Cairns Occupational Therapy Services

We provide specialised Hand Therapy services for those with injuries or illnesses affecting hand function. We use skills such as:

• wound care
• scar management
• splinting
• mobilisation techniques
• oedema management
• pain management
• desensitisation/sensory re-education and
• soft tissue release techniques.

Our aim is to rehabilitate the client so their condition no longer affects their function, or if that is not possible then teach compensatory strategies to overcome any limitations.

• Functional capacity evaluations
• Pre-employment screenings
• Worksite assessments
• Suitable duties programmes
• Injury prevention programmes and
• 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.

We provide home assessments 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. This may mean prescribing assistive devices eg. a rail or adaptive cutlery. It may also mean teaching the client a different technique eg. rolling onto side and using other leg to help get out of bed.

Cognitive and physical 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 blending aspects of 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 and habits to facilitate a healthier lifestyle.
• Work effectively within your environment to reduce the risk of injury.
• Reduce 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.