SERVICES > OT FOR CHRONIC PAIN
Edmonton Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation for Chronic Pain and Activity Limitations
Practical Skills for Daily Living
Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation for Chronic Pain and Activity Limitations
Your chronic pain makes it difficult to complete basic daily activities, such as getting dressed, grooming, sleeping, household tasks, doing errands, and even going to medical appointments. You may not be able to work or you may be at risk of losing your job because of your limitations. Your concentration and memory may be impaired because of your pain, fatigue, and lack of sleep.
Your family may be supporting you, which can place a burden on them. This can put pressure on your relationships, which can result in emotional and psychological effects for your health.
When you’re injured or have chronic pain, you may need an OT assessment and rehabilitation treatment that can help you get back to your normal life.
People with chronic pain frequently cope with:
- physical injuries and activity limitations
- chronic pain
- depression
- anxiety
- sleep disturbances
- fatigue and tiredness
- difficulty with concentration and memory
Chronic Pain Profile Example
40-year old mother on disability leave for chronic pain and mental health issues has been referred for occupational therapy to help with a rehabilitation program and possibly return to work.
We complete an occupational therapy assessment to identify problems and set goals. The problems may be physical injuries, chronic pain, depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances, fatigue, struggles with parenting and worrying about whether returning to work is possible.
This client’s goals are to:
- Reduce pain symptoms and mental distress
- Improve quality of sleep and mood
- Be able to work without getting worse
- Improve concentration and focus
- Have more energy for family and life
Why Choose Action OT?
Experienced
We specialize in rehabilitation for people with chronic pain and mental health issues. We have extensive education, training and experience in helping people overcome their physical and mental health limitations.
Inspired
Our clients enjoy the process of working with our occupational therapists to help them rehabilitate and return to work. We care about and respect our clients when providing effective, client-centred assessments and treatments.
Practical
We also understand how your benefits work and what services will be covered. We can help you communicate with other healthcare professionals. When appropriate, we can also help you with work exploration, job coaching, and workplace ergonomic changes.
How Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Can Help Chronic Pain
Our occupational therapy treatments focus on decreasing the limitations associated with your chronic pain, fatigue, and depressed/anxious mood. We help you gain an accurate awareness and understanding of your abilities and limitations to participate in your valued life roles, possibly including returning to work.
Our occupational therapists assess your strengths and limitations. We work with you to monitor progress in your physical and mental health and to help you gradually return meaningful activities and to work, if possible.
We help you manage your pain by setting goals, identifying values, activities and roles that are meaningful to you. We gradually work towards getting you back to your normal life through graded activities, exploration, and mindfulness.
We identify equipment and minor home renovations that may help you with any physical barriers that might be aggravating your pain or limiting your independence.
In some cases, a family member may take on the role of caregiver. We provide support to caregivers to assist their ability to provide the most effective support, without burning out.
We help you return to an appropriate productive role, such as hobbies, volunteering or returning to work.
We may refer you to other complementary health treatments, such as physiotherapy, psychological counselling, nutrition, supervised fitness programs, and/or therapeutic yoga.
