California BPI Therapists

Kathy Anderson, MOT, OTR


Response to UBPN questionnaire:
NOTE: Only questions answered are included here

Are you a physical or occupational therapist, and does your center offer physical and/or occupational therapy for children and adults with brachial plexus injuries?

I am an OT. We offer OT, PT and Speech therapy.
Indicate the number of years of experience in treating brachial plexus injured (bpi) patients.

Twelve years experience in pediatrics. I first treated BPI babies in the NICU, and then later with older children.
Identify what bpi patients you have experiece in treating (obstetrical brachial plexus, trauma, adult and/or pediatric.

All of my experience has been with obstetrical BP and pediatrics.
How many bpi patients have you treated?

Over the years approximately 25 to 30.
Do you follow your patients post surgically?

I have only followed 6-7 kids post surgically.
Do you or your staff have a working relationship with physician(s) who are brachial plexus injury specialists?.

Not locally. I consult with them via phone or e-mail.
What therapy techniques, methods and interventions do you use, including, but not limited to, aquatic therapy, hippotherapy, kinesiotaping and splinting.

I have experience with splinting, some kinesiotaping. I am NDT certified. We have physical therapists who do aquatic therapy and another OT who does MFR techniques.
Are you familiar with NMES/TES stimulation or other types of stimulation? If yes, what type(s) of stimulation do you use?.

I have done small amounts of NMES.
List any specialized education or training and/or seminars or clinics you have attended in treating bpi individuals.

Lots of internet study, including treatment and post surgical treatment protocols from the BPI clinic at the Texas Medical Center. I attended the National BPI Conference in 2000.
Have you authored or co-authored any articles regarding brachial plexus injuries or participated in any research studies?

No, I have not.
Indicate any other facts that you feel would help families and individuals understand your practice

Since my time working with babies in the NICU, I have pursued self study and a special interest with the diagnoses. There are not many specialized clinics re BPI injuries. I try to educate the pediatricians about the latest findings and surgeries related to BP injuries.
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