There’s a difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy. While the two may be similar in some ways, they are also different in many other aspects. Although both of them are popular healthcare professions that help people regain their functionality or improve symptoms related to a health issue, their focus is different. In this article, we will compare and contrast these two concepts for you to have a better understanding of them.
What is occupational therapy and what does it do?
Occupational therapists help people with injuries or special conditions to perform their daily activities on their own. Occupational therapy can also be used to improve the quality of life for those who suffer from conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and more. The specialists in this kind of therapy are able to treat a wide range of conditions due to the nature of their qualifications, focusing both on the mental health and the physical rehabilitation of their patients. Their goal is to help their patients do day-to-day tasks that go from brushing their teeth to doing their actual job.
What is physical therapy and what does it do?
Physical therapy is a rehabilitation profession that focuses on improving mobility, reducing pain, and preventing disability in patients. Physical therapists are able to treat injuries from the past or present and monitor a patient’s progress. They are also able to provide advice for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Unlike occupational therapists who diagnose and treat patients with physical disabilities, physical therapists focus on treating medical conditions such as back pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, etc.
The difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy
The main difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy is their approach to rehabilitative care of their patients. While PT’s main goal is to restore body mobility without pain, occupational therapists aim to restore both physical and mental health so that patients are able to do their daily tasks on their own. For example, an occupational therapist will help people regain their functionality or improve symptoms related to a health issue but they can also focus on treatment for past or present injuries. Physical therapists focus more on treating medical conditions such as back pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, and more. On the other hand, specialists in Occupational Health are able to treat a wide range of conditions due to the nature of their qualifications, which is something that physical therapists cannot do because this profession has no training in diagnosing patients.
Why should you see both an OT and PT if you have a chronic condition or are recovering from surgery?
You should get a second opinion from another professional before making any decisions about your health. In fact, many patients with chronic conditions or recovering from surgery may benefit greatly from seeing both an occupational therapist and physical therapist. This is because these two professions offer different services and can help you deal with any potential complications you could face in the future. Both professions have different ways of treating their patients and can provide much-needed insight that can be very beneficial for those suffering from chronic conditions or recovering from injuries.
Work On Your Physical And Mental Health | Midtown Occupational Health Services in Denver, CO.
Now you know the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy. In conclusion, both kinds of therapists have a lot more to offer patients when it comes to healthcare. They help improve a patient’s life by not just treating their symptoms but also retraining them in order to better deal with any potential complications and issues they could face throughout the course of specific conditions or injuries. If you are looking for occupational and/or physical therapy in Denver for yourself or for your company, book an appointment at Midtown Occupational Health Services. Click here for more information.