Specialties & Services

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy can help you regain independence when injury or illness interferes with your daily activities. BJC HealthCare’s roster of licensed occupational therapists and assistants help get patients back to their routines as quickly as possible.

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Why choose us for occupational therapy care?

BJC HealthCare works with WashU Medicine physicians, BJC Medical Group, and providers across the region to treat you. You deserve extraordinary care that helps you get back to doing the things you love.  

With us, you can expect:   

  • Collaborative approaches: Our team works alongside physical therapists, speech therapists, and referring physicians to ensure you receive extraordinary care. Our systems keep these experts updated at every stage to ensure they understand your condition and diagnose it correctly.  
  • Specialized services: We offer many specialty rehabilitation services, including adaptive equipment, home alterations to minimize fall risk, and exercises to help build motor skills or complete daily routines comfortably.  

Physical Therapist

Physical therapist working with woman on leg stretches.

What is a physical therapist?

Physical therapy focuses on the evaluation, management, and prevention of disorders of human motion.

Physical therapists (PTs) are important members of the rehab (rehabilitation) team. They evaluate and provide treatment for people with health problems and disabilities caused by injury, disease, overuse, pain, or loss of a body part.

PTs focus on restoring a person's movement (mobility) and function. They also help prevent further disability, reduce risk for injury, and reduce activity limitations. In many instances, a course of physical therapy can help you avoid surgery.

PTs may provide treatment and education for:

  • Mobility

  • Balance and gait retraining

  • Heat and cold therapy and massage

  • Activities of daily living

  • Burn care

  • Casting and splinting

  • Wheelchair, walkers, canes, and crutches

  • Muscle retraining

    Resuming sports after injuries

  • Pain management

  • Cardiovascular strengthening

  • Use of braces and splints (orthotics) and prosthetics artificial limbs (prosthetics)

  • Exercise programs

    Addressing specific physical issues, including bladder and and gastrointestinal function

PTs work in many settings, including:

  • Hospitals

  • Nursing homes

  • Inpatient rehab centers

  • Outpatient rehab centers

  • Community and home health settings

  • Schools

  • Industrial health centers

  • Sports facilities

  • Private practice

Today, PTs who enter the profession must earn a doctorate from a school accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association. To practice, all graduates must be licensed in their state by passing a national certification exam.

Occupational therapy services and treatments

Our occupational therapists are skilled in helping care for a wide array of injuries and chronic disorders and helping you get back to living your best life. 

Orthopedic physical therapy

 We use exercise, strength training, pain relief therapies, and other treatments to help you recover from muscle, joint, and bone conditions. You may benefit from orthopedic rehabilitation if you have arthritis, chronic spine pain, sports injuries, or other issues.

Post-joint-replacement physical therapy

Physical therapy after joint replacement can speed your recovery and improve your outcome following surgery. We offer inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation therapy to help you manage pain and restore mobility.

Vestibular rehabilitation

 Physical therapists can help you with balance problems such as dizziness and vertigo. We guide you through special maneuvers, visual exercises, and balance activities to help you reduce symptoms and your risk of falls.

Pelvic floor therapy

 Our team includes licensed physical therapists with specialized training in pelvic health. Pelvic floor rehabilitation can help address pelvic pain, incontinence, urinary urgency, and other problems.

Neurorehabilitation

 We offer neurorehabilitation for people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, strokes, and other movement disorders. Physical therapists help you safely build muscle strength, coordination, and balance.

Lymphedema therapy

Lymphedema is fluid-induced swelling in your arms and legs that can cause pain, numbness, and difficulty with movement. Certified lymphedema therapists use specialized massage, bandaging, compression garments, and other techniques to help you find relief.

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Our highly trained team of specialists offers advanced treatments as well as compassionate, personalized care.

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