My OT journey

There were so many great takeaway and points Professor Flick had in her presentation about health promotion and health literacy. One important takeaway I got from it was the importance of making sure your client is always aware of what is going on in the treatment sessions and with them. This is important because much of the general population can only read on a 5th grade level. When you clearly explain their diagnosis and how occupational therapy can help them it's providing them with a very client-centered approach and the most effective kind. To do this you can use layman's terms and double check for understanding. It's also important to not make your client feel bad about not knowing what something means. Many people get scared because they don't know how to ask, or what even to ask. As a future healthcare professional, it's our job to educate those people and provide assurance to the unknown.

According to the notes I took on the introduction to assistive technology prezi, assistive technology or A.T. is any piece of equipment, software program or product system used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability. There are three categories of assistive technology and they are: low-tech, medium-tech, and high-tech. Each category is based on the price, quality, and functionality of the specific device. For example, a switch would be considered a high tech device and an adapted spoon would be considered a low-tech advice. There are several different reasons why someone may get one type of AT device versus another kind. Such as the guest speaker at Thursday's lecture. She found the one she has worked best for her and has had the same type since she was very young but just updated versions of it. There is a decision-making process that is used when it is time to decide what is best for your client.  The three step process is 1

The scapulohumeral rhythm is clinically relevant for many reasons. The first reason being it allows a synchronized movement between the scapula and humerus to permit a good length-tension relationship. This is needed for efficient arm movement and helps to prevent active insufficiency. Another reason why this is clinically important to know and understand is because of how it helps to maintain the subacromial space, if it is not maintained then it will become impinged, and the client will experience quite a bit of pain and it can lead to other problems. For example, the ratio of this relationship is 2:1 (the humerus being 2 and scapula being 1) if the scapula doesn't move how it should then friction will occur in this space. When the relationship between the scapula and humerus is in it's most optimal position it allows for a larger and more efficient range of motion to occur. The primary scapula movements for shoulder elevation is an upward rotation, posterior tilt, and then

I decided to listen to the podcast on OT and ADHD because I am interested in working in the pediatric field and ADHD is something that you always run into as an OT and with an added bonus it was a podcast starring our very own, Dr. Lancaster! While listening I learned why occupational therapists are always using the broken crayons when it comes to coloring or handwriting. During my time at Pediatrics Plus I noticed children using half the crayon but never really asked why but in the podcast I learned it's because it forces the child to use their fingers rather than their hands, which build and work on the fine motor skills and strength for the child. Another thing I found interesting/clicked with me is that we all have a type of sensory issues but the moment it becomes diagnosable and OT services are needed is when it interferes with everyday life occupations/activities. When it gets to this point, the role of the OT is to give the child resources and the tools to focus on learning

Bony landmarks are an important part in ROM testing because it tells you where to place the goniometer in order to accurately test the range of motion for that area. By palpating for the bony landmarks and placing the goniometer in the correct position, the therapist is getting an accurate score therefore improving interrater and intrarater reliability. It is important to get this part right because if not the data becomes skewed and as a therapist you are unable to effectively work with the client.  The purpose of "test position" in manual muscle testing is to appropriately and accurately test the muscles and determine how to move forward in the therapy treatment plan. It's important for the muscles to be placed in their "optimal muscle contraction" which is mid position because it will give you the most accurate score. Also, it's important for the therapist to be mindful of where they are applying the resistance to accurately test it. You don't want

Every morning I sit and drink a cup of coffee to wake myself up and get ready for the day. My arm is already resting on the table so it is in extension. When I go to raise the cup to my mouth it is now in a flexed position. As I take a sip of the coffee my wrist is internally rotating. The motions of flexion and extension occur in the sagittal plane about a frontal axis. The motion of internal rotation occurs in the transverse plane about a vertical axis. The osteokinematics of this is an open kinematic chain because my trunk is stable but my distal ends (elbow and wrist) are moving. In terms of arthrokinematics, when I raise the cup to my mouth the radius is the convex segment which rolls posteriorly on the concave segment, which is the distal end of the humerus. The prime mover for elbow flexion is the biceps, which performs a concentric contraction.