Occupational Therapy
Reclaim your independence with personalized occupational therapy at Reid Health. Our team helps you master daily tasks and return to the activities you love most.
Therapy that helps you get back to living
Life is made up of thousands of small, meaningful moments. From the second you wake up and button your shirt to the time you spend cooking a favorite meal or playing with your grandchildren, your day is defined by your ability to move, interact, and thrive.
When an injury, illness, or chronic condition makes these daily tasks feel difficult, it can be frustrating. For residents across East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio, Reid Health offers a specialized path back to the activities that matter most. Our occupational therapy program is designed to help you reclaim those moments right here in your home community.
What is occupational therapy?
Many people hear the word “occupational” and think it only refers to a job or career. While we certainly help people return to work, in our world, an occupation is any activity that occupies your time and brings meaning to your life.
For a child, an occupation is playing and learning. For a young adult, it might be driving or working. For a senior, it could be the ability to live safely at home. Occupational therapy is a specialized form of healthcare that helps you develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living.
While physical therapy often focuses on movement (like walking or building strength), your occupational therapist focuses on teaching you new ways to do the specific activities you need to navigate your world with confidence.
What does an occupational therapist do?
Think of an occupational therapist as a creative problem-solver. They look at your life through a holistic lens. They don’t just look at a stiff hand or a weak shoulder; they look at how that hand or shoulder prevents you from brushing your teeth, typing an email, or picking up a grocery bag.
Our occupational therapists work with you to find a path forward. This might involve:
- Teaching you new ways to perform a task
- Suggesting specialized tools (like a long-handled reacher or a specific kitchen gadget) to make life easier
- Modifying your environment — whether it’s your home or office — to make it safer and more efficient
- Building up the fine motor and cognitive skills needed to manage your routine
Why would you be referred to occupational therapy?
You might find yourself visiting our team for a wide variety of reasons. We support people of all ages who are dealing with:
- Recovering from an injury, such as a broken wrist, hand, or shoulder.
- Managing chronic conditions, like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease.
- Neurological challenges, including recovering from a stroke or a traumatic brain injury.
- Surgical recovery, such as gaining back movement and skill after a joint replacement or carpal tunnel surgery.
- Aging in place, to help you stay safe and independent in your own home as you get older.
- Mental health and cognition, to improve memory, focus, and emotional regulation to help you stay organized and engaged in life.
The main goals of your program
The ultimate goal of every occupational therapy program at Reid Health is to improve your quality of life. We want you to feel empowered. Some of our primary objectives include:
- Restoring independence: We want you to be able to care for yourself with as little help as possible.
- Safety first: We help you identify potential hazards in your daily routine and find ways to avoid them.
- Reducing pain: Through specialized exercises and ergonomic adjustments, we help you find more comfortable ways to move.
- Boosting confidence: When you can successfully manage your own day, your sense of well-being naturally improves.
What to expect during your treatment at Reid
When you walk through our doors, you aren't just a number on a chart. You’re a partner in your own recovery.
Your journey begins with a one-on-one evaluation. Your therapist sits down with you and asks, “What is the one thing you miss doing most?” Whether it’s knitting, driving, or getting dressed without pain, that becomes our target.
Advanced tools for real-world results
To help you reach your goals, we provide access to a specialized environment and technology you won’t find just anywhere. Your sessions at Reid Health may include:
- Custom splinting and specialized care: Our team includes dedicated hand therapists who create custom splints for fracture care and wrist issues.
- The ADL kitchen and bathroom: We have dedicated spaces designed to look like a home environment. Here, you can practice activities of daily living (ADLs), such as safely navigating a bathroom or preparing a meal, before you return home.
- Integrated therapy space: You’ll have access to our large, state-of-the-art gym and collaborative therapy spaces, allowing for seamless transitions between different types of rehabilitation.
Support beyond the clinic
We also understand that health doesn't stop at our front door. For our local business partners and employees in East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio, we provide workplace wellness services, including:
- Ergonomic assessments: We offer both active and desk-work assessments to prevent injury before it starts.
- Workplace wellness: Our team participates in local health fairs and provides on-site evaluations to keep the regional workforce healthy and productive.
We move at your pace, celebrating every victory — no matter how small — along the way. We aren’t just treating an injury; we’re providing the tools and expertise you need to get back to being you.