ERGOTHERAPIE-PRAXIS

Occupational therapy restores your ability to act. We treat motor and cognitive impairments and also strengthen mental stability. You will regain autonomy in your actions. Enjoy greater productivity, activity, and quality of life in your work and leisure time.

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OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE

We treat, accompany, and support patients with all diagnoses in a way that is as close to everyday life as possible. You will regain your independence and become active again in your career as well as in activities with your family and in your free time.

THE ZOLLIKOFEN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE OFFERS THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF EXPERTISE

The interdisciplinary networked work of the Zollikofen Occupational Therapy Practice in its various areas of expertise forms the basis for the patient's recovery process. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will be happy to answer them.

PEDIATRICS

Graphomotor deficits and perceptual disorders often manifest themselves in children in the form of problems at school, difficulties getting dressed, social abnormalities, or communication weaknesses. Occupational therapy treatment addresses these issues directly and trains fine motor skills and body awareness: we play, exercise, bake, and do crafts with the children. The child develops new skills, which in turn lead to new self-confidence and healthy self-assurance.

In cases of cerebral palsy (often diagnosed before the age of two), occupational therapy teaches children how to use their paretic hand in play.

In general, close cooperation with the child's environment is important in pediatrics: parents, teachers, and other caregivers are involved in the therapeutic process.

ADHD

Occupational therapy addresses existing motor and perceptual disorders. Children learn to understand their bodies better, experience their limits in a safe environment, and steer their behavior in appropriate directions—directions that are acceptable to society as well as to themselves.

The treatment aims to establish a structured and organized way of working and living, both at school and at home: children process sensory stimuli more confidently, communicate more consciously, and develop their place in their social environment thanks to improved self-confidence.
Treatment takes place in the practice, at school, or even at home. Parents and teachers are involved.

In adults, the symptoms are slightly different; patients often suffer from mental blocks. For a long time, they often function unobtrusively in their everyday working lives, but at some point the fragile house of cards collapses: paying bills is forgotten, the apartment sinks into disorder, and the daily structure resembles chaos. People with ADHD are often very distracted and disorganized. Simple tasks such as housekeeping, shopping, or cooking are usually major challenges. Occupational therapy supports these people where they need it most: at home. The situation is carefully analyzed and priorities are set together. Even simple measures such as setting up a filing system for administration can be the start of a new daily structure.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOR ASD (AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER)

Autism spectrum disorders are often treated on the basis of perception disorders; these are disorders of the central nervous system in which the processing of various sensory stimuli does not proceed as usual. People with autism spectrum disorders are often overwhelmed by uncontrolled sensory stimuli, which in many cases explains their behavior, stereotypes, and motor abnormalities. They are unable to structure their day and avoid social contact at work and in their private lives; they usually live in isolation.

Occupational therapy teaches practical life skills such as getting dressed, planning a small gathering, or preparing a meal; it increases concentration and promotes cognitive skills such as action planning.

NEUROLOGY

An injury or disease of the central nervous system often means limitations in movement and cognitive abilities for those affected: personal hygiene or preparing a meal, moving around or communicating, for example, must be relearned.

The goal of occupational therapy is to help patients regain as much independence as possible. The therapy is tailored to the individual needs of clients and their families.
We offer consistent and long-term cooperation. Therapy takes place at our practice or, if necessary, at the client's home.

We support patients with stroke, brain tumors, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and traumatic brain injuries.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN GERIATRICS

Older people face challenges every day. Performing simple tasks can be difficult due to declining strength, mobility, and endurance. In addition, the decline in mental capacity or the onset of dementia can place a strain on those affected and their relatives.

We offer training in physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills and help with the selection of health-promoting activities.

We support people with dementia in maintaining their independence as much as possible and in organizing their daily lives in a meaningful way. Together, we discuss and implement strategies.

We assess living spaces and support those affected in adapting their environment and selecting suitable aids: making life at home safe (fall prevention).

Swallowing assessments: Advice and support for swallowing difficulties.

We also accompany, advise, and support relatives in all areas.

HAND THERAPY

After hand surgery, we provide wound care and remove stitches, mobilize scars, and treat any edema. We treat restrictions in mobility and strength resulting from hand injuries with various active and passive measures, including individual splints if necessary.

Our specialized, medically trained hand therapists work with you to professionally train the functions of the hand: they rebuild the abilities lost due to the injury and ensure that you can use the affected hand again soon.

Occupational therapy treats fresh and old scars, mobilizes the affected body parts in cases of fractures, flexor and extensor tendon injuries, dislocations and distortions, nerve injuries, soft tissue injuries, combined injuries, and burns; occupational therapy also treats phantom pain in amputees through desensitization.

SPLINT CONSTRUCTION

We manufacture splints individually for each patient, adapted to their injury and anatomy. We build static splints for positioning after injuries to the fingers, hand, and forearm. They are used for immobilization after fractures or tendon injuries, as well as positioning splints for the night. Dynamic splints are used to stretch hardened and shortened tendons or structures. We customize the splints and control the tension exerted on the tissue. We create an individual program for each patient for the duration of wear of their splint.

We also provide prefabricated splints; these are tried on, tested, and, if necessary, modified and adjusted during therapy.

RHEUMATOLOGY

Degenerated joints with osteoarthritis or arthritis require our special attention. With joint protection instruction, an important part of occupational therapy, the patient learns and trains how to treat the affected body part gently, directly for mindful handling in their personal everyday activities. Thanks to the techniques learned, peak loads are broken.

We relieve pain with cold or heat applications, as well as with ultrasound and laser treatment, which also stimulates self-healing. TENS or iontophoresis treatment helps with acute pain.

PAIN THERAPY

In our practice, we rely on the treatment method developed by Claude Spicher of the Clinique Générale in Fribourg. The method helps to reduce neuropathic pain (hypersensitivity, burning or numbness on the skin).

It involves searching for interrupted electrical pathways in the skin, i.e., small areas of skin with increased or decreased sensitivity. Based on the results, we design an exercise program to promote sensitivity, which can be completed at home.

In cases of numbness, often accompanied by hypersensitivity to touch, we examine the affected area of skin and carry out desensitization. Often, an initial neutralization of the pain can be observed after just one series of treatments.

PSYCHIATRY

People with mental illness often struggle to cope with everyday life. Simple tasks such as shopping, cooking, tidying up, and opening letters pose major challenges or can only be accomplished with great effort; they often lack the energy to engage in meaningful leisure activities. Occupational therapy supports and helps patients; they become active, structured, and organize their own daily lives: they take control of their lives again. Occupational therapy also works in an expression-centered way: with the help of art (e.g., painting or pottery), patients learn to accept their illness and deal with the situation in a more conscious and mindful way.

Diagnoses include depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, adjustment disorders, and trauma.