Occupational therapy

This is the process of adjusting activities to make them suitable for people with specific needs or limitations. This can involve changes to the activity itself, the environment or the equipment used.

An occupational therapy driver's assessment is a comprehensive evaluation to help determine a person’s ability to drive safely and independently. It typically includes:
1. Medical history and review of records:

• Review of the individual's medical history, including any diagnoses, medications and surgeries.
• Assessment of any physical or cognitive impairments that may affect driving.

2. Functional assessment:

• Evaluation of a person’s physical abilities, such as range of motion, strength and the ability to walk without assistance
• Assessment of visual and cognitive abilities, including:
  • Vision/ Depth perception
  • Road sign recognition
  • Attention
  • Memory
  • Reaction time
  • Decision-making

3. Summary and recommendations:

• A written report summarizing the assessment findings and recommendations for driving, which may include:
  • Restrictions on driving (e.g., daytime only, restricted areas, no driving)
  • Adaptive equipment recommendations/referral
  • Referral for behind the wheel test, with a certified driver

4. Follow-up:

• Recommendations for follow-up evaluations to monitor the individual's driving abilities and ensure ongoing safety.

The specific components of a driver's assessment will vary depending on an individual's circumstances and the purpose of the evaluation. A referral is required. This service is available for cash pay: $200
 

Prevea therapy offers trigger point dry needling to help rapidly decrease pain and increase the mobility of your muscles. Trigger point dry needling is a minimally invasive technique that uses sterile, thin, filament needles to de-activate muscular trigger points. Sometimes, it may be combined with electrical stimulation to help with comfort and overall results. Learn more.

This is the process of using over-the-counter or custom-made devices or supports to immobilize, stabilize, or support the upper extremities (elbows, wrists, fingers, thumb).

Our purpose is to help individuals regain independence in daily living activities.

Common conditions:

• Difficulty with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, and eating
• Cognitive impairments (e.g., memory problems, difficulty concentrating)
• Fine motor difficulties
• Lymphedema
• Incision/radiation tissue restrictions

Treatment approaches:

• Adaptive equipment and assistive technology
• Home modifications
• Energy conservation techniques
• Cognitive rehabilitation strategies
• Activities of daily living training
• Lymphedema management
• Manual therapy techniques (e.g., massage, mobilization)

Benefits of therapy for cancer-related impairments

• Improved function: Regain independence in daily activities
• Enhanced quality of life: Experience less pain, fatigue and anxiety
• Increased confidence: Feel more empowered to manage challenges
• Better overall well-being: Improve physical, emotional and social health

Physical therapy and speech services are also available for cancer related impairments 

Therapy for ENT can help with conditions affecting the ears and eyes (making it difficult to read, disturb your balance or make you feel dizzy) as well as overcome or manage your conditions affecting your nose or throat (speaking clearly, swallowing or breathing properly a struggle).

For patients dealing with dizziness or poor balance — or any condition that affects the voice, swallowing or airway — our therapy specialists will develop a personalized plan to address their specific need. We offer the most advanced treatments available, to help patients regain balance and improve swallowing and communication.

You can trust us to provide physical, occupational and speech therapy that enhances and improves life, using the latest technology and treatment techniques. Whichever obstacle you’re facing, it can affect your happiness and quality of life. With the help of Prevea’s specialists, it doesn’t have to. We will work with you and your primary care provider to decrease your symptoms and help you complete activities with ease. 

• Concussion therapy

Edema is swelling caused by fluid in your body’s tissues. It usually occurs in the feet, ankles and legs, but it can involve your entire body. This swelling may be caused by disease (such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease and thyroid disorders), a birth defect, surgery, cancer treatment or other problems.

Lymphedema is swelling caused by a build-up of lymph fluid in the body. The lymph system (lymphatic vessels) filters and drains excess fluid in your body. If the lymph system is damaged, the fluid builds up and causes swelling. Lymphedema is recognized as a complication following cancer treatment; however, it can develop from edema that is not managed. In rare instances, a person is born with a challenged lymphatic system.

Treatment options from Prevea’s expert team of therapists include:

• Compression garments/bandaging to maintain reduction
• Decongestive therapy
• Decrease swelling
• Lymphedema treatment
• Manual lymphatic massage
• Pneumatic pump to enhance swelling reduction
• Skin care and scar management
• Wound management

Find a Lymphedema provider

At Prevea you have access to the only certified low-vision treatment therapist in Wisconsin north of Milwaukee and Madison.Our expert works with people experiencing age-related or other forms of vision loss to help them perform everyday tasks like reading or writing with less difficulty.

Treatment options include:

• Adapted eye movements
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Cataract
• Contrast enhancements
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glare control
• Glaucoma
• Night blindness
• OrCam trainer
• Proper use of magnification devices
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Specialized lighting
• Stargardt's DiseaseSubchoroidal neovascularization
• Subchoroidal neovascularization

Prevea offers innovative technology for vision as one of the few health care organizations with a certified OrCam trainer to help people who are low vision or blind to see with an OrCam discreet wearable device. 

When you’re facing a neurological condition, tackling small, everyday tasks is often one of your top priorities. With a large network of neuro-rehabilitative therapists and multiple convenient locations, Prevea has the expertise to help people overcome neurological deficits and maximize their independence. We will help you achieve your best quality of life.

When injury, illness or disease affects a patient’s nervous system, we stay at the forefront of therapy techniques to help enhance balance and strength, restore movement, and improve speech and cognition. It’s a true collaboration across multiple disciplines, including physical, occupational and speech therapy. And, it’s all focused on enhancing the quality of life of our patients, their families and their caregivers.

Prevea’s neurological therapy program provides specialized and comprehensive care for any type of neurological condition, short or long term, that can benefit from therapy.

Treatment options are available to people who experience:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Bioness® H200 and L300 electrical stimulation for improved hand movement and walking
• Brain injury
• Brain tumors
• Guillian Barre
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Muscular Dystrophy Clinic
• Parkinson’s Clinic 
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Specialized weight-supported walking equipment
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke
• Visual perceptual rehabilitation program

Our dedicated orthopedic therapy team uses state-of-the-art equipment and work hands-on with you to manipulate your joints, muscle and soft tissue to improve mobility, relieve pain and restore function.

We work closely with your physician to develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include manual therapy, exercise, strength training and options for pain control, to help you regain independence after an injury or surgery so you can get moving again and back to the things you enjoy most in life.

• Arthritis pain
• Blood flow restriction therapy [link to web page]
• Custom Splinting
• Elbow pain and injury 
• Ergonomics
• Hand therapy
• Wrist pain and injury 
• Osteoporosis management
• Shoulder pain and injury including rotator cuff
• Fine motor skills development
• Work-related injuries

Physical and occupational therapy plays a vital role in helping patients manage and overcome pain issues. Physical therapists certified in therapeutic pain management can help patients understand the underlying cause of their pain and create individualized treatment plans based on the patient’s goals and expectations. 

The chronic pain treatment at Prevea uses a variety of evidence-guided treatments. The length of the program is determined by the individual’s needs and will be discussed at the first appointment. Most insurance programs will cover this type of physical rehabilitation. 

At the first appointment, a thorough examination will be performed. This will consist of evaluation of your muscles, nerves and overall movement patterns. We will discuss your current thoughts on pain and scientific research regarding pain science. Together, based on our findings, we will create a specific plan for you. 

Conditions we treat include:

• Arthritis pain
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Myofascial pain
• Phantom limb pain
• Posture pain

Caring for children is different than caring for adults. It requires special expertise and a special commitment. So, when your child has a need for occupational therapy, Prevea Health will provide your family with an experienced team you can trust.

Our pediatric specialized team of occupational therapists provide care to young patients for everything from orthopedic injuries to neurological conditions, to juvenile arthritis or cerebral palsy. Prevea also partners with HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital in Green Bay to offer your child the most advanced, expert care in the area.

For a complete list of services visit our therapy for pediatrics page.