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Caucasian senior male patient exercising his arms using a fitness ball and with the help of a male therapist at a physical recovery center

Why choose Geisinger for occupational therapy?

When weakness, pain or an injury makes everyday tasks harder, occupational therapy can help. It’s centered on your needs, whether that’s recovering, regaining strength or finding easier, safer ways to do the things you do regularly.

Your occupational therapist will focus on your activities of daily living and may recommend adaptive equipment to help you regain independence and do tasks more easily. They'll team up with specialists in areas like physical therapy and physiatry to build a treatment plan around your goals. They'll also work with your caregivers, showing them how to support you at home.

Our therapists treat people of all ages, close to home in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. You'll need a referral from your healthcare provider to get started — and the sooner you do, the more successful your recovery will be.

Conditions we treat

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Related specialties

FAQs

What’s occupational therapy (OT)?

Occupational therapy helps you recover or adapt after an injury or disability through practicing the activities of daily living. Using tools and hands-on techniques, your occupational therapist helps you learn or regain the skills you need to live independently and handle daily tasks, like bathing, dressing and feeding yourself. Our certified hand therapists are trained to assess and treat all hand injuries, including post-op and splinting needs.

What does occupational therapy treat?

Occupational therapy is helpful for people with conditions and injuries including:

  • Activities of daily living (ADL) limitations
  • Arthritis of the hand, wrist and upper extremity
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Breast cancer and oncology rehabilitation
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Concussion and post-concussion syndrome
  • Dementia and Alzheimer's disease
  • Developmental delays
  • Fine motor coordination delays
  • Fracture rehabilitation
  • Hand and upper extremity injuries
  • Joint replacement recovery
  • Lymphedema
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Rotator cuff injuries and shoulder dysfunction
  • Sensory processing disorders
  • Stroke (CVA)
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Your occupational therapist will work with specialists in other areas, including physical therapy and physiatry, to create a treatment plan that can help you reach your goals.

What happens at an occupational therapy appointment?

You'll need a referral from your healthcare provider before your first visit. At that appointment, your therapist will gather information about your condition and may have you perform a few tasks. Then they'll work with you to build a personalized treatment plan. If you need special equipment at home, they can help arrange it. They'll also educate your caregivers so they can support you better.

Occupational therapy at Geisinger

Our occupational therapists are here to help you get back to your daily life. When you come to Geisinger, you’ll find:

  • Locations close to home: Along with hospital-based services, you'll find outpatient clinics in central and northeastern Pennsylvania, which helps you fit therapy more easily into your schedule.
  • Coordinated care: Your therapist works with other specialists to make sure you're getting the right treatment for your needs.
  • A focus on independence: Your therapist focuses on your daily activities and can recommend adaptive equipment to help you do more on your own.