How Occupational Therapy Gets You Back to the Life You Love

(Even After Injury or Illness)

You don’t realize how much you use your hands and arms until something as simple as brushing your teeth, cooking dinner, or sending a text feels impossible.That’s where occupational therapy (OT) comes in.At Riverbend Physical Therapy, our licensed occupational therapists don’t just treat an injury — we help you get back to doing the things that matter most to you, whether that’s gardening with your grandkids, typing at work, or simply getting dressed without pain.

What Actually Is Occupational Therapy?

While physical therapy focuses on improving how you move, occupational therapy focuses on improving how you live.

We help you safely and confidently perform your daily “occupations” — anything that occupies your time and gives your life meaning:

• Self-care (dressing, bathing, eating)
• Work or school tasks
• Leisure and hobbies
• Driving
• Caring for family

Common Conditions We Treat with Occupational Therapy

Our OT team in Metairie and River Ridge regularly helps patients with:

• Hand & wrist injuries (fractures, tendonitis, carpal tunnel release
• Arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid)
• Stroke or neurological conditions
• Rotator cuff repairs & shoulder surgeries
• Trigger finger & De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
• Dupuytren’s contracture
• Tennis/golfer’s elbow (epicondylitis)
• Post-mastectomy or lymphedema management
• Repetitive strain from desk or manual jobs

‍

‍

What to Expect During Your Occupational Therapy Sessions

Every plan is 100% customized, but most patients experience a combination of:

1. Hands-on manual therapy
   Joint mobilizations, soft-tissue work, scar massage, and edema (swelling) control.
2. Custom splinting
   We design and fabricate splints right in the clinic (resting splints, functional splints, or silver ring splints for arthritis).
3. Activity modification & adaptive equipment
   Learn energy-conservation techniques or try tools like built-up handles, button hooks, or jar openers that make life dramatically easier.
4. Therapeutic exercises & nerve glides
   Targeted movements to restore strength, dexterity, and reduce nerve irritation.
5. Real-life practice
   We simulate your actual daily tasks in the clinic — typing on a keyboard, folding laundry, or pouring from a heavy pot — so improvements carry over to home immediately.

Real Results from Real Patients

“I couldn’t hold a coffee cup after my wrist fracture. After 8 weeks of OT with Jeff, I’m back to painting watercolor landscapes — my favorite hobby for 30 years.”‍

— Linda R., Metairie

“As a hair stylist, trigger finger was threatening my career. Custom splinting and exercises got me back to cutting hair pain-free in under 6 weeks.”‍

— Jessica T., River Ridge

Ready to Regain Your Independence?

Don’t let pain or limited hand/arm function steal another day from the life you love.

Call us at (504) 603-6044 or click below to schedule your occupational therapy evaluation at our River Ridge or Metairie clinic.

Most patients feel improvement within the first 2–3 visits, and many insurance plans (including Medicare) cover OT with a referral.

Book Your OT Evaluation Today

We’re here to help you live better — one meaningful task at a time.

Riverbend Physical Therapy

Serving River Ridge • Metairie • Covington • New Orleans

‍

‍