Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

Introduction

Physical therapy and Occupational therapy are the two forms of rehabilitative services. Rehabilitative treatment aims to improve or avoid the deterioration of one's condition or quality of life due to injury, surgery, or disease.

While occupational therapy and physical therapy are fairly similar areas, there are a few important characteristics between the two rehabilitative sciences. Both therapies assist people in regaining mobility and recovering from acute and chronic pain problems and injuries. Still, occupational therapists and physical therapists get different training and have distinct areas of competence.

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy aims to assist people in participating in their desired professions, which may include work, education, self-care, activities of daily living (ADLs) such as cooking, dressing, and driving, and personal interests and hobbies.Occupational therapy can help people of all ages develop or recover cognitive and physical skills.

Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

The fundamental goal of an occupational therapist is to restore an individual's functioning to its maximum capability, and each person who works with an occupational therapist has their own set of goals.

The occupational therapist's job is to determine those goals, find out what's preventing the patient from reaching them, set realistic objectives, and create a treatment plan to assist in achieving the goals.

Conditions Treated With Occupational Therapy

The conditions an occupational therapist treats vary depending on the situation. For example, occupational therapy at a school may appear very different from occupational therapy in the workplace (such as reviewing workstations to prevent injury) or outpatient occupational therapy work with older persons with various medical issues.

Occupational therapists can assist people with a range of issues, including:

  • Arthritis
  • Brain Injuries
  • Burns
  • Cancer
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Chronic Pain
  • Cognitive Impairment
  • Developmental Delays
  • Hand Injuries
  • Learning Disorders
  • Mental Health Difficulties and Disorders
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Sensory Processing Disorders
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Sports Injuries
  • Work Injuries

Benefits of Occupational Therapy

  • The most essential benefit of occupational therapy is that patients may carry out their responsibilities at home and at work and participate in the activities they like.
  • Occupational therapy can help people achieve greater independence, regardless of their age.
  • Enhanced independence can show improved self-care and self-reliance skills, such as going to the toilet and combing one's hair, increasing endurance and strength, or enhancing cognitive function in order to drive safely or pay bills.

Who Performs Occupational Therapy?

To become a professional occupational therapist, you must:

  • Earn a Master's or Doctoral degree in occupational therapy by completing an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant program.
  • Complete the fieldwork requirements.
  • Apply for and pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.
  • Obtain a license in the state or jurisdiction in which they intend to practice.
  • They keep their license by taking continuing education courses.
  • These certificates include:
    • Certified Hand Therapist (CHT).
    • Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT).
    • Specialist Certification in Environmental Modification (SCEM).
    • Board certification in gerontology, paediatrics, mental health, physical rehabilitation, or a related field.

What Happens During Occupational Therapy?

Each occupational therapy appointment is unique, depending on the location and the patient's requirements and goals. Here is an overview of what happened during the appointment.

  • The patient arrived at the clinic.
  • The patient may be placed on a heat modality (such as a hot pack, dry heat therapy machine, or paraffin wax bath) to warm the affected area.
  • The therapist does manual therapy, which involves manipulating the patient's joints and soft tissues with their hands.
    Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy
  • The patient performs stretches or exercises using weights, tools, and other equipment while being guided by the therapist.
  • The therapist follows the defined treatment plan, reassessing and revising it as necessary.

Occupational therapists extensively assess and evaluate each patient at their initial meeting to establish a treatment plan tailored to the individual. They assess the patient's former level of function, medical history, social history, and current deficit or limits.

After the initial evaluation, occupational therapists provide tests to identify the amount of impairment and set goals based on the results of the testing as well as the requirements and desires of the patient and family.

Where Can You Receive Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapists practice in a number of settings, including:

  • Outpatient Clinics
  • Inpatient facilities (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes)
  • Mental Health Facilities
  • Schools
  • Home Health Organizations.

What Is Physical Therapy?

While occupational and physical therapy may occasionally overlap, physical therapy is more focused on injury prevention, healing, and rehabilitation.

Physical therapy is a type of treatment that uses exercise, methods, and manual therapy to help patients improve their strength, range of motion, stamina, balance, and coordination.

Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

The fundamental purpose of a physical therapist is to improve a person's quality of life, whether by reducing discomfort or increasing their capacity to participate in a physical activity that they desire or need to do.

Conditions Treated With Physical Therapy

Physical therapists frequently treat patients with a range of medical illnesses or diagnoses, including the following conditions:

  • Back and Neck Pain
  • Brain Injuries
  • Burns
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Gout
  • Joint Injuries or Replacements
  • Muscle Injuries
  • Neurological Diseases, including stroke, Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Pelvic Floor Concerns
  • Pregnancy
  • Respiratory Diseases
  • Sports-Related Injuries
  • Tendon Injuries
  • Tumor
  • Enhanced Recovery after Surgery

Benefits of Physical Therapy

  • Similar to occupational therapy, one key advantage of physical therapy is the capacity to increase a person's function-specifically, their physical function.
  • Physical therapy can relieve pain and improve function without requiring medication or surgery.
  • It teaches independent management of injuries and can improve awareness of body mechanics and ergonomics to decrease the risk of injury in the future.
  • Physical therapy can also help with balance, fall prevention, strength, and mobility.

Who Performs Physical Therapy?

To become a certified and practising physical therapist, you must:

  • Earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy or DPT degree by completing a physical therapy program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
  • Obtain a license in the state or jurisdiction in which they intend to practice.
  • They keep their license by taking continuing education courses.
  • Following education and license, physical therapists can pursue board certification as clinical specialists through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
  • These certifications include:
    • Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS)
    • Neurology Clinical Specialist (NCS)
    • Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS)
    • Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
    • Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS)
    • Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist (CCS)
    • Women's Health Specialist (WCS)
    • Electrophysiologic Clinical Specialist (ECS)
    • Wound Management Specialist
    • Oncology Specialist

The annual continuing education requirements for maintaining a physical therapist license vary by state.

What Happens During Physical Therapy?

Each physical therapy appointment is unique based on the location and the patient's needs and goals. Here is a broad overview of a typical outpatient appointment, which normally lasts around 60 minutes, below.

  • The patient arrived at the clinic.
  • The patient begins with some warm-up exercises, which might involve a heat or cold pack, depending on their condition, or light exercise (such as riding a stationary bike or treadmill).
  • The therapist follows up with the patient to see how they are feeling since their last visit.
  • The therapist performs some manual treatment and leads the patient through exercises (whether they wish to review or learn new ones).
  • The therapist uses ice and other modalities, such as electrical stimulation, as necessary.
  • The therapist reevaluates the patient on a regular basis, usually every 30 days.

The Very First Session Therapy Session

  • Similar to occupational therapy, the initial session comprises a thorough examination of the patient's range of motion, strength, endurance, balance, posture, gait, present functional level, and even the living environment.
  • Physical therapists ask questions about the patient's ailment or injury.
  • Perform any additional assessments that they believe are essential for the specific circumstance.
  • Educate the patient about their injury and the goal of the treatment.
  • Give some treatment.
  • Create a home exercise routine.
  • The treatment is tailored specifically to the patient based on areas of deficiency in range of motion and strength. Factors such as time since an injury or surgery and a patient's previous level of function influence the frequency and duration of physical therapy treatments.

    Where Can You Receive Physical Therapy?

    Physical therapists operate in various settings, including:

    • Outpatient Clinics
    • Offices
    • Inpatient facilities like Hospitals and Nursing Homes
    • Home Health Agencies
    • Schools
    • Fitness Centers

    Similarities Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

    There is some similarity in the conditions that occupational and physical therapists treat.

    • Both require hands-on care and overlap considerably in their treatment programs and protocols. In reality, occupational and physical therapists may co-treat patients.
    • Both therapies focus on rehabilitation.
    • Both therapists require considerable knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and biomechanics.

    Comparison Chart

    BasisOccupational TherapyPhysical Therapy
    FocusOccupational therapy focuses on daily living, mental health, and work-related activities.Physical Therapy focuses on movement, mobility, strength, and rehabilitation.
    GoalImprove functional independence.Restore physical function and mobility.
    TechniquesAdaptive strategies and environmental modifications.Exercise, manual therapy, and modalities.
    Patient PopulationWide range including senior citizens, children, and adults.Primarily adults and senior citizens with physical conditions.
    Education RequirementMaster's degree is entry-level; some may hold doctorates.Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.

    Conclusion

    Occupational therapy and physical therapy are two independent but complementary disciplines in the field of rehabilitation. Occupational therapy aims to improve a person's capacity to do daily activities and participate in meaningful life roles by addressing physical, cognitive, and emotional components. In contrast, physical therapy focuses on physical impairments, attempting to restore mobility, strength, and function. Occupational therapists frequently adjust settings and tasks, whereas physical therapists focus on exercises and manual procedures to improve physical function.

    Both occupations require specialised education and training, with occupational therapists holding at least a master's degree and physical therapists earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Despite their differences, these professions frequently combine to provide comprehensive treatment, particularly in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Finally, their common purpose is to help people live satisfying lives and reach their full potential, whether through greater physical ability or more engagement in daily activities.