Practical Care That Helps You Live, Work, and Play With Confidence
Occupational therapy in Lansing, MI helps people do the activities that matter most. If an injury, surgery, or health condition makes daily tasks harder, occupational therapists teach safer ways to move, adapt the task or the environment, and restore strength and coordination. The goal is simple: help you dress, cook, type, lift, drive, and return to work or hobbies with comfort and control.
At Michigan Orthopedic Center, our occupational therapist in Lansing, MI works closely with fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists to deliver coordinated, evidence-based care. We combine skilled treatment with clear education so you understand what to do, why it helps, and how to keep your progress going at home.
What Occupational Therapy Is
Skills For Daily Living
Occupational therapy, or OT, focuses on function. Your therapist evaluates how your hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder moves, how much endurance you have, and which tasks are difficult. Then we build a plan that restores motion and strength, reduces pain and swelling, and teaches strategies to perform daily activities safely. For many hand and upper extremity conditions, OT includes custom splint fabrication to protect healing tissues while allowing the right amount of movement.
Who Benefits From OT
Common Conditions We Treat
Our OT helps patients with a wide range of orthopedic concerns, including:
- Hand, wrist, and elbow fractures or dislocations
- Tendon and ligament injuries, including post-surgical repair
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve compression conditions
- Tendonitis, overuse injuries, and work-related strain
- Arthritis affecting the hand, wrist, or elbow
- Shoulder problems that limit dressing, lifting, or sleep
- Scar stiffness, swelling, and sensitivity after injury or surgery
If your condition affects how you button a shirt, grip a steering wheel, lift a pan, or type at work, occupational therapy can help.
How OT Works In Your Body And Your Day
Occupational therapy improves function through targeted treatment and task practice. Your therapist may use:
- Manual techniques to improve soft tissue mobility and joint motion
- Therapeutic exercises to build strength, coordination, and endurance
- Edema control to reduce swelling and improve comfort
- Scar management to keep skin flexible and reduce sensitivity
- Neuromuscular reeducation to restore normal movement patterns
- Activity-specific training for work tasks, self care, and recreation
- Ergonomic and tool recommendations to make tasks safer and less stressful
By matching treatment to real-life tasks, OT supports lasting, meaningful results.
Clear Wins From Occupational Therapy
- Less pain and stiffness during daily activities
- Better grip strength, dexterity, and coordination
- Safer lifting, carrying, and reaching strategies
- Improved joint protection and energy conservation
- Faster return to work and hobbies with fewer setbacks
- Confidence to perform tasks independently
Our Occupational Therapy Techniques
Upper Extremity Splint Fabrication
Upper extremity splint fabrication creates a custom-made brace or support for the hand, wrist, elbow, or forearm. These splints help protect healing tissues, improve alignment, and support function during recovery. Your occupational therapist designs each splint to fit comfortably while meeting your specific treatment goals—whether that’s reducing pain, improving mobility, or preventing further injury. Splints may be used after fractures, tendon repairs, nerve injuries, or joint inflammation. Adjustments are made as healing progresses to ensure optimal comfort and effectiveness. This personalized approach helps you regain function and return to your daily activities with improved strength, stability, and confidence.
Paraffin Treatment
Paraffin treatment uses warm, melted wax to soothe painful or stiff joints in the hands, wrists, or elbows. The gentle heat increases blood flow, relaxes muscles, and eases discomfort, making movement easier. Your therapist guides you through the process—dipping the affected area into the wax several times, then wrapping it to retain heat. After the wax is removed, your joints and muscles are more flexible, allowing for easier stretching and exercise. Paraffin treatment is often used for arthritis, chronic stiffness, or after injury to improve comfort and mobility as part of a larger therapy plan.
Fluidotherapy
Fluidotherapy is a warm air therapy that uses tiny particles suspended in heated air to create a gentle, massaging effect around the hand, wrist, or forearm. This treatment increases circulation, reduces stiffness, and provides pain relief, making it easier to move and use the affected area. The dry heat also allows for active movement during treatment, which can improve strength and range of motion. Fluidotherapy is often used for arthritis, post-surgical stiffness, or soft tissue injuries. Your occupational therapist may combine it with exercises or stretching to maximize flexibility and prepare the area for functional activities.
Patient Education
Patient education in occupational therapy empowers you to take an active role in your recovery. Your therapist will explain your diagnosis, outline the purpose of each treatment, and demonstrate safe techniques for daily tasks at home, work, or in the community. Education may include joint protection strategies, adaptive equipment training, and home exercise programs to improve strength and mobility. Understanding your condition and the “why” behind each activity builds confidence and helps you stay committed to your care plan. With the right knowledge and tools, you can maintain progress and regain independence in your daily life.
If your hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder is keeping you from daily tasks, contact Michigan Orthopedic Center in Lansing, MI today to schedule an occupational therapy evaluation. We will create a clear plan to help you move with comfort and return to the activities that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy?
How long will I need occupational therapy?
Will I receive a splint or brace?
What To Expect At Michigan Orthopedic Center
From First Visit To Return To Routine
- Evaluation and goal setting – Your occupational therapist in Lansing, MI reviews your history, measures motion and strength, and identifies the tasks you want to improve.
- Personalized treatment plan – Your therapist outlines the steps, frequency, and home program that will move you toward your goals.
- Skilled treatment – Sessions may include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, splinting, fluidotherapy or paraffin for heat, kinesiology taping, and activity practice.
- Education and home program – You receive clear instructions with pictures or videos when helpful, including pacing, joint protection, and symptom control.
- Progress checks and upgrades – We track your results and progress exercises so you keep improving without flaring symptoms.
- Safe return to work and play – We simulate your tasks, adjust your setup, and provide strategies to prevent future problems.
Every plan is coordinated with your surgeon or referring provider so treatment supports the healing timeline for your specific procedure or diagnosis.
Why Patients Choose Michigan Orthopedic Center
- Team-based care – An occupational therapist, physical therapists, and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons collaborate on your plan.
- Conservative-first mindset – We start with therapies that support healing and function, reserving surgery for cases where it is structurally necessary.
- Custom solutions – From splints to workstation changes, every recommendation fits your body, your tasks, and your goals.
- Evidence-based treatment – Interventions reflect current best practices and are adjusted based on your response.
- Clear communication – Step-by-step guidance so you know what to do, how to do it safely, and what to expect next.
Your Next Steps…
- Request An Appointment
- Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
- Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
- Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free
