Celebrating Occupational Therapy Month: More Than Movement, It’s Meaningful Living

Occupational Therapy Month

What is Occupational Therapy?

In the world of healthcare, an "occupation" isn't just your paycheck or your 9-to-5. It refers to any activity that occupies your time and brings meaning to your life. This includes everything from the basics of getting dressed and cooking a meal to the complexities of playing an instrument, gardening, or returning to work after an injury.

At its core, occupational therapy focuses on helping people build, restore, or maintain the skills needed for independence and quality of life. It looks beyond symptoms and addresses how a person functions in their real, everyday environment.

Why Occupational Therapy is Not Physical Therapy

While occupational therapy and physical therapy often work closely together and share the common goal of helping patients feel better, they are not the same. Physical therapy primarily focuses on improving movement, strength, mobility, and pain relief. It helps patients restore physical function so their bodies can move more efficiently. Occupational therapy, on the other hand, focuses on how those movements translate into daily life.

It is not just about whether you can move, but whether you can:

• Button your shirt

• Cook a meal safely

• Return to work tasks

• Care for your family

• Engage in meaningful activities

Occupational therapists look at the whole picture, combining physical ability with cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors to help patients regain independence.

Rather than being interchangeable, OT and PT are complementary, each playing a unique and essential role in the recovery process.

Why Occupational Therapy Matters

Occupational therapy is important because it bridges the gap between recovery and real life. After an injury, surgery, or diagnosis, many patients find that even simple daily tasks become challenging.

Occupational therapy helps patients:

• Regain independence

• Improve fine motor skills and coordination

• Adapt to physical or cognitive changes

• Build confidence in daily routines

• Return to work, hobbies, and meaningful activities

Whether someone is recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or navigating a neurological diagnosis, occupational therapy provides practical, personalized solutions that make a real difference in everyday life.

Meet Our Occupational Therapy Team

At Balanced Physical Therapy and Wellness, our occupational therapy team is made up of dedicated, highly skilled professionals who are passionate about helping patients live more independently and confidently.

Each therapist brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and specialties, but they all share a commitment to providing thoughtful, patient centered care. Their ability to connect with patients, understand individual goals, and create personalized treatment plans is what makes our team truly exceptional.

We are proud to celebrate them this Occupational Therapy Month and recognize the impact they make in the lives of our patients every single day.

Stacey Esch, Founder, OT, CHT, CLT

Our founder is an Occupational Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist, and Certified Lymphedema Therapist whose dedication to patient centered care laid the foundation for Balanced. Her vision continues to inspire our team and the meaningful work we do each day.

Maggie Tappitake, OTR\L, MSOT, NBCOT

Maggie earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in New York. As a professional Muay Thai fighter, she leads Muay Thai rehabilitation, using real fight movement patterns to improve strength, mobility, coordination, and injury resilience.

Julianna Nacion, OT

Julianna is a New Mexico native and Occupational Therapist who graduated from the University of New Mexico. With specialized training in pelvic floor rehabilitation, she focuses on pelvic health across the lifespan, delivering compassionate, evidence based care that empowers patients to feel more connected and confident in their bodies.

Felicia Herrera, OT

She began her career as a Rehab Technician and gained valuable experience working alongside Certified Hand Therapists in both VA and orthopedic settings. Her background spans inpatient rehab, skilled nursing, and outpatient care, allowing her to provide a comprehensive approach to treatment.

Carley Hernandez, OT, CLT

A graduate of the University of New Mexico, Carley has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist for five years and is passionate about improving her patients’ quality of life. She is also a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient centered care.

Savannah Miranda, OT, CLT

Savannah is an Occupational Therapist and Co Owner of our Lymphedema Neurological Rehabilitation Center, where she specializes in supporting patients with neurological and orthopedic conditions. She is also a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and is passionate about helping patients return to the activities they love with confidence.

Jackie Ness, COTA, CMLDT

With nearly 20 years of experience as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Jackie brings a wealth of knowledge from home health and travel settings. She is dedicated to a holistic approach to care and has advanced her skills with certifications in Manual Lymphatic Drainage and reflexology.

Celebrating the Impact of Occupational Therapy

This Occupational Therapy Month, we are proud to celebrate the work of our incredible team and the meaningful impact they make in our patients’ lives every day. Whether it is helping someone regain independence, return to work, or simply feel more confident in their daily routine, occupational therapy plays a vital role in helping people live life to the fullest.