Why Do My Therapists Collect Outcome Measures? If you have received physical rehabilitation services at some point, your therapist likely said to you, “Today, we are going to collect some outcome measures to see where we are starting.” Hopefully, you also heard, “Today, we are going to repeat those outcome measures to see how well you are doing.” Those two statements alone should provide some insight as to why outcome measures are being performed. Outcome measurement can give therapists an idea of where a patient is starting at the beginning of their therapy journey prior to any appointments, treatments, or intervention. Outcome measures also provide a way to see progress during the plan of care and the success of those appointments, treatments, or interventions.
Occupational Therapy for Concussions A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can have far reaching effects on daily life by impacting vision, balance, memory, attention, problem solving, emotions, and sleep. Occupational therapists specialize in rehabilitation and adapting activities of daily life. Occupational therapy is highly individualized and centers on the specific roles, impairments, and demands of each person. Based on the specific needs of the individual, occupational therapy is often used to address the following after a concussion:
What is Lymphedema and How is it Treated? Lymphedema refers to an injury or issue with the lymphatic system that leads to excessive accumulation of lymphatic fluid. This fluid can build up anywhere in the body and result in swelling. Lymphedema is most often caused by cancer treatment such as lymph node removal or radiation therapy though some other common causes include surgery and venous insufficiency.
Aphasia and the Role of the Speech-Language Pathologist Aphasia (pronounced uh-FEY-zhuh) is the medical term used to describe difficulty with the production and comprehension of language. This can occur after a stroke or other injury to the brain. In addition to speaking, aphasia can also affect listening, reading, and writing. Individuals with aphasia may experience trouble finding the right words and producing intact sentences, which can impact their ability to express themselves as well as having trouble understanding what others are saying to them. In the most severe cases, a person with aphasia may be non-verbal, meaning they are not able to speak at all.
What’s Your Target Heart Rate? After suffering a life-changing event such as a stroke, oftentimes patients wonder “Now what? What can I do outside of therapy to help with my recovery?” One of the best things you can do is MOVE! What is good for your heart is also good for your brain. To help drive that recovery, exercising at a certain level of intensity can be one of the best things you can do. It increases blood flow to the brain and helps drive neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections and adapt.