Pumpkin Washing Station: A Fun Sensory Activity for Kids Are you looking for a sensory-filled activity for children to enjoy during the holidays? During the fall, pumpkins are everywhere, so why not take advantage of these fall favorites for a therapeutic activity? You can easily add pumpkins to your list of sensory items and create…
Help! My Shoulder Hurts. If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, especially related to your rotator cuff, you’re not alone. This type of pain can affect athletes, people with physically demanding jobs, and even those who spend most of their day sitting. The rotator cuff is made up of four small but important muscles—supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres…
Why Can’t My Baby Sit or Stand Yet? Most babies love sitting or standing because it allows them to see the world around them. However, learning to sit or stand independently is a gradual process. Babies do not automatically know how to do this; they must develop the necessary muscle control and coordination. In this…
Say Goodbye to Poor Posture: How to Reverse Creep with Targeted Exercises When it comes to achieving better posture, understanding how the body adapts over time is key. Contrary to what many believe, poor posture is not something you’re born with; it’s often the result of habits and activities built up over years. This adaptation,…
Why Sensory Regulation is Important for Language Development in Pediatric Therapy The Role of Sensory Regulation in Pediatric Therapy Sensory regulation is commonly a goal in occupational therapy, but it is also an important concept in speech-language therapy. Occupational therapy assists in the participation and function of “occupations” and daily activities. A child’s job is…
Preventing Falls: Essential Exercises and Tips for Older Adults September is Fall Prevention Month! As the weather cools down and we become more active, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard our health—especially when it comes to preventing falls. Falls are a common risk, particularly for older adults, and can lead to serious injuries.…
The Importance of Foot Muscle Development Before Wearing Shoes Our foot muscles, particularly those that assist in developing the arch, play a vital role in providing stability during standing, walking, and other movements. These muscles, when developed properly, help increase load capacity during running and provide joint stability during single-leg stance activities. During typical child…
Understanding Pain: A Complex and Subjective Experience “It REALLY hurts.” Pain is a tough subject. It is subjective. Not to say that your pain is not real or to say something does not REALLY hurt. However, pain can be perpetuated, magnified, and catastrophized based on your perspective and attitude towards your pain experience. My Personal…
What is Pediatric Feeding Therapy? Pediatric feeding therapy is designed to help children who have difficulties with feeding, eating, or swallowing. Feeding challenges can arise from a variety of issues, including medical conditions like gastroesophageal reflux, developmental disorders like autism or cerebral palsy, sensory processing difficulties, or behavioral issues. Pediatric feeding therapists, often speech-language pathologists…
Optimizing Aquatic Therapy: The Critical Role of Air and Water Temperature When clients enter the pool area for aquatic therapy at AzOPT, we often hear “Wow! It is so warm in here.” Even the pool water is warmer than most expect. While local gyms keep their pool areas with ambient air temperatures in the mid…
