is a list of some tools and equipment that can ease the aches and pains and allow you to enjoy the results of your hard work:
- Kneeling pad - to keep knee pain at a minimum and allow you to tolerate this position for a longer period of time.
- Large handled tools - are more ergonomic and will decrease the stresses on your thumb and fingers.
- Garden wagon - will help limit the carrying, getting up and down.
- Stool for those who cant kneel this will allow you to complete your gardening and eliminate bending over and causing back pain.
We hope these tools will help you to enjoy the results of your hard work but if you do happen to experience a hand or upper extremity injury or muscle pull, the Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center is here to provide resources and clinical care for you. Learn more about the Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center...
That's using your head: Helmet Safety Content provided by Jill Jonas, MSOT, OTR/L Spring is a time when many people enjoy riding bicycles and scooters. Given that March is Brain Injury Awareness month, we want to highlight the importance of wearing a helmet while enjoying your ride. A recent study conducted by UCLA, examined injuries sustained while using an electric scooter. Researchers found that 40% of injuries reporting to the ER resulted in a head injury and only 4% of all riders were wearing a helmet. (1) According to the Snell Memorial Foundation, the annual number of bicycling head injuries requiring hospitalization is more than the total of all other head injury cases from other sports that use helmets. In addition, the Snell Foundation found 85% of bicycle-related head and brain injuries can be prevented by a helmet. To ensure your helmet fits properly and will protect your head effectively, follow these tips:
- Make sure your helmet is certified to meet safety standards. Look for a CPSC, ASTM or Snell sticker.
- Try the helmet on and make sure it fits your head shape and size.
- Position the helmet so it is low on the forehead, just above the eyebrows.
- Adjust the chin straps on the helmet so the side buckle is just below the earlobe over the jaw bone. When buckled, it should fit snug under the chin (not over the throat), allowing two fingers to fit between the chin and snap.
- Wear your helmet every time you ride and always replace it if you hit your head during a crash.
The CDC HEADS Up Concussion and Helmet Safety app is an on-the-go resource that features a 3D helmet fit guide for many types of sport-related helmets. The app also has information to help identify possible concussion symptoms and what steps to take if a concussion is suspected. Learn more about our OT Clinical Services that work with brain injuries...
(1) Trivedi, T. K., Liu, C., Antonio, A. L., Wheaton, N., Kreger, V., Yap, A., . . . Elmore, J. G. (2019). Injuries Associated With Standing Electric Scooter Use. JAMA Network Open,2(1). doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.7381 |
