Occupational Therapy - Frequently Asked Questions
Consult your physician to receive a diagnosis for any of the conditions discussed here. These questions/answers are for educational purposes only, and should not be considered a medical diagnosis.
Q: I have been referred to physical/occupational therapy. Do I have a choice of where to go?
A: Yes! As a client, you have the ultimate decision of who provides you with appropriate physical therapy. Many newer organizations do not accept all of the insurance plans in the area. Also, many agencies use non-licensed personnel to render care. Therefore, you should have a voice in this decision. At Sports Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists (SPTRS), all of our treating providers are licensed and have many years of experience. SPTRS is also a preferred provider for most, if not all, of the insurance plans in Kenosha and Racine Counties. Please choose SPTRS for guaranteed quality physical therapy.
Carmelo D. Tenuta, PT • click here to e-mail
Q: My doctor has referred me for occupational therapy. What is it?
A: Occupational therapy (OT) is the skilled treatment of individuals with diagnoses that include upper extremity injuries, burns, amputations, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. The goal is to regain independence in all facets of life. Occupational therapists evaluate patients and customize treatment programs to improve ability to perform daily activities, including work tasks. Occupational therapists may also fabricate splints or suggest adapting frequently used equipment, to make it easier to use.
Tina Schaefer, OTR/L • click here to e-mail
Q: My doctor has just diagnosed me with arthritis in my hands. Are there any tips to decrease my pain?
A: There are several precautions you can take to decrease stress on arthritic joints:
- Be aware of any discomfort with certain activities. Pain that lingers more than 2 hours after an activity should be considered a warning that the activity should be modified or eliminated.
- Change positions frequently (eg, use your other hand).
- Take rest breaks and incorporate some stretching into your day.
- Avoid a tight or prolonged grasp.
- Use the largest, strongest joints possible to accomplish tasks (eg, open jars/containers with all fingers above the object rather than on the side with only the thumb and index finger.
- Use warm water soaks or paraffin wax, to decrease pain, as recommended by your doctor or occupational therapist.
Nikki Swikert, OTR/L •
click here to e-mail
Q: I have pain on the outside of my elbow. It is tender to the touch, and, when I grip objects in my hand, it really hurts. What could this be?
A: You are more than likely dealing with lateral epicondylitis or inflammation of the wrist extensor muscles. This is commonly termed “tennis elbow”. Generally, a history of overuse of the wrist and forearm or repetitive motions of the wrist provoke it. Physical therapy can help reduce the inflammation and prevent future occurrences. If symptoms persist, and the condition becomes chronic, you may need to follow up with your doctor.
Marisa Trottier, PT, DPT • click here to e-mail
Q: My ring and pinky fingers ache and are falling asleep. Do I have carpal tunnel?
A: Carpal tunnel involves the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Most likely what you are experiencing is cubital tunnel syndrome, which occurs when the ulnar nerve at the inside of the elbow is compressed. To prevent and/or minimize symptoms:
- Avoid repetitive or sustained bent elbow (eg, constant hammering or fetal position when sleeping)
- Avoid leaning on your elbows (eg, at a table or on the car armrest)
- Avoid excessive forearm rotation (eg, pitching or wrenching)
- If symptoms persist, you could benefit from occupational therapy.
Michelle Baumeister, OTR/L • click here to e-mail
Q. I've been told to use either heat or ice for an injury. Which one is correct?
A: Ice is indicated for the first 24-48 hours after an injury (10 minutes, 2–3 times a day). Ice helps reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. After the first 48 hours, heat can be applied to relax tissues and loosen muscle tightness (15–20 minutes, 2–3 times a day).
Luke Kunze, MPT • click here to e-mail
Q: I notice after I use my computer for an extended period of time, my entire upper body feels sore and tired. Do you have any tips for preventing this?
A: Maintaining good posture may mean continually monitoring your posture while working at your computer desk. The goal is for good posture to become second nature:
- Your ears and shoulders should be in a straight line.
- The visual distance of your eyes from your computer monitor should be 18”–28”.
- The top 1/3 of your monitor should be at eye level.
- Hold your head at a slight downward tilt to avoid straining the muscles in your neck or shoulders.
- Your back should be straight, with buttocks pushed to the rear of the chair.
- Avoid slumping at your waist or shoulders.
Nikki Swikert, OTR/L • click here to e-mail
Q: After shoveling, my middle finger is painful, and I have difficulty opening and closing it into a fist. What is going on, and what can I do?
A: What you are experiencing may be “trigger finger”. Trigger finger occurs when the tendon that bends your finger into a fist becomes inflamed from over use, jarring, and/or sustained grip. You can address the problem at home by modifying your shovel handle to make the grip larger, stretching the affected finger by placing your palm flat on table and bending your wrist backward for 10 seconds (repeat throughout the day), and icing your hand for 10 minutes 2–3 times a day. If symptoms still persist, you could benefit from occupational therapy.
Michelle Baumeister, OTR/L • click here to e-mail
Q: My thumb, index, and middle fingers tingle and go numb. What causes this, and what can I do to alleviate/prevent it?
A: The numbness/tingling you are experiencing may be due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve at the wrist is compressed by swelling/inflammation of surrounding tissues. The swelling/inflammation may be caused by repetitive motion combined with poor positioning of your wrist (eg, prolonged computer use with wrists in extension). Wrist stretches, changing positions frequently and wrist splints may alleviate the symptoms, but you’ll need guidance from a physician and an occupational therapist.
Tina Schaefer, OTR/L • click here to e-mail
Q: Lately I have been noticing that my finger has been locking in a flexed position when I make a fist or grip an object. What is causing this?
A: The described symptoms sound like “trigger finger”, a common disorder of the hand which causes snapping, clicking, or locking of the fingers. In trigger finger, this tendon becomes inflamed and lumps develop. When the finger is bent, the enlarged section of the tendon struggles to be pulled through a small “tunnel” in the finger, causing snapping and locking of the finger. In conservative treatment, one of our occupational therapists will educate you about modifying your activities, use modalities to decrease inflammation, and, perhaps, fabricate a splint to prevent further deformity. A doctor may prescribe an oral anti-inflammatory and/or injection of cortisone around the inflamed tendon to alleviate the symptoms. Severe cases may need surgery to release the tendon.
Nikki Swikert, OTR/L • click here to e-mail
If you have any general questions or are seeking further information, please do not hesitate to contact any of our providers at any location. We are here to help you.
Insurance help (link to Providers and Co-Pay questions from Physical Therapy portion of section 2)