Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy — What’s the Difference?
Until you sustained your injury or developed a chronic condition, you probably didn’t give much thought to needing occupational vs physical therapy. Some people even assume that OT is literally something to keep ill or incarcerated people “occupied.” In fact, both physical and occupational therapy can play a part in recovering from a painful condition.
Understanding the Differences
Often the choice between whether to treat your problem with occupational vs physical therapy is a clear-cut one. Yet there can be some overlap when it comes to occupational and physical therapy. That’s why your doctor may tell you that either can help, leaving the preference up to you. It’s important to understand what each type of therapeutic treatment can do for you when deciding between them — or alternating between OT and PT.
Occupational Therapy
Some occupational therapists specialize in working with patients who need emotional or behavioral outlets. But many focus on helping patients with injuries and chronic conditions learn to do various tasks in new ways.
This re-training helps reduce the pain that specific motions normally create. In addition, undertaking OT reduces the likelihood of your re-injuring yourself. Depending on what causes flare-ups of pain or balance issues for you, your occupational therapist can show you a better way to undertake certain tasks. These might include getting into the car, emptying the dishwasher, lifting heavy items — or just putting on clothes and brushing hair.
Falling is often a concern with seniors and for people with lower-body injuries. OT teaches patients how to maneuver their environment more carefully. Balance work can include visual focusing tricks, as well as limb placement.
In addition, an occupational therapist may talk to you about your home and office layouts. She may suggest more ergonomic office furniture. Simple changes like raising your monitor, using a headset phone, or wearing a back support belt for lifting can also be discussed.
These changes often help people suffering from tension headaches, whiplash, back problems, and shoulder pain. She can also talk to you about ways to make your household areas more safe and functional.
Physical Therapy
Like occupational therapy, physical therapy is all about movement. But instead of learning how to perform common motions more efficiently, you’re learning moves that increase flexibility, balance, and strength.
Patients with arthritis and injuries seek physical therapy when their range of motion becomes severely limited, as well as painful. Stretching is a key way to regain flexibility in PT, as is specialized massage and ultrasound devices.
It’s also important to build strength so that muscles can better support injured ligaments, joints, tendons, and bones. During PT, patients gain the muscle tone they need in order to accomplish this. In addition, strengthening the core as well as the limbs enable patients to conquer certain balance problems.
What if You Need Both?
Many patients are searching for a professional who will help them build flexibility and to rehab injuries. Yet they could also use some help when it comes to performing painful or risky tasks. Your physical therapist may also have occupational therapy training.
Better still, consider a full-service clinic like STI, which has both physical and occupational therapists on staff. We can provide you with the ideal balance of services. Call our office today to schedule a consultation to learn more about how we can help provide you with a range of services.
