Occupational Therapy Services & Treatments

Are you or your child challenged with performing everyday activities? Our occupational therapists at Mayo Clinic Health System can help you improve your ability to participate fully in work, school or leisure activities, and regain your quality of life.

Find out more about our occupational therapy services:

Conditions and consultations

An occupational therapist will meet with you to create a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms and medical history.

Conditions treated include:

Arthritis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Hand, wrist and forearm strains, sprains and fractures
Low vision
Lymphedema
Muscular dystrophy
Nerve injuries
Neurological conditions, including head injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, stroke and traumatic brain injury
Pediatrics, including autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, feeding concerns and sensory issues
Tendinitis and epicondylitis
Visual and perceptual deficit management

Diagnosis and treatments

Whether you're hospitalized or are being seen on an outpatient basis, our occupational therapists apply the appropriate treatments to ensure you reach your goals.

Treatments provided include:

Activities of daily living performance
Adaptive equipment
Child development or pediatric therapy
Cognitive evaluation
Driving assessment
Hand therapy
In-clinic driving evaluation
Individualized evaluation and goal-setting
Industrial rehabilitation, including office ergonomics, job site assessment and functional capacity evaluation
Neurological rehabilitation
Orthopedic rehabilitation
Sensory and feeding evaluation
Splint fabrication and training
Wheelchair positioning

Occupational therapy specialists

Occupational therapy practitioners are experts in helping people perform everyday activities.

Our specialists include:

Occupational therapists
Occupational therapy assistants

Additional care and therapies may be provided by:

Find an occupational therapist near you.

Referrals

A referral is required, and your primary care provider can help refer you. Call the appointment number of your preferred Occupational Therapy location to learn more.

FAQ

What should I expect during my first appointment, and what should I bring?

During your initial visit, you will discuss your goals for therapy, and the occupational therapist will evaluate your concerns. After the evaluation, the therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan with you. Your therapy team will provide education, treatment, intervention, management and counseling for you and your family.

For your first appointment, bring any imaging or medical records from non-Mayo Clinic Health System facilities. Complete a medical records release form (PDF) to authorize the transfer of health records from another healthcare facility to us. Visit our Medical Record Forms page for this form and other forms in multiple languages.

How does pediatric occupational therapy support my child’s overall development?

If you have concerns about your child's development, pediatric therapy can help your child learn new skills through age-appropriate play, adaptive equipment and strengthening programs. Pediatric occupational therapists help infants, children and families reach maximum function while at home or school, and in the community.

After meeting with you to discuss your concerns and observe your child participating in various activities, an occupational therapist may conduct specific testing to assess your child's current abilities and then determine if services are recommended, the frequency for therapy, goals of treatment, and ideas for home activities.

How can occupational therapy benefit those with a neurological dysfunction?

The goal of neurological rehabilitation is to maximize independent functioning within the community and address the specific needs and concerns of those with neurological dysfunction.

Therapists coordinate with primary care providers, surgeons and family members to develop a comprehensive clinical and home treatment plan consistent with the individual's abilities and goals.

In what ways can hand therapy be beneficial?

Benefits of hand therapy include:

Conditioning prior to returning to work
Desensitization and sensory re-education following nerve injury or trauma
Developing individualized home exercise programs to increase range of motion, dexterity and strength
Functional training with a focus on daily life skills
Managing acute and chronic pain
Preventive, nonoperative or conservative treatment
Splint fabrication for prevention or correction of injury

Individualized hand therapy may benefit patients with:

Arthritis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome
De Quervain's tenosynovitis
Digital amputation
Distal radius fracture
Dupuytren's disease
Phalangeal fracture or dislocation
Post-op trigger finger
Stiffness/decreased hand or wrist range of motion
Tendon transfers

What are my payment options, and do you offer financial assistance?

Visit the billing page of your preferred location for information on insurance, billing and payments.

We serve patients in difficult financial circumstances and offer financial assistance to those who have an established need to receive medically necessary services. Learn more about financial assistance options.

Can you provide a second opinion?

Yes — simply call the appointment number at your preferred Occupational Therapy location. See What should I expect during my first appointment? for tips on how to prepare.

Do you have an after-hours number in case of emergency?

Always call 911 in case of an emergency. For after-hours help with other issues, get virtual care 24/7 through the Primary Care On Demand app or review our convenient care options.