Each year in April, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students in practice, education, research, and science host a month long celebration showcasing the importance of Occupational Therapy. It's the time of year when everyone in the profession goes out of their way to tell the world about what they do.

During the month, the Community Health Center of Branch County’s (CHC) Physical Therapy Department is celebrating Occupational Therapy.  Occupational Therapy (OT) is a type of therapy that enables people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability.  People who can benefit from OT range from newborn babies to senior citizens and every age in between.

 Occupational Therapy in the United States dates back to the early 20^th century when it was found that “purposeful occupations’ such as crafts, helped patients recover more swiftly from injuries and illness, both physical and mental.  Today, there are more than 100,000 OT and OT assistants practicing in the U.S. helping people master the “skills for the job of living.”

            CHC staffs three Occupational Therapists that help local patients by:

• Working in the school systems and in outpatient settings with children to help them with learning and playing issues;
• Helping children with conditions such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome and other health problems;
• Helping injured workers return to the job; and
• Working with patients who suffer from arthritis, stroke, Parkinson’s and other diseases and help them learn to carry out the activities of daily living such as dressing and eating.

If you think occupational, physical, speech or aquatic therapy may be of help to you or someone you know, ask your physician for a referral, contact us by phone or email, or stop by for a visit.  Contact CHC Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Services at (517) 279-4559.