OT / PT Services

Occupational and physical therapists are part of the healthcare team at the Rheumatology Clinic at Cincinnati Children’s. The therapy we offer is aimed at maintaining and restoring your child’s ability to function in her everyday environment.

Our occupational and physical therapists evaluate each patient and develop a home exercise program that fits his unique needs. They also work with each patient and her family members to educate them about how to manage the child’s condition and achieve the highest possible level of activity.

Occupational and physical therapists have similar areas of focus, but address different parts of the body and prepare patients to handle different types of activities.

Occupational therapists focus on the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders and neck. They evaluate how your child uses these body parts in activities such as writing, getting dressed and carrying things.

Physical therapists focus on the feet, ankles, knees, hips, back and neck. They evaluate how your child uses these body parts for activities such as walking and playing. They also teach your child how to maintain good posture during daily activities.

How Often Will I Need Therapy Visits?

Most therapy visits take place at the Rheumatology Clinic on the same day as your child’s doctor appointment. Occasionally we may recommend that a child return for one or two therapy sessions between doctor visits depending on how far apart the visits are scheduled.   

Therapy is family centered, and we teach you how your child should do exercises at home, how to adjust activities and how to reduce pain.

We assess your child’s physical condition and functional status at each visit and adapt the home exercise program as needed. There may be times when patients need occupational or physical therapy more often because of special issues, such as serial casting for tight joints, splinting adjustment or iontophoresis treatment. If your family lives far from the hospital, we will make every effort to work with therapists in your area so your child can get the treatment he needs closer to home.