While Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) have a lot of similarities, there are a few key differences between the professions. The primary difference between the two is that PT’s focus is on restoring movement and reducing pain, while OT’s focus is on restoring the patient’s ability to perform their daily tasks independently.
Both OT and PT are wonderful and effective professions, but it’s important to recognize the differences when choosing the proper healthcare path for you.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OT AND PT?
Occupational therapists help people perform their activities of daily living — at home and at work. OT can address problems with fine motor skills, which are small movements made with your upper body. An occupational therapist may help a person recovering from a stroke to relearn tasks like feeding and dressing. They could also work with a patient who has some form of cognitive impairment to help them be able to complete their daily responsibilities and help them gain back the ability to care for themselves.
Physical therapists focus on enhancing a patient’s strength and normal range of motion. This is done to help patients recover from accidents, injuries, or surgical procedures and prevent further injury. For example, a physical therapist would work with a person who has had knee surgery to regain total range of motion and strength in that knee.
So, when it comes to OT vs. PT, if a patient is needing help carrying out their daily tasks, they should see an occupational therapist. If a patient is needing help recovering from an injury or a surgical procedure, they should see a physical therapist.
OT AND PT : THE DIFFERENCES IN TREATMENT
Occupational therapy is a lot broader when it comes to how they help their patients, as the styles of treatment for the varying patients are far-ranging. Typically, what the occupational therapists choose to do with the patients is centered on improving everyday abilities and enhancing hand-eye coordination, coping with difficult social situations, or completing day-to-day necessities such as cooking, showering, or writing, to name a few. OT has unique plans catered to the specific daily needs of their patients.
Physical therapy typically utilizes techniques such as using a treadmill, using resistance bands, lifting weights, or body weight exercises to build strength and mobility. These types are therapies are typically best suited for those recovering from physical injuries or senior citizens looking to improve their overall health, strength, and quality of life.
WHAT ARE THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN OT AND PT?
Occupational therapy and physical therapy are similar in many ways. They both strive to achieve the following :
- Advanced functioning : Whether a patient works with an occupational therapist or physical therapist, the goal is to help the patient complete their necessary tasks — from day-to-day life to sports — more effectively and safely.
- Hands-on treatment : Each OT and PT work carefully with their patients, helping them to understand and perform the movements and exercises that are necessary to attain recovery.
OT’s and PT’s both create custom-designed treatment plans for each individual patient to help them achieve their specific goals.
In some situations, a patient will benefit from receiving both occupational and physical therapy. For example, someone who suffered a severe injury to their arm may work with a physical therapist immediately following their corrective surgery to regain as much strength and normal range of motion as possible. Following this, if the patient has any long-term impairment from the injury/surgery, they may then work with an occupational therapist to figure out the most effective ways to carry out their day-by-day responsibilities despite their impairment.
WHERE DOES CHIROPRACTIC FIT IN?
Chiropractic works incredibly well alongside occupational and physical therapy. Chiropractic adjustments help to ensure that all the joints in the body are moving correctly and not limiting function. This can contribute to improvement in muscle tone, range of motion, and overall pain. Chiropractic can also focus on other therapies such as Electrical Stimulation, Laser Therapy, and Decompression Therapy to further assist with muscle healing, decreasing of inflammation, and reduction of pain that may be limiting regular motion. This, combined with targeted occupational therapies and physical therapies, shows great success in patient improvement, satisfaction, and quality of life.
At Zenith Injury Relief & Wellness Clinic, we give you the best care possible to overcome your discomfort and pain and help you to live your life fullest.
Contact: (972) 210-0033 to book your appointment.