What’s the Difference Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy?

When you hear the words physical therapy and occupational therapy, they may seem interchangeable. These two terms are used to describe similar causes and symptoms. Physical and occupational therapy can help you improve your quality of life while maintaining independence. These healthcare professionals provide rehabilitative care to patients recovering from illness or injury. Even though their areas of expertise differ, they frequently collaborate to get the patient's life back on track.

Whether you are looking to seek treatment or simply want to understand the differences between these two types of therapy, here we will explore physical and occupational therapy in detail and the key differences between them.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy, also known as physiotherapy, improves a person's ability to move and function with the help of exercises and a hands-on approach. When you have difficulty walking, sitting, or standing, or if you have pain from an injury, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. Physical therapy is sometimes prescribed to avoid surgery or a sports injury. It is also highly helpful for patients recovering from a stroke or those suffering from issues like arthritis and osteoporosis. This treatment is tailored to your specific needs and is a conservative problem-solving approach. Physiotherapists generally work out of fitness centers, outpatient centers, clinics, offices, hospitals, and home health agencies.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy addresses difficulties with daily 'occupations' such as dressing, eating, brushing one's teeth, and so on. It will aid in improving your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, allowing you to carry out your daily activities with maximum independence. The treatment consists of repeated assessments, including interviews, observations, and other standardized procedures. Whether overcoming learning challenges, working, or even participating in sports, occupation therapy will make you feel better and more confident. Occupational therapists generally work out of clinics, mental health facilities, schools, and home health agencies.

Differences Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

Scope of Work

Both therapies help patients to recover from an illness or injury. Physiotherapists ensure the strength and motion of the affected part are improved, and occupational therapists try to improve the ability to perform daily activities and improve the quality of life. Occupational therapy focuses on fine motor skills, whereas physiotherapy focuses on improving gross motor skills.

Mode of Treatment

Physiotherapy involves exercises, heat/cold treatment, and massage treatments to relieve pain, accelerate the healing process, and strengthen muscles around the injury.

Occupational therapy addresses psychological and social issues, along with physical sickness. Understanding the impact of the injury in daily life, identifying the patient's strengths and determining how to use them to perform everyday tasks, assessing school or workplace to identify ways to make daily life easier, teaching to manage stress better, teaching how to use wheelchairs and walkers. Anything that makes everyday life easier is all part of the treatment.

End Goal

The end goal of physical therapy is to improve strength, mobility, and range of motion. It can also be prescribed to relieve pain or prevent a condition from getting worse or avoid surgeries.

Occupational therapy mainly aims to restore self-care abilities and promote independence and productivity.

How to Choose the Relevant Therapy

How do you decide which therapy you need? It is best to consult a doctor who will gauge your current condition and requirements. They will also help you understand the benefits of the therapy and prepare you for the upcoming treatment.

Choose Physiotherapy if you:

●    Are trying to heal from an injury and need to manage pain.

●    Are recovering from a surgical procedure.

●    Have joint-related ailments like arthritis, osteoporosis, spondylitis, and so on.

●    Are recovering from a heart attack.

●    Are suffering from hand conditions like carpel tunnel syndrome or trigger finger

●    Are recovering from a stroke or have other neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease.

Choose Occupational Therapy if you:

●    Have neurological conditions like cerebral palsy or recovering from a stroke

●    Have developmental conditions like Autism and learning disorders.

●    Are trying to recover from injury or surgery.

●    Are suffering from depression and anxiety.

●    Are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Both the therapists are responsible for educating the patient and the caregiver about the healing process and ways to avoid further injuries. A patient might begin the healing journey with a physical therapist and then later could consult an occupational therapist for a complete recovery.

Consult your caregiver immediately if you think occupational or physical therapy might help improve your or your friend’s life.

You could also contact Premier Home Services for any kind of service to restore and improve your overall health and function. This award-winning dedicated team of caregivers is a leading provider of care management, rehabilitation therapies, and supportive care at home. Contact 903-753-2273 or click here for more details.