LB-OT Private Occupational Therapy

LB-OT Private Occupational Therapy At LB-OT, we treat you like family. 🀝 Our dedicated OT practice focuses on making your daily life more fulfilling through professional, personalised care.

Start your journey today!
πŸ“² 07442 345050
πŸ“© leeanne.blaylock@lb-ot.co.uk

23/03/2026

Why Bespoke Neuro Splinting is the Gold Standard for Hand Function.

In the world of Occupational Therapy (OT), we often talk about "meaningful occupation", the activities that give life purpose. But for many of my clients living with neurological conditions, those meaningful tasks are sidelined by a hand that won't cooperate. Whether it’s due to a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or Multiple Sclerosis, neurological impairment often leads to spasticity, contractures, or muscle weakness.
This is where my specialisation in bespoke neuro splinting comes in. It’s not just about plastic and Velcro; it’s about high-stakes geometry and neuroplasticity.
The Problem with "Off-the-Shelf"
Many people think a brace is a brace. However, neurological hands are dynamic, they change based on stress, position, and effort.
A generic, "one-size-fits-all" splint often:
πŸ‘ Fails to address specific tone: It might be too weak to hold a high-tone wrist, causing the skin to rub.
πŸ‘ Promotes "learned non-use": If it’s uncomfortable, the patient won't wear it, and the brain forgets how to use that limb.
πŸ‘ Causes secondary injury: Improper alignment can lead to joint subluxation or skin breakdown.

When I create a custom neuro splint, I am acting as both a clinician and a craftsman. The process is highly individualised, focusing on three core pillars:
1. Managing Spasticity and Tone
Neurological injury often causes the "flexor synergy", the hand wants to curl into a tight fist. A bespoke splint provides prolonged low-load stretching. By maintaining the muscle at a specific length, we can actually inhibit the overactive stretch reflex, reducing pain and preventing permanent shortening of the tissue.
2. Functional Positioning
A splint shouldn't just be a "resting" device. Many of the bespoke orthotics I design are functional splints. They might stabilise the thumb in "opposition" so a client can finally grasp a cup, or support the wrist so the fingers can better utilise their remaining strength.
3. Protecting Joint Integrity
When muscles are imbalanced, joints are at risk. Custom molding allows me to distribute pressure evenly across the palm and forearm, ensuring the delicate arches of the hand are supported rather than flattened.

The hand is the brain’s primary tool for interacting with the world. By providing the correct support through a bespoke splint, we send clearer sensory feedback to the brain. This "calming" of the nervous system often opens a window of opportunity for therapy, making it easier to engage in the repetitive, task-specific training required to rewire neural pathways.

My OT Perspective: A splint is never the end goal; it is the facilitator. It’s the bridge between a hand that is stuck and a hand that can participate.

Are you curious about how a custom splint might fit into your specific rehab journey?
Get in touch for a free consultation πŸ“ž 07442 345050
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22/03/2026

Occupational Therapy is all about the "How." If a task feels impossible, we don’t give up, we just change the game.

Check out these clever ways to make daily life smoother and safer!
β€‹βœ¨ The Bathroom Refresh 🚿
​Soap-on-a-String: Say goodbye to the "slippery soap" struggle! Pop a bar into a mesh bag or even a clean pair of stockings tied to your grab bar. No drops, no bending, no stress.

​Reach More, Strain Less: Long-handled sponges aren't just for backs, they are the ultimate tool for washing feet without the risk of a slip.

​The Tube Key: Don't let a toothpaste tube win. A simple sliding clip or winding key turns a painful squeeze into a breeze for tired hands.

β€‹βœ¨ Around the House & Tech 🏠
​Steady Dining: If tremors make meals a mission, weighted utensils are a secret weapon. The added weight helps "hush" the shakes so you can focus on your food.

​Voice Power: Smart homes aren't just for gadgets! Using voice commands for lights and heat saves your energy for the things that actually matter.

​The Universal Cuff: Grip issues? No problem. This "magic strap" lets you hold pens or brushes without needing any finger strength at all.

​The OT Rule: If it doesn't work for you, change the tool, not the goal! 🌟

Question: Which of these "hacks" would make your morning routine easier?
Let us know in the comments! πŸ‘‡
​
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🌟 What a Week! A Glimpse into the Life of an OT 🌟As the weekend approaches, I’m reflecting on a truly rewarding (and bus...
20/03/2026

🌟 What a Week! A Glimpse into the Life of an OT 🌟
As the weekend approaches, I’m reflecting on a truly rewarding (and busy!) week.
Being an Occupational Therapy practitioner means wearing many hats, and this week was no exception!
Here is what my week looked like:
✨Monday & Friday Home-Based Stroke Support & Neuro Rehab 🏠🧠
Started and ended the week exactly where the magic happens, at home with my clients. I’ve been working closely with individuals on their stroke recovery journeys, focusing on neuro-rehab, regaining daily living skills, and building the confidence to stay independent at home. There is nothing quite like seeing progress in a client's own environment!
✨Tuesday & Wednesday School-Based Support πŸ«πŸŽ’
Mid-week was all about the kiddos! I spent two days in school supporting students with various needs. We focused on sensory integration, fine motor skills, and identifying the right classroom equipment to help every child thrive and reach their full potential.
✨ Thursday Community & Home Visits πŸš—βœ¨
Another day on the road, providing home-based assessments and interventions. Whether it’s falls prevention or adjusting a rehab plan, every visit is a step toward a better quality of life for my clients.

Between the clinical sessions, I’ve been busy behind the scenes managing new referrals, writing up reports, and getting quotes ready for essential equipment. It’s a lot of juggling, but seeing my clients smash their goals makes it all worth it!

Now, it’s time to recharge. How was your week? I’d love to hear your highlights in the comments! πŸ‘‡

If you or a loved one needs support with stroke recovery, neuro-rehab, or school-based OT, please feel free to reach out via DM!
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🧩 Progress & Partnerships: A day in the Life at Leeanne’s OTIt’s been an inspiring day of collaboration! I’ve had the pl...
18/03/2026

🧩 Progress & Partnerships: A day in the Life at Leeanne’s OT
It’s been an inspiring day of collaboration! I’ve had the pleasure of supporting the wonderful parents at First Steps Together Group, focusing on how we can use sensory insights to make daily life a little smoother for their little ones.
Here’s a peek into what I’ve been up to lately:
πŸ’ͺ Sensory Profiling: Working closely with families to decode their children’s unique sensory needs. Knowledge is power, and understanding these profiles is the first step to thriving!
πŸ’ͺ Creating Calm in Classrooms: I’ve been chatting with teachers about optimising sensory rooms and the magic of rocking chairs to help students find their "just right" state for learning.

Whether it’s a big equipment change or a simple visual schedule, seeing these shifts empower a child is the best part of my job.

✨ Leeanne’s Quick Thought:
Regulation isn't just about "sitting still", it's about feeling safe and predictable in your environment.

When we get the sensory environment right, the rest often follows!


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17/03/2026
Get in touch for a free consultation to discuss how I can support you and your upper body function.πŸ“ž07442 345050
16/03/2026

Get in touch for a free consultation to discuss how I can support you and your upper body function.
πŸ“ž07442 345050

Life is full of big goals and small daily wins. Whether it’s a child working on their fine motor skills through play or ...
12/03/2026

Life is full of big goals and small daily wins.
Whether it’s a child working on their fine motor skills through play or an adult looking to regain independence in their daily routine, I’m here to help.

​I’m excited to share that I am now offering private Occupational Therapy sessions for both children and adults!
My goal is to provide personalised, compassionate care that fits your unique needs.

β€‹πŸ“© Send me a DM or comment below if you’d like to chat about how we can work together!"

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11/03/2026

I’m thrilled to announce that I've been teaming up with First Steps Together to transform how their students learn.

​We are currently focusing on funding professional sensory assessments for students. These evaluations are the "missing link", they help identify exactly what a child with Autism or ADHD needs to feel grounded, focused, and ready to succeed.
​Every child deserves a learning environment that works with them, not against them. By understanding their unique sensory profiles, we can build classrooms where they truly belong.

​Proud to support this game-changing initiative! 🧩πŸ’ͺ

​
First Steps Together Group
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Big thanks to Barbara Shead, Karen Simpson, Darren Leggfor all of your support! Congrats for being top fans on a streak ...
11/03/2026

Big thanks to Barbara Shead, Karen Simpson, Darren Legg

for all of your support! Congrats for being top fans on a streak πŸ”₯!

10/03/2026

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Oldham Road
Ashton-Under-Lyne

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