Therapy Archives · Independent Living

Occupational therapists, or OTs, work with anyone who may be experiencing physical, psychological and/or social problems, either from birth or as a result of trauma, illness or ageing. An OT’s goal is to help clients have independent, productive, and satisfying lives.

A Physiotherapist, or physio, also works with people who have had illness, surgery or injury, using physical methods, such as prescribed exercise, massage and manipulation, to help restore range of movement and promote healing.

The activities of OTs and physios often overlap, but the disciplines are focused on different outcomes. An occupational therapist will help their clients to manage their health conditions so that they can have achieve their goals in terms of working, living independently, etc. Physiotherapists aim to maintain or restore physical function. An OT may well work with people whose problems are psychological or emotional, whereas a physio concentrates on physical problems.

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) specialise in helping people who have problems with communication, either difficulty speaking or using language; or hearing or understanding language. They can also help with difficulties in chewing or swallowing food and drinks.

There is also a wide range of creative and sensory therapies available to carers working with individuals with learning disabilities, autism and a range of sensory and cognitive impairments.

What do occupational therapists do? An OT explains what OTs do!

Why are OT services so complicated? The OTs’ professional body writes about integration of services

Expert suppliers’ views of OT services

Physical Therapy – products to help with rehabilitation

Standing Support – support and rehab for those unable to stand unaided

Sensory Therapy – reaching people with learning disabilities, sensory or cognitive impairments, through a range of creative and sensory therapies

Speech & Language Therapy – how SLTs can help adults and children who have problems with communication, language skills, feeding or swallowing

Joint Care relief from pressure for vulnerable joints

Chartered physio Robin McNelis writes about rehab at home

65 for 65 – managing Long Covid 0 comments

65 for 65 – managing Long Covid As the world continues to grapple with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals are finding themselves dealing with a condition known [...]

Picture taken at Westminster of (L-R) Louisa Akers, Chris Kamara, Samantha Berry, Saqib Bhatti MP, Peter Just (RCSLT), Gillian Rudd, Mikey Akers, Sharon Oliphant (BCU expert by experience), Jordan Hunt (BCU expert by experience) and Georgia Leckie. Credit: Saqib Bhatti MP

More SLTs needed 0 comments

Need for more investment in SLT The UK’s Health and Social Care Minister has agreed to meet with a Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) expert at Birmingham City University (BCU) [...]

Virtual reality session helps reduce cancer pain

Virtual Reality and cancer pain relief 2 comments

Trial shows VR can help cancer pain Results support adding this non-invasive, non-pharmacologic therapy to improve the health and quality of life of people with cancer. Pain management is a [...]

Stella with robotic dog borrowed from tech lending library

Tech lending library 2 comments

Alternative Futures Group – Tech lending library Health and social care charity Alternative Futures Group (AFG) is offering the people it supports the chance to borrow a range of automated [...]

COVID Posture 2 comments

COVID Posture and how to get rid of it. Caroline Freedman writes about “COVID posture” – one of the less talked about effects of the pandemic. Caroline is a Personal [...]

Rehab robot helps stroke survivors 0 comments

Combat stroke disability with rehab robot A clever new portable rehabilitation tool can help stroke survivors recover the ability to move and perform tasks with their hands independently. We all know [...]

Occupational therapist working with older clients

Occupational Therapists at Work 4 comments

This page looks at what occupational therapy is and how Occupational Therapists (OTs) work. Click the links below to go to more on: What is occupational therapy? How does the [...]

Speech & Language Therapy Comments disabled

Speech & Language Therapists (SLTs) also known colloquially as SALTS, work with adults and children who have problems with communication, language skills, feeding or swallowing. There are about 12,500 SLTs [...]

Sensory Therapy Comments disabled

There is a wide range of creative and sensory therapies available to carers working with individuals with learning disabilities and a range of sensory and cognitive impairments. This section is [...]