Occupational Therapy Month Spotlight

April is Occupational Therapy (OT) Month, a chance to celebrate the profession and share the unique contributions of OT in the lives of individuals managing a variety of health conditions. Chronic symptoms not only affect physical health, but also take a toll on emotional well-being, social connections, and the ability to engage in meaningful daily activities or "occupations." These occupations include self-care, work or other productive tasks, and leisure activities that give life purpose and meaning.

For individuals with chronic symptoms, participating in these daily occupations can become challenging. Many tend to base their activity levels on how they feel—pushing themselves to do more on "good" days and avoiding activities on "bad" ones. This "push-crash" cycle is unsustainable, often leading to increased symptoms, frustration, and a gradual decline in overall function.

The Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Center Program (PRC) is a comprehensive, three-week program designed to help individuals not only manage their symptoms but also regain function, independence, and an improved quality of life. Using a collaborative approach, the program integrates expertise from various disciplines, including occupational therapy.

Within the PRC program, OT’s lead daily group sessions that focus on a range of topics such as self-care, cognition, volunteering, work, home management and leisure.  The emphasis is on helping participants build sustainable routines through moderation, activity modification, and effective time management. In addition to group sessions, individual occupational therapy helps patients create personalized strategies that support long-term success after the program. OT practitioners may recommend assistive devices, environmental modifications, adaptive techniques, or gradual activity progression to increase participation in home, work, or social roles.

Throughout the 3-week PRC program, OTs work closely with the interdisciplinary team to ensure that patients’ needs are addressed holistically.  As we celebrate OT Month, we are proud to highlight the unique contributions of occupational therapy in helping patients maximize their function while learning to better manage their chronic symptoms. How has occupational therapy helped you improve your function?