Physical Therapist vs Occupational Therapist: What's the Difference?

Physical Therapy vs Occupational Therapy

Physical therapy and occupational therapy create an essential backbone of integrative medicine that boosts functional, muscular and structural balance in men and women; having said that, it is worth saying that occupational therapy and physical therapy are altogether different and unique techniques of rehabilitation. If you need help with rehabilitation you should contact a Portland Physical Therapist as soon as possible.

Physical therapy addresses strengthening the muscular and structural support of the muscles and tissues after a severe or persistent ailment. The goal of physical therapy is to recover activity without impacting the regular therapeutic system.

Physical Therapy is an important part of recovery!

Occupational therapy includes assisting people with adjusting to their issues in order to optimize productivity and effective self-sufficiency. An occupational therapist really helps in improving the range of motion with help from equipment and devices following trauma that might result in long term disability. Occupational therapists also take on a preventive duty by assisting regular people to work with their bodies and not in opposition to their bodies. This is a major reason for increased deterioration tissue damage and injuries.

Physical therapists take advantage of their extensive understanding of the human musculoskeletal system, makeup and physiological function of muscles, joints and tendons in order to bring back range of motion and complete range of joint function. Furthermore, physical therapy routines and movements also reduce the possibility of joint damage and muscle injuries.

Occupational therapists assist in increasing problem management techniques in people following injuries. Occupational therapists coordinate with family, loved ones, friends and colleagues in order to help make the progression less painful and more beneficial for the recuperating person.

Physical therapist goes to work not long after the injury in the first rehabilitation course after principal injury while the services of occupational therapists are typically required in the rehabilitation phase when the patient has completely recuperated from the original injury.

Prearrangement of physical therapy might greatly improve the condition and movement of people. Physical therapists carry out interventive treatments like massage therapy, homeopathy, exercises and physical therapies to strengthen the performance of the body.

Occupational therapy is carried out once the patient has completely recuperated and the main objective is to improve the lifestyle by not allowing the injury to affect the life of patients. Occupational therapists customize the conditions and the lifestyle primarily; rather than formulating any treatment methods.

Physical therapists generally consult with sports organizations and professional athletes (because athletes are highly prone to musculoskeletal injuries and need the help of physical therapists more). Furthermore, physical therapists also team up with surgical units, burn clinics, nursing facilities and trauma centers in order to take care of patients who are struggling with moderate to serious injuries involving joints (limb joints or spinal joints).

Occupational therapists are often employed in rehab facilities to take care of the patients that have suffered irreversible injury and impairments. Occupational therapists teach patients to employ special instruments and devices such as listening devices, walking aids, visual aids and other equipment that reduce the reliance on health workers; consequently reducing financial and mental dependence. Nearly 48% of all occupational therapists work in the clinics of speech and physical therapists (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Physical therapists are most commonly engaged in the management of musculoskeletal balance while occupational therapists typically cover all facets of a person's life including social (by strengthening physical self-reliance), psychological (by counseling), economic (by minimizing the caregiver dependence) and professional (by modification of work-environment or skill-set training).

Physical therapists call for a Bachelors or Masters in Physical therapy accompanied by education in a physical therapy environment. In a similar way for you to eventually become an occupational therapist, people need a Bachelors or Masters in Occupational therapy; but no training or expertise is normally needed in order to begin the practice (according to the reports of Bureau of Labor Statistics).

At an average, there are nearly two times as many employment opportunities for physical therapists than occupational therapists (198,600 job opportunities in 2010 for physical therapists as compared to 108,800 job openings for occupational therapists).

To summarize, occupational therapy and physical therapy both make up vital tools of recovery and recovery after medium physical, musculoskeletal, vascular or neurological injuries. Even though the primary functioning and aims of the therapies overlap significantly, it can be safely stated that in specific cases, people need both physical therapy and occupational therapy to achieve optimum benefits.

Physical Therapy Resources:

American Physical Therapy Association: https://www.apta.org/

Physical Therapy Advice Video from a Doctor:

Stride Strong Physical Therapy: