What is the difference between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

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Rajeev Sikka:

R occupational therapist different than regular physics

Hardeep

In my understanding, while the basics are same, the focus differs. PT aims on the larger muscles, trying to bring in mobility, reduce Spasticity. OT, as the name indicates, tries to bring in daily living and job related skills.Some more details:

Both PT and OT are “rehabilitative care”, with purpose of improving the affected’s condition or quality of life.

PT, however, focuses more on movement, mobility and function. It involves different exercises, stretches etc.

For example, in case of a weak leg, the PT works with the affected to make the leg stronger so that the person may walk unassisted, or partially assisted, with minimal pain and discomfort, to the extent possible.

OT focuses more on how to perform daily tasks more easily. This requires improving fine and gross motor skills to carry out specific activities such as driving, typing, stitching etc., for example. An occupational therapist also helps in improving the environment a stroke warrior is usually in so as to make it more safe and convenient. For example, an OT may suggest installing a grab bar in the shower.

As can be readily understood, there are large similarities. These include overall purpose, the conditions to which these therapies maybe applied, hands-on care needed for both, tasks to be performed, goals and monitoring, special devices and techniques etc.

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For more, you may like to see :

https://www.healthline.com/health/occupational-therapy-vs-physical-therapy

[Admin]

[6/15, 3:22 PM] Dr. Melitta Menezes: Initially Physios worked on muscle strength, flexibility, gait and such gross motor skills. While occupational therapists worked to teach ADL skills , and fine motor hand skills… These days however both focus on functional improvements considering the individual and their needs as a whole…

[6/15, 3:24 PM] Dr. Melitta Menezes: Certain skills may get difficult to learn not due to strength or movement deficits but due to difficulty with understanding and processing the steps of the tasks… Some occupational therapists are more experienced in handling these difficulties

[6/15, 3:25 PM] Dr. Sureshkumar Kamalakannan: Occupational therapists are trained and qualified to enable a person with a disability to get back to their usual activities of daily living, work, and leisure with or without the use of assistive devices and specialized techniques.

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