Many people mistakenly believe that occupational therapy — OT — and physical therapy — PT — are the same thing. While the two do have some overlapping areas, they are very distinct professions with unique goals for their patients. Below are just a few of the differences you can expect from professionals in these fields.

4 Distinctions Separating Occupational & Physical Therapy

1. Occupational Therapy Focuses on Activities of Daily Living

Where physical therapy is more concerned with improving a person’s ability to move the human body, occupational therapy focuses on improving their ability to perform daily activities. For example, they might help patients regain skills after an accident, provide physical and environmental support for seniors developing cognitive changes, or assist children with disabilities in participating more at school.

2. Physical Therapy Seeks to Improve the Impairment

During physical therapy, the therapist will come up with a treatment that targets the injured area with the intention of restoring mobility. They do this through manual techniques like exercise, massage, or acupuncture. Many times, this type of treatment minimizes the need for surgery or helps end long-term reliance on medications.

3. Physical Therapy Primarily Occurs In-Office

Most of the techniques a physical therapist will employ to help heal injuries and prevent them in the future are done in-office. This is to ensure the patient is safely completing the modalities and to assess their current pain levels. Although some occupational therapy is done in the office, the majority of it is done by the patient when they are in their home or work environment.

4. Occupational Therapy Requires an Understanding of Mental Health

While both fields focus on healing and preventing physical injuries, occupational therapists must also have a comprehensive understanding of mental health. This allows them to design activities and exercises to help patients learn work and life management skills that do not go beyond their limits.

If you have a loved one in need of occupational or physical therapy, contact CareResource Hawaii in Honolulu to get the care they deserve. They are one of the best home health care companies in the country and offer private duty as well as Medicare-certified services. For more information, call them today at (808) 599-4999, or visit their website.