Occupational Therapy And Physical Therapy: What’s The Differ

Many people seek the help of therapists in order to enjoy their lives to the fullest while still managing acute and chronic pain. Given the rise in popularity of both physical therapy and occupational therapy, it’s a good time to explain the differences between the two.

Occupational and physical therapists help their patients with a wide range of issues. They are dedicated to improving their patients’ quality of life in order to promote their health and well-being. Both types of therapists have broadened the settings in which they practice so that they can meet their patients where they are. They are currently employed in schools, gyms, spas, sporting facilities, and even private residences.

Despite some overlap, occupational and physical therapists have different techniques, focus on various skill sets, and aim for different objectives. 

Differentiating Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

Occupational therapy, sometimes known as OT, tries to help patients improve the kind of movements they need to undertake on a regular basis. Getting out of bed, walking the dog, putting groceries away, and brushing their teeth are just a few examples. True, OT can help with pain management, but the primary goal of Occupational therapists, Meadville, PA, is to help patients live as independently as possible.

Just as physical health is essential in an OT approach, mental health is as well. Occupational therapy exercises aren’t usually designed to help a patient recover from a specific ailment. Instead, they promote a healthy lifestyle that is full of diversity and activity. 

Physical therapy (PT) is a sort of treatment that involves the use of sophisticated exercises to help people recover from injuries and suffering. Because it focuses so much on assisting a patient in moving their body and reclaiming their lives, PT is utilized for a wide range of diseases.

PT, for example, specializes in assisting patients in gaining or regaining muscle strength. It can also be beneficial after surgery or in the treatment of chronic pain. No matter how it’s applied, physical therapy’s purpose is to restore function, including a complete range of motion, and to lessen or eliminate discomfort. 

Differentiating Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist

Physical therapists are actual mobility, strength, and balance specialists. They frequently assist athletes who have been hurt while participating in sports, but this isn’t their primary field of expertise. They may also choose to specialize in caring for cardiac patients, elderly patients, or individuals recuperating from brain traumas, to name just a few sorts of patients. 

Before obtaining a license, physical therapists must complete hundreds of hours of training and a series of tests to assist patients in getting back on their feet and moving again. Many physical therapists continue their education by gaining credentials or even getting a doctorate. In any event, physical therapists are well-trained to provide the most up-to-date medical care. 

Specific skills, such as standing, walking, and performing another major, complex movements, may need to be relearned. These kinds of activities may have seemed natural in childhood, but they must be repeated after a severe injury.

As a result, physical therapists utilize their problem-solving abilities to come up with new approaches to assist their patients in healing. Patients can avoid surgery using their treatment regimens. They also lower the chances of becoming hooked to painkillers like opioids. 

Conditions Treated With Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy, Meadville, PA, may be recommended when an illness or disease affects your capacity to do numerous daily chores. Some of the criteria are as follows: 

• Recovery from an injury or surgery
• Pain management
• Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or recovery from a stroke- Neurological disorders
• Joint conditions- osteoarthritis and arthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger
• Developmental conditions- autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disorders, and intellectual disabilities
• Psychological conditions- depression and anxiety
• Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease

What Does Occupational Therapy Services Provide?

Assessment

Through an individualized evaluation, the physical therapist aids the patient in determining their needs and goals. The information is used to create an intervention plan that is specific to the patient’s needs. 

Intervention

The occupational therapist helps the patient complete the activities listed in the tailored intervention plan. The plan is made up of carefully chosen activities that are related to or can prepare patients for the activities they will be undertaking when they have completed their rehabilitation. These daily activities are designed to improve the patient’s ability to conduct everyday duties. 

Evaluation

The outcome is evaluated to see if the goals were met. The physical therapist will also assess if any plan changes or therapy procedures are required. 

Final Words!

An occupational therapist uses exercises to help patients recover the fundamental skills they need to function independently. They also utilize methods for improving the fine and gross motor skills needed to do daily chores and ensure that their patients’ environments are suitable for their needs.