OT/PT

I always forget the difference between OT and PT so I looked it up.

OT=Occupational Therapy=a form of therapy for those recuperating from physical or mental illness that encourages rehabilitation through the performance of activities required in daily life. 

PT=Physical Therapy=the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery. 

So generally speaking, OT has to do with getting back life skills and PT has to do with helping injury or discomfort.

I have noticed that whenever Gregory is "off" as in not feeling well, having a cold or flu, having his meds out of balance, having emotional highs or lows ... his neck is the first to go. It lists to the right with chin to chest and looks very uncomfortable and painful.

When you try to help him move his head back to "normal" he winces and/or "ouches." So both Manny and I give Gregory lots of back rubs and use pillows to help support his head when watching TV or eating or whatever.

I made this a priority because I know that good posture has always been important to Gregory and having back/neck problems myself, I know how painful having your body out of alignment can be.

Medicare has strict guidelines for when they will pay for OT/PT and only for a certain amount of time and if the patient shows continued improvement. Gregory has had several sessions since last January which eventually expired for one reason or another.

Periodically I approach the head nurse and ask her to ask for a re-evaluation by the OT/PT staff to see if therapy would be right again for Gregory and if he again meets Medicare requirements. 

A few weeks ago, he once again qualified and after three sessions a week, his neck has been looking much better. 

Following are a few videos that Manny took with his iPhone (a gift from Gregory and me) of today's treatment. You can see how comfortable and relaxed Gregory gets during these treatments. 

His therapist, Pam, is quite wonderful and Gregory has come to trust her with electro stimulation, massage, and using special support tapes on his neck.

Pam asks, "Does it feel good?"

Gregory replies, "Yes. I love it!"

Gregory is resting after electro-stir, massage, and heat pack.

Manny is singing gently in the background.

Progress

Gregory, looking good and feel in' fine!

 On the stationary bicycle for 15 minutes! Wow.

A "selfie" of Gregory walking down the hall.

Quite an accomplishment!

OT/PT

Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. Gregory will be getting both, five days a week, for the near future. The goal is to help him gain back some of his strength after a fall, a two inch gash on the back of his head and a bruise on the forehead, a Grand Mal Seizure with new medicine that causes drowsiness for a while, and a bout with the Flu with medication that has been compared to "being hit by a truck."

He is at greater risk for falling out of a chair because he is so sleepy so they put him in the chair pictured. He can easily be moved around and can doze off without being a risk to his safety. Most regular wheel chairs are too small for Gregory's height, he isn't strong enough to hold his legs up while being pushed, and they are easy from which to fall out. The chair looks like SHIT but serves its purpose.

I spend approximately one hour with him during both OT and PT. He practiced throwing and catching a beach ball with Andrea. At first he was unable to coordinate his arms and hands to do so. I asked if I could help and she said, "Sure." Gregory was able to work through his inability with me and threw the ball with increased energy. I almost cried. He smiled. Then he proceed to throw and catch with Andrea.

Next with the help of four people (and me) he was able to stand up from the wheel chair and using parallel bars walk several feet. Everyone was excited for him and I could tell he was proud of himself.

Getting him to sit down was another story. Whether because of fear, or pain, or stubbornness he had a very hard time sitting down. All five of us were trying to direct him at the same time or in rapid fire. Andrea was the first to realize, "Hey guys. One at a time."

He was finally able to sit down while leaning his head on Andrea's shoulder, possibly for physical support but most likely for moral support and confidence!

Next Nick worked with Gregory to help manipulate his feet and arms, facilitating their movement with his own. After that Nick and I were able to get Gregory up a second time and he walked several steps. (Amazing for what one is grateful!)

Sitting down as very difficult again. To help him relax I began sining the "Soft Kitty" song made popular on the long running "Big Bang Theory" TV series. Sheldon's mother used to sing the song when he was ill and the "little boy" in him still needs to hear it when he is not feeling well.

Before I knew it, four other therapists joined in the singing, Gregory relaxed, and then was able to let us help him back into the chair. Hard holding back tears.

Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur.
Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr, purr, purr.

Comparison chart

	Occupational Therapy	Physical Therapy
Definition	Occupational therapy (also abbreviated as OT) is a holistic health care profession that aims to promote health by enabling individuals to perform meaningful and purposeful activities across the lifespan.	A health care profession primarily concerned with the remediation (fixing) of impairments and disabilities and the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement potential
Focus	Helping people live as independently as possible. Restoring function. E.g. brushing teeth, combing hair, going to the bathroom etc	Helping people move better and get relief from pain. Restoring movement and mobility. E.g. stand up, walk, get in and out of bed etc
Who needs it	People with mental and physical impairments, developmental disabilities, after sudden serious health conditions like a stroke, Chronic conditions, like arthritis, after a work-related injury.	After injuries or long-term health problems like back pain, Osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis.