Occupational Therapy Vs. Physical Therapy: How Do They Differ?

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HealthlineSubscribeOccupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: What to Know

Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT — Written by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. on March 11, 2020

Differences
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About physical therapy
About occupational therapy
Which to choose?
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A physical therapist helps a patient to do a physical therapy exercise using a handheld weight.

Physical therapy and occupational therapy are two types of rehabilitative care. The goal of rehabilitative care is to improve or prevent the worsening of your condition or quality of life due to an injury, surgery, or illness.

While there are some similarities between physical therapy and occupational therapy, there are also key differences.

This article will take a closer look at both types of therapies, the benefits they offer, and how they differ from one another.

What are the key differences?

Physical therapy, also known as PT, focuses on helping improve your movement, mobility, and function. A physical therapist may do this by using a variety of exercises, stretches, or other physical activities.

For example, someone who has had knee replacement surgery may visit a physical therapist as part of their recovery.

The physical therapist will work with the patient to help strengthen their knee and increase the range of motion in their knee joint. This can help them move more easily with less pain and discomfort.

Occupational therapy, also known as OT, focuses on helping you perform daily tasks more easily. This type of therapy focuses on improving your fine and gross motor skills so you can carry out specific day-to-day activities. The occupational therapist will also focus on making your home or school environment more optimal for your everyday life.

For example, an occupational therapist may help someone recovering from a stroke relearn how to do daily tasks, like dressing or eating with utensils. They may also make changes in the home, like installing a grab bar in the shower.

What are the similarities?

Despite their differences, there are some ways that PT and OT are similar. These include:

Overall purpose. PT and OT both aim to improve your overall functioning, quality of life, and knowledge about how to maintain your health and well-being.
Conditions. There’s considerable overlap with the health conditions for which both therapies may be recommended.
Design. Both types of therapy provide hands-on care that’s tailored to the patient’s specific needs.
Tasks. There can be some overlap in the tasks performed. For example, occupational therapists may also teach stretches or exercises. Physical therapists may work on movements to help with daily activities, such as getting in and out of the tub.
Goals and monitoring. Both types of therapy set goals and assess your progress as you work to achieve them.

What does a physical therapist do?

Now that we’ve discussed the differences and similarities between PT and OT, let’s break down what a physical therapist does in more detail.

What are the goals of physical therapy?

The overall goals of PT focus on:

improving or restoring movement, strength, and range of motion
decreasing pain
preventing your condition from getting worse
educating you on ways to maintain your overall fitness and functionality

When is physical therapy needed?

PT is often recommended when a condition affects your movement or range of motion. PT can be used for:

improving mobility after an injury
recovery following a surgical procedure
pain management
joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis
neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and recovery after a stroke
hand conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger
urinary incontinence
lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis
heart conditions, such as heart failure and recovery after a heart attack
cancer

What type of therapy can you expect?

The type of therapy you’ll receive will be tailored to your specific needs. The physical therapist will carefully review your medical history and current health condition to develop a plan and goals for your therapy.

Physical therapists use a variety of techniques, including:

targeted exercises
stretching
hands-on manipulation
application of hot and cold
massage
ultrasound
electrical stimulation

Where can you receive physical therapy?

Physical therapists work in a variety of locations, including but not limited to:

outpatient clinics or offices
inpatient facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes
home health agencies
schools
fitness centers

What does an occupational therapist do?

Now let’s look at OT a little more closely and what it entails.

What are the goals of occupational therapy?

The overarching goals of OT are to:

maximize your ability to safely and effectively perform various daily tasks
promote independence and productivity
educate caregivers on how to help someone who is undergoing OT

When is occupational therapy needed?

OT may be recommended when a condition or illness affects your ability to do various day-to-day tasks. Some examples of conditions that OT may be used for include:

recovery from an injury or surgery
pain management
neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or recovery from a stroke
joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
hand conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger
developmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disorders, and intellectual disabilities
psychological conditions, such as depression and anxiety
dementia or Alzheimer’s disease

What type of therapy can you expect?

The occupational therapist will review your medical history and your condition to determine what your needs are. Then, they’ll use this information to develop a therapy plan and set specific goals.

Some of the things that may be involved as part of OT include:

helping you learn or relearn how to perform daily tasks, such as getting dressed, eating, and bathing
assessing your home, school, or workplace to identify ways to make your daily tasks easier
teaching you how to use assistive devices, such as wheelchairs and walkers
helping you with tasks that require fine motor skills, such as writing or buttoning a shirt
training you on ways to safely get into and out of chairs, your bed, or the bathtub
showing you exercises you can perform to help increase flexibility or reduce pain
assisting you with programs that help you return to work
teaching you strategies for managing stress
educating your loved ones and caregivers on how to effectively support you in your day-to-day life

Where can you receive occupational therapy?

Occupational therapists work in a variety of facilities, including:

outpatient clinics or offices
inpatient facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes
mental health facilities
schools
home health agencies

Which therapy to choose?

So how do you know which type of therapy is right for you? That depends on your condition and your specific needs.

If you have a condition that’s affecting your ability to walk or move a body part without pain, you may want to consider a physical therapist. They can work with you to reduce pain, improve your mobility, strength, and range of motion through targeted exercises, stretches, and other methods.

Or maybe you’ve noticed that you’re having a hard time performing daily tasks, such as picking up objects or getting dressed. In this case, working with an occupational therapist could help improve the motor skills needed for these specific tasks.

It’s important to talk to your doctor about the type of therapy that’s right for you. They can help advise you on the benefits of each therapy, and which one is right for your specific needs.

The bottom line

Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) are types of rehabilitative care. While they have similar goals and treat many of the same conditions, they also differ.

PT focuses on restoring or improving movement, strength, and range of motion. OT aims to improve the motor skills you need to perform daily tasks.

Which type of therapy you choose depends on your specific condition and individual needs. Working closely with your doctor can help you decide which therapy is best suited to you and your goals.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Beaulieu CL, et al. (2015). Occupational, physical, and speech therapy treatment activities during inpatient rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.apmr.2014.10.028
Chimenti RL, et al. (2018). A mechanism-based approach to physical therapist management of pain. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.1093%2Fptj%2Fpzy030
Lagueux E, et al. (2018). Occupational therapy’s unique contribution to chronic pain management: A scoping review. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.1155%2F2018%2F5378451
Morris DM, et al. (2018). Preparing physical and occupational therapists to be health promotion practitioners: A call for action. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph15020392
Nelson DL, et al. (2002). Physical therapy and occupational therapy: Partners in rehabilitation for persons with movement impairments. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/J003v15n03_03
Occupational therapists. (2019).https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm
Occupational therapy vs. physical therapy. (2017).https://www.sanfrancisco.va.gov/features/Occupational_Therapy_vs_Physical_Therapy.asp
Physical rehabilitation at the hospital. (n.d.).https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/physical-rehabilitation-at-the-hospital
Physical therapists. (2020).https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm
Rizzo A. (2016). The role of exercise and rehabilitation in the cancer care plan.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5679055/
Role of a physical therapist. (2019).https://www.apta.org/PTCareers/RoleofaPT/

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Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT — Written by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. on March 11, 2020

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What are the key differences?

What are the similarities?

What does a physical therapist do?

What are the goals of physical therapy?

When is physical therapy needed?

What type of therapy can you expect?

Where can you receive physical therapy?

What does an occupational therapist do?

What are the goals of occupational therapy?

When is occupational therapy needed?

What type of therapy can you expect?

Where can you receive occupational therapy?

Which therapy to choose?

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

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