Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: Understanding the Difference
Reviewed and contributions made by MaryLynn Jacobs, MBA MS OTR/L CHT, Senior Director Hand Therapy Services, and Charles Thigpen PhD PT ATC, Vice President, Care Delivery
It is true that physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) share a lot of similarities. It is also easy to confuse the two. Both professions have similar backgrounds in anatomy, kinesiology, and other foundational sciences. This knowledge allows them to assess musculoskeletal (MSK) related pain and develop a rehabilitation plan. Both professions deliver care through the tailored exercises specific to a diagnosis, hands-on techniques, and home exercise programs to achieve patient goals. Finally, both professions may work in a hospital, clinic, school or other similar settings.
Yet, despite their similarities, these professions achieve patient goals in different ways. At ATI, our physical therapists offer a broad range of treatment options for the whole body. Conversely, our occupational therapists provide a specialized form of care, focused on the hands and upper extremities.
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How is Physical Therapy Different from Occupational Therapy?
Physical therapists focus on MSK related pain and injury. Physical therapists are experts in restoring a patient’s ability to move. This most often starts with techniques and education to resolve pain followed by rebuilding strength and mobility to help their patients go the places they want to go and to move about.
Occupational therapists, on the other hand, focus on what their patient’s need and want to do. That could mean playing the piano, typing on a keyboard or gardening. An occupational therapist works with the patient through a whole-body perspective. Their goal is to help patients adjust their physical and cognitive abilities to perform those tasks.
The easiest way to differentiate between the two is to remember: your physical therapist will help you go somewhere. Your occupational therapist will help you perform the tasks you need to do once you arrive.
Physical Therapy at ATI
Physical Therapists [PT] are experts in movement. They diagnose and treat MSK-related symptoms and conditions. The primary goal of physical therapy is to improve and/or restore physical movement.
Physical therapy is often thought of a post-operative or post-injury care. However, physical therapy can help prevent injuries and avoid surgery. It can also assist in managing age-related and other medical conditions.
A PT may use a combination of hands-on therapy, strength training and cardiovascular conditioning. These techniques help patients gain strength, increase range of motion and reduce pain.
At ATI, our physical therapists offer a variety of MSK care and specialties to treat our patients. These treatment options include:
- Certified Manual (Hand-On) Therapy
- Instrumented Soft Tissue Techniques (e.g., joint mobilization)
- Spinal Manipulation
- Dry Needling
- Manual Therapies
- Musculoskeletal Assessments (McKenzie Method)
- Aquatic Therapy*
- Peripheral Joint Measurement Assessments (Isokinetic Dynamometry)*
- Vestibular Therapy
*Therapy and/or assessment available at select clinics.
In addition, ATI has experts trained to treat women’s and men’s pelvic health, sports physical therapy and worker's compensation cases.
At ATI, our physical therapists offer a broad range of care options meeting patients where they want to receive care. This is because our patients come to us with a wide range of problems. Whatever your condition, our PTs use their knowledge of the human body to help our patients move about more freely and without pain.
This broad spectrum of care is much different than what our occupational therapists offer at ATI. While our occupational therapists share in that knowledge of the human body, they provide a very specialized and focused kind of treatment.
Occupational Therapy at ATI
At ATI, our occupational therapists (OT) focus on rehabilitation of the upper extremities (i.e., hands, wrists, elbows and arms). The primary goal is helping a patient become pain-free and functionally independent.
This area, known as Hand Therapy, is a specialty within the occupational therapy field. Many of our OTs hold an advanced certification in Hand Therapy.
This additional training provides them with the knowledge to work with hand and elbow doctors. It also provides them with the ability to create custom splints following injury or surgery.
OTPs address a spectrum of injury and disease. These conditions range from work-related repetitive strain to post-operative procedures. They work on strength, range of motion, wounds, fabricate splints and provide adaptive tools and equipment when needed.
At ATI, our Hand Therapists diagnose and treat upper extremity cases including:
- Soft tissue sprains and strains
- Upper extremity fractures
- Arthritic/degenerative joint disease
- Rotator cuff injuries and other shoulder pathologies
- Compression-based and traumatic peripheral nerve injuries
- Multiple trauma injuries
- Wound care
- Scar management
- Tendon lacerations and repairs
- Amputations and re-plantations
- Overuse tendinopathies
It’s undeniable that our hands play an instrumental part of our lives. Our hands perform “occupations” that bring meaning and purpose to life: holding a baby, feeding ourselves, buttoning our shirt and so on. Our OTs provide this specialized care to allow our patients to perform the tasks they need, want and are expected to do on a daily basis.
ATI Provides Both Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Treatment
Whether you are suffering from back pain, an ankle injury or struggle with balance issues, physical therapy can be a great care option. It can relieve your symptoms, build strength and restore movement. If you need more specialized care for your hands, our occupational therapists can help.
Whatever your ailment, need or therapy goal is, our trained therapists will assess your condition and provide you with options to get back to your regular routine. The professionals at ATI are there to help you both go where you want to and do the things you need to in order to live your best life.