Step & Spine Physical Therapy adds occupational therapist to its Bend team

The therapy team at Step & Spine Physical Therapy recently welcomed occupational therapist (OT) Charlotte Watership, OTR/L, GCFP, to its new clinic located at the Shevlin Health & Wellness Center in Bend, according to Step & Spine co-founder and lead therapist Barrett Ford.

An occupational therapist for 35 years and a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner for 25 years, Watership has worked within a variety of clinical settings in Bend, Washington and Colorado. She is an expert in treating clients experiencing a variety of neurological conditions including nerve pain, stroke, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, Gullian-Barre syndrome, and a variety of movement difficulties.

In addition, Watership has worked extensively with post-concussion patients throughout her career, providing therapy and education on post-concussion symptoms – how they can be misunderstood and misinterpreted.

“Our entire team is thrilled to welcome an occupational therapist to our staff, especially one of Charlotte’s caliber,” Ford said. “As an OT, she brings a unique skillset to our clinic, one that both complements and enhances the results-based services our physical therapists are already known for.”

While physical therapy and occupational therapy can be quite similar, the professions’ focus and treatment may be very different. Physical therapists and occupational therapists are both able to treat a patient’s impairment, focusing on mobility, alignment and pain reduction – just from different viewpoints.

“When you talk about differences, there’s plenty of overlap,” Ford said. “Charlotte has treated a number of people experiencing difficult neurological conditions, while our physical therapists have always treated impairments with an eye toward everyday functionality.”

Watership said she became intrigued with the possibility of joining the Step & Spine Physical Therapy team when she learned of Ford’s interest in post-concussion treatment.

“[Ford] was enthusiastic and also realized the greater need for the treatment for those who are post-concussion,” Watership said. “I was also drawn to how he was not only a leader at Step & Spine, but also a member of the team.”