The OHO Therapy Center is staffed with experts from several disciplines who contribute to a uniquely comprehensive level of care. Each discipline offers a different perspective and specialized skills, described below.

Physical Therapists

A physical therapist evaluates and treats musculoskeletal disorders, neurological dysfunctions and other problems affecting mobility or function to help lessen disability or pain and improve overall function and quality of life. Therapists use special equipment called "modalities" which aid in the healing and recovery process. Electrical stimulation, hot packs, cold packs, infrared and ultrasound are only some of the modalities that may be used during a treatment session with a physical therapist. As part of treatment and the rehabilitation process, a physical therapist will often stretch, strengthen, facilitate muscles, challenge balance, test coordination abilities, teach home exercise programs, and enhance basic mobility skills.

Certified Hand Therapists

All of the Hand Therapists at the Oklahoma Hand Rehabilitation Center are Certified Hand Therapists. This means that they are already licensed as an occupational therapist or physical therapist but, to be Certified Hand Therapists, they also must have a minimum of five years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more in direct practice in hand therapy, and they must pass a comprehensive test in advanced clinical skills and theory. Additionally, they must be re-certified every five years.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists are health professionals whose specialization is designed to help you achieve independence in performing the skills of living following an injury or onset of a chronic illness. Their treatment plan may include home and job site evaluations, as well as training in the use of adaptive or assistive equipment and devices a person may need to perform satisfactorily and safely in the unique activities of his or her life. Additionally, an occupational therapist may work with family members or other caregivers who will be involved in assisting the individual.

Exercise Physiologists

A certified exercise physiologist is a person who has completed at least a bachelor's degree with a major or emphasis in exercise physiology and who has successfully completed the national certification examination. Their expertise is in the relationship between human physiology and different types and levels of exercise, how the body changes in response to training, how to administer exercise tests with continuous monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate and electrocardiographic (EKG) changes in response to exercise, and how to implement fitness and physical performance evaluations, using such components as body composition, flexibility, muscular strength and power, maximal oxygen consumption, and metabolic thresholds. Based on the information obtained from testing, the exercise physiologist prescribes an exercise training program that is tailored to an individual's current and projected physical fitness level.

Certified Athletic Trainers

The certified athletic trainer functions as an important member of the athletic healthcare team. The discipline is expanding and individuals may work in the clinical setting, such as the Oklahoma Human Performance Center, as well as in high school and college sports programs, and professional sports programs. Certification means that the individual has, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree, usually in athletic training, health, physical education or exercise science. In addition, certified athletic trainers have successfully completed the certification examination administered by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification, Inc.

Therapy Assistants

The OHO Therapy Center has a variety of specialized assistants on staff who work under the direction of professional practitioners in their field. All are certified, meaning they have taken the necessary training and testing administered by their professional associations.