Occupational Therapy in Kearney

Elite Occupational Therapyand Lymphedema Therapy

Elite Health and Wellness in Kearney, NE, promotes health and well-being by assisting individuals in resuming daily function and engaging in meaningful day-to-day activities centered on self-care, leisure, and productivity.

Our occupational therapists work with people who have physical, cognitive, or psychiatric disabilities, either from birth or as a result of an illness, accident, or aging. The primary goal is to enable these people to engage in meaningful activities in their own environment.

Occupational therapists work with people who have functional challenges to assess their abilities and weaknesses and design a treatment plan that is tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

Therapy typically entails carefully planned activities to improve the individual’s physical, cognitive, or psychosocial abilities, as well as in-depth discussions about environmental modifications and assistive devices that will allow the individual to participate in meaningful activities in a more efficient manner. Caregiver training may also be provided to improve the individual’s post-discharge participation in meaningful activities.

To find out if you are a good candidate for occupational therapy, see the referral surveys below. If you answer yes to 1 or more of these questions, you may benefit from occupational therapy services:
Adult Occupational Therapy Referral Survey
Pediatric Occupational Therapy Referral Survey

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?

They work with people of all ages, including premature babies, young children, middle-aged adults, and seniors.

In short, the therapist observes how you perform any activity or task. Then they devise a strategy to improve the way you do it in order to make it easier or less painful.

The OT will assess your needs during your first appointment. They may pay a visit to your home or workplace to observe what you do and what changes you should make. They can go to your child’s school if they are working with them. They may advise you to move furniture or obtain an assistive device such as a cane or grabber. They can teach you how to do your daily chores more effectively.

Following that, they’ll work with you to develop a therapy plan and set goals based on your needs, disability, or limits. Your OT can teach you how to adapt your movements, improve your motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and perform tasks in new ways you need to make. They can go to your child’s school if they are working with them. They may advise you to move furniture or obtain an assistive device such as a cane or grabber. They can teach you how to do your daily chores more effectively.

Your Occupational Therapist may:

Prescribe and train you to use assistive devices such as raised toilet seats or wheelchairs
Assist older adults in preventing falls at home or in public places
Teach you new ways to tie your shoes, button a shirt, get in and out of the shower, or work on your computer
Treat adults who have had a stroke to improve balance, build muscle strength, change their home to prevent injuries, or adapt to their memory or speech problems
Address behavior issues in children who act out or hit others
Improve your motor skills so you can hold a pencil.
Improve hand-eye coordination so you can hit a tennis ball
Organize your medications or household tools

OT Treatments Offered:

Functional assessment and retraining
Assessment and retraining of activities of daily living
Cognitive assessment and retraining
Prescription and training in the use of assistive devices, including motorized mobility devices
Home assessment and modifications

Lymphedema / Complete Decongestive Therapy

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema occurs due to the inability of the lymphatic system to efficiently clear the ever-present lymph with the tissue spaces. Lymphedema is a chronic disease with the tendency toward progression.

Primary Lymphedema: is the deficiency of the lymphatics due to a developmentally inefficient or poorly functioning lymphatic system.

Secondary Lymphedema: is a blockage or obliteration of lymph nodes or vessels due to surgery, radiation, trauma, or injury.

Manual Lymphedema Drainage Massage: is a light massage that opens the lymph nodes and increases lymphatic intake of fluid and Protein.

What is Complete Decongestive Therapy?

Complete Decongestive Therapy is an intense therapy program that is split into two phases: Phase I is the Decongestive Phase and Phase II is the Maintenance phase.

Phase I: The goal is to decrease the swelling in a limb to a normal size, while maintaining healthy skin. This can be done by manual drainage, wrapping, exercise, and good skin care.

Phase II: The goal is to maintain the results of phase I. This can include maintenance wraps or pumps along with good skin care, exercise, and manual drainage massage.

Each phase plays an important role in managing and maintaining lymphedema throughout the body.

How long does it take for lymphedema to go away?

Lymphedema is a lifelong condition that will not go away. However, with proper maintenance strategies including: skin care, manual drainage massage, exercise and maintenance wraps or pumps it can be controlled and flare ups reduced.

How long does complete decongestive therapy last?

Every individual with lymphedema is unique, however, those with good follow through with maintenance wraps, exercise, good skin care and utilizing manual drainage massage as needed have the best outcomes with fewer flare ups.

The expert providers at Elite Health and Wellness are excited to work with you!

Book Appointment

FAQ

Is lymphedema therapy covered by insurance?

Most insurance companies will pay for lymphedema therapy including manual drainage massage (Phase I). Each insurance is different with the number of visits allowed. Compression and maintenance wraps are covered by some but not all insurance companies.