Difference Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

The key difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy is that physical therapy focuses more on the treatment of injury while occupational therapy focuses more on improving the independence of the patient after the treatment.

It is in fact true that both these types of therapies are given to patients who suffer from disability or injury that restricts their movements.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Physical Therapy
3. What is Occupational Therapy
4. Similarities Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
5. Side by Side Comparison – Physical Therapy vs Occupational Therapy in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Physical Therapy?

In brief physical therapy deals mainly in treating the injury of the patient. Therefore, it helps the patient to recover from the injury. This Physical therapy profession is also known as ‘physiotherapy’. The physical therapist will be more likely to diagnose and treat the physical source of the problem; the injured tissues and structures, while an occupational therapist will often improve the mental condition of the patient to improve their efficiency in their daily activities in the post-injury treatment stage.

Thus a physical therapist must undergo training in the field of human muscular system. In addition to the type of training he is expected to have an additional knowledge of human anatomy. He should be well equipped with a sound knowledge of the rehabilitation of injuries. His duty is to identify the source of the problem within the body.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy on the other hand deals mainly on improving the independence of the affected individual. Therefore, unlike the physical therapy, it does not focus much on the treatment of the injury.

Furthermore, occupational therapy assists in encouraging the patient to complete tasks without assistance. The occupational therapist helps the patient in learning to make use of the adaptive tools to complete tasks. He teaches the patient to know more about the limitations of his injury. It is important to note that the occupational therapists will conduct the treatment in the house of the patient by making recommendation as to the use of the adaptive tools to get over the problem and in the process helps him to improve independence.

In addition, Occupational therapists are appointed in schools to help the students to get over the problems related to writing and motor skills. Their aim is to teach the students that hygiene, toilets and dressing are skills to improve independence.

What are the Similarities Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy?

• Both Physical therapy and occupational therapy is for people suffering from disability or injury.
• Both physical and occupational therapists are trained well in anatomy and the musculoskeletal system of the human body.

What is the Difference Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy?

Physical Therapy vs Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy is more focused on evaluating and diagnosing movement dysfunctions as well as treating a person’s injury itself.	Occupational therapy  to focus more on evaluating and improving a persons confidence and functional abilities.
Responsibility
A physical therapist deals in evaluating and diagnosing movement dysfunctions and treating a person’s injury itself.	An occupational therapist is often involved in building up the confidence of the patients and also in educating people on how to prevent and avoid injuries.

Summary – Physical Therapy vs Occupational Therapy

Both the physical and occupational therapists have their roles to play in the health related issues of individuals. The difference between Physical therapy and Occupational therapy is that Physical therapy mainly involves in treating the injury of the patient while the Occupational therapy mainly involves in building the person optimize their independence and their ability to accomplish their daily activities. Therefore, it should be noted that Physical therapy and Occupational therapy are two disciplines of therapy that show differences between them.

Image Courtesy:

1.’1327811′ By andreas160578 (Public Domain) via pixabay
2.’US Navy 030409-N-0000W-001 Navy Occupational Therapist Lt. Maria Barefield (right) provides hand care for a family member in the Physical Therapy Department’By Tom Watanabe (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia