Outpatient Rehabilitation in Western New York
Outpatient Rehabilitation
What makes Buffalo Occupational Therapy Different?
Ages
Buffalo Occupational therapy treats all conditions for 18 years and older
18 years or younger are accepted as patients for movement-related concerns from neurological trauma [ pediatric neurological rehabilitation, juvenile neurological rehabilitation]
Outpatient rehabilitation through Buffalo Occupational Therapy is a complete head to toe rehabilitation approach for neurological conditions. We not only address your physical needs through stretching, exercises, guided activity, manual therapy, and modalities, but we also address psychological, social, environmental, and cognitive remedial and maintenance needs. We begin by addressing your physical and neurological function and end with ensuring you can apply these performance skills to your daily life through functional use during any activity that is important to you.
Who do we help and what problems do we help solve?
Buffalo Occupational Therapy uses our physical-based functional neurocentric program to help address a variety of diagnoses and solve many functional performance deficits. Whether you are recovering from a joint replacement surgery while suffering from muscular/neuromuscular underlying conditions and need your range of motion to return so you can go back to work or you have just had a stroke and must now relearn how to walk and perform essential activities of independence, our outpatient rehabilitation program is a one-stop solution to your physical and functional needs.
We Offer Specialized Services for Rehabilitation
Just as there are specialized doctors of medicine, there are outpatient therapists who focus their research, attention, study, and practice on specific methods and approaches to rehabilitation. Buffalo Occupational Therapy is set apart in their comprehensive approach to restoring function which allows us to great outcomes when addressing specific areas. We use our hybrid method, neurocentric vantage point, and function-based approach to help you get the results you want out of your outpatient rehabilitation experience!
Why Choose Buffalo Occupational Therapy?
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Buffalo Occupational Therapy works with you one-on-one to create a treatment plan that will meet your needs, accomplish your desired outcomes, and restore your hope in recovery. Our practitioners are committed to maintaining current competencies, meeting monthly continuing education goals, and being well-versed in the latest evidence-based, research-driven treatment models in order to offer you the best treatment possible.
Meet the Therapists–
Current Credentials and Affiliations
- Registered and NYS Licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L)
- Registered and Licensed as an OT in Texas and California
- CARES Dementia Specialist (C.D.S.)
- Certified Kinesiology Taping Specialist (CKTS)
- Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
- NBCOT Certification – Older Adult Designation (2019)
- New York Occupational Therapy Association Member and Advocate (2019)
- American Occupational Therapy Association Member and Advocate since 2016
- Brain Injury Association of America (2021)
BIO
Michelle Eliason established Aging with Purpose LLC in 2016 as a consulting company promoting livable environments, health and wellness through aging, and aging in place. With her 10+ years of experience in the elder care industry along with her experience as a Director of Rehab in skilled nursing, Michelle saw a need in the community and decided to be a solution. Michelle’s research has focused on non-medicinal neurological rehabilitation for progressive neuromuscular and neurolgical disorders since 2016 which led her to transition to clinical services and begin Buffalo Occupational Therapy where she remains the lead evaluating therapist and rehabilitation director of all incoming patients with progressive neurological conditions. Michelle is also a clinical instructor, mentor to new OT practitioners, professor in an occupational therapy program, Lead Occupational Therapist for the National Brain Injury Institute, and mentor for occupational therapy entrepreneurs internationally.
When Michelle is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Jordan, three children, and dog, Maxwell. She also enjoys taking quiet walks outside.
For more information regarding the owner and special interests of the owner, please contact 716-235-3013
Michelle C. Eliason, MSOT, OTR/L, CKTS, C.D.S.
Owner, Clinical Rehabilitation Director
Research interests: Neurocommunication and neuromuscular re-education, Alzheimer’s and other related dementias (ADRD), Maintenance of function in Progressive Neurological and neuromuscular conditions
Hannah DiFrancesco, COTA/L, NASM-CES
Lead Treating Practitioner
Research interests: Kinesiology, Correcting muscle imbalance, Productive Aging
Current Credentials and Affiliations
- Registered and NYS Licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L)
- NBCOT Certification (2019)
- New York Occupational Therapy Association Member and Advocate (2019)
- American Occupational Therapy Association Member and Advocate (2018)
- Corrective Exercise Specialist (NASM-CES) (2021)
BIO
Hannah is the lead treating practitioner at Buffalo OT as well as our clinical fieldwork coordinator. She is certified and licensed as an occupational therapy assistant and also holds a certification in corrective exercise. She is passionate about high quality and holistic neurological therapy that makes a lasting difference in the life of our patients and their loved ones. Most evenings you could find Hannah elbows deep in the constant process of evidence-based research and clinical problem solving. Her top interests as an OT include the treatment of cognition, balance deficits, and chronic pain.
Adrianna Brown, MS, OTR/L
Evaluating Therapist
Research interests: Yoga applied to progressive neurodegenerative and degenerative conditions
Current Credentials and Affiliations
-
Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L)
-
200 Hour Yoga Certification through YogaFit
- YogaFit for Wellness 100-Hour Teacher Training
-
Functional Training Certification through American Council of Exercises
BIO
Adrianna graduated from D’Youville College in 2020. Following graduation, she worked in SNF/subacute rehabilitation for approximately one year. During her time in SNF, she learned the value Occupational Therapy has in addressing progressive neurological conditions, acquired neurological conditions, chronic pain, and muscle injury. Adrianna had the goal to transition to outpatient occupational therapy in hopes to address patients’ needs before requiring higher level of care.
Adrianna has obtained her 200 Hour Yoga Certification and is working on a 100 Hour Wellness track. This speciality training addresses the application of yoga for people with neurological conditions, heart conditions, chronic pain, and diabetes. She is also working on become a Stretch and Flexibility Coach.
Adrianna has a special interested in combining her yoga background with her occupational therapy background. She is continuing to research the various uses of yoga interventions for the diagnosis occupational therapy practitioners work with on a daily basis.
Zachary Reiner
Administative and Financial Executive
Specialist interests: Medical Billing, Outcomes Analysis, Statistical Analysis
BIO
Zachary graduated from the University at Buffalo in 2020 with a B.A. in Economics and a B.A.in Statistics. He has a special interest in outcomes analysis and hopes to go on to study Actuarial Science.
Zachary was hired for administration and financial management of Buffalo Occupational Therapy locations including medical billing processing, therapeutic outcomes analysis, and his unique role in the research conducted by BOT in neurodegenerative and neurological-based rehabilitation.
When Zachary is not working, he enjoys fitness, bowling, and playing a variety of board games.
Do we accept Referrals?
Buffalo Occupational Therapy accepts self-referrals through
direct access as well as referrals and prescriptions for
occupational therapy services from medical providers,
specialists, and Chiropractors. Because we know how
important it is to get started in occupational therapy right
away, we work with our patients to obtain the necessary
signatures and referrals for maximum insurance coverage.
Referring to Buffalo Occupational Therapy is simple!