Cairns Occupational Therapy Services

Our Occupational Therapists specialise in evaluating and treating any problem related to fingers, hands or arms. The therapist uses their expertise to accurately assess and provide effective therapy programs for diagnoses such as:

• Amputation
• Arthritis
• Burns
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Crush Injuries
• Dupuytren's Contracture
• Fractures
• Joint Replacements
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Sprains and Strains
• Tendon or Nerve Injury

The goal of hand therapy is to accelerate the patients return to a productive lifestyle, minimising the impact of the injury on work, home and leisure activities.

• Functional Capacity Evaluations
• Worksite/Ergonomic Assessments
• Development and Monitoring of Graduated Return to Work Programs
• Pre-employment Screenings
• OHS Training
• Medico-legal Assessments
• Suitable Duties Programs
• Injury Prevention Programs
• Case Management Services

We provide medicolegal assessments and reports for clients undergoing legal proceedings related to their injuries. Our focus is on how the individual’s activities of daily living and roles in life have been affected by the injury. This type of assessment may be performed at our office, within the workplace or at the individual’s home.

Medicolegal reports are comprehensive and objective, and report on the following:

• History of the injury and pre-existing conditions
• Education and Employment History
• Client’s perceived capacities
• Assessment of pain
• Physical Assessment Findings - including range of motion, strength, sensation, hand function
• Assessed Functional Capacities - including dynamic tolerances and weighted capacities
• Summary of findings
• Recommendations - particularly relating to work, activities of daily living, need for assistance or adaptive equipment / home modifications.

Our therapists frequently perform assessments at client's homes for those who have undergone changes in their physical or cognitive abilities from either injury or illness. The focus of a home assessment is to increase the client’s independence and safety.

• Increase the safety and independence after an illness or injury
• Prescription of adaptive equipment
• Teaching different techniques for everyday actions

Cognitive, physical and perceptual rehabilitation following neurological injury eg. head injury, stroke. The aim is to increase the client's ability to function independently and resume their usual roles in life

• assessment and treatment of cognitive and perceptual problems eg. teaching compensation for affected memory, attention, planning skills
• assessment and treatment of physical limitations such as increased tone, tremor, fine motor control, reduced strength
• treatment may incorporate home assessments and return to work planning

• Management of burns and wounds
• Individualised prescription of compression garments and silicone based products
• Education on scar management
• Monitoring of the scars and use of compression therapy over time to optimise the appearance of the scar

• Lymphatic drainage massage
• Bandaging and the prescription of compression garments
• Education for self management

Using soft tissue treatment techniques and incorporating conventional and complementary therapies we can help you:

• Improve signalling from your nervous system to all parts of your body, including your limbs, digestive and reproductive organs
• Reduce muscle tension and teach strategies for self management of your body’s stressors which will help regulate your hormone levels
• Assist you to modify your routines, habits and environment to facilitate a healthier lifestyle, greater productivity and reduce the risk of injury
• Stop the niggling aches and pains affecting your sleep or turning into bigger problems

We can help you:

• Improve your arm movement and prevent stiffness and tight muscles affecting your everyday tasks.
• Improve the appearance of your scars and reduce the impact of your scarring on lymphatic drainage and shoulder movement.
• Teach you how to improve your lymphatic drainage and reduce your risks of developing chronic oedema / lymphoedema.
• Teach you self-management of lymphoedema via massage, exercises, compression bandaging / garments if necessary.

Treatment is often best begun pre-op or in the early weeks following surgery, but can be started at any time. Call to make an appointment.