What is Occupational Therapy?
There are many different definitions of Occupational Therapy. The American Occupational Therapy Association defines Occupational Therapy as “a science driven, evidenced based practice that allows people of all ages live life to its fullest, by helping them to promote health and prevent – or live better with – illness, injury or disability.” 
Occupational Therapy and Pinnacle Rehabilitation
Occupational Therapists work in a variety of settings including school systems, nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies and outpatient clinics. At Pinnacle PT, Occupational Therapists specialize in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. This field in particular has grown secondary to intricate design of the human hand, and the specialized protocols needed to return individuals to normal function following hand or upper extremity injury/surgery. Additionally, Occupational Therapists at Pinnacle possess skills in custom splint fabrication for upper extremity orthopedic conditions such as arthritis, tendon repairs, fractures, etc.
 What is purposeful activity?
Occupational Therapists focus on the use of “purposeful activity” in order to achieve maximum functional outcomes following injury, illness or disease. There is a distinct difference in what is considered “purposeful activity” to individuals engaging in Occupational Therapy.
· A student-athlete with a wrist or ligament injury may have a goal of returning to his or her sport as fast and safe as possible. “Purposeful activity” for this individual may be a rigid and progressive exercises program based on the injury type.
· A musician with carpal tunnel syndrome may instead need to focus on a splinting regiment and fine motor activities in order to return to their instrument with as little impact as possible.
· A retiree battling arthritis, with a passion for fly-fishing, may have a specific goal of being able to tie flies once again, which requires significant digit strength and dexterity, thus altering their treatment activities.
Regardless of the injury, individual assessments and patient goals lead clinicians to defining what specific activities are most important and beneficial, to integrate into their individual treatment plan.
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