The limp, motionless form of my three-month-old daughter disappeared into the depths of the MRI machine. Terms like “genetic disorder” and “brain abnormality” floated through my mind as the inexorable noise of the MRI machine filled the room. It all felt like a distorted dream. How did I end up here?
When Rivky was born, none of us noticed anything worrisome. But as the weeks passed, there was a slight sense of unease. Rivky would scream when placed on her stomach, and she seemed to have a hard time lifting her head. Her movements looked slower and less energetic than those of her siblings. Over summer vacation there was little change, and the anxiety grew acute. When I described what was happening to the pediatrician over the phone, he was baffled and recommended some testing at a local hospital.
Rivky was poked, prodded, and examined by what seemed like the entire medical establishment. Subjected to endless blood tests, examined for illnesses I had never heard of, she was finally recommended for a brain scan. It was a draining, three-day process that left us terrified.
And then the hospital physical therapist bustled into the room.
“It looks like Rivky needs physical therapy,” she announced. “This baby has weak muscle tone. Weekly sessions with a PT specializing in infant development should help.”
She was right. The brain scans were normal. There were no genetic disorders. Within a year of beginning physical therapy, Rivky met all her milestones. We endured so much anguish and uncertainty when the issue was relatively simple.
According to Rochel Feinstein PT, DPT, PCS, and Gitty Zelczer M.S., OTR/L, the duo behind OPTimal Care Therapy Center in Lakewood, New Jersey, my story is not as unique as I’d thought it was.
“How often does this happen?” I ask them curiously. “I know our case was atypical, but how often do you encounter basic misdiagnoses, where kids really have an OT or PT issue?”
“Every single day,” comes the swift response.
Every. Single. Day?
Therapy Explained
In the simplest sense, a physical therapist works to improve a person’s ability to move his/her body, while an occupational therapist focuses on improving a person’s ability to do daily activities. But there’s definitely an overlap. Research shows that OT and PT services are often complementary. The physical therapist works on strengthening the musculoskeletal system in various ways, and the occupational therapist focuses on teaching the strengthened patient to implement this into daily activities. Together they can create a pathway to success.
Think of it this way: Sensory pathways travel upward — you touch something soft, and the message gets sent to your brain, so you feel the texture. Motor pathways travel downward — your brain tells your arms to catch a ball. Both pathways need to work together to ensure optimal success.
