Physical Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy. What’s the Difference?
By Javier J. Ibarra, DPT, OCS, COMT, CSCS
A question as old as time: what is the difference between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy? If you work in either field, you have undoubtedly been asked this question a time or two. It’s a valid question as there is a lot of overlap between the two fields. On the surface, the two professions look similar. Let’s break down the main differences between physical and occupational therapy.
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy is a profession that:
"helps people across the lifespan do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability."
The American Physical Therapy Association states that physical therapists:
"diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to people at the end of life. Many patients have injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions that need treatment. But PTs also care for people who want to become healthier and to prevent future problems. Physical therapists examine each person and then develop a treatment plan to improve their ability to move, reduce or manage pain, restore function, and prevent disability."
That should clear things up. You would think so, but by looking at these official definitions, it's still unclear what makes these professions distinct from each other. To honestly answer the question, I think we should look at what each of these practices looks like in the real world.
Both professions share a substantial amount of foundational knowledge in the neuromusculoskeletal system (think nerves, muscles, joints, etc.). It’s the application of this knowledge that sets each profession apart.
GROSS MOTOR SKILLS
Think of each profession regarding what types of movement they emphasize and what real-life activities the work translates to. This breaks down into gross vs. fine motor skills. Gross motor skills are movements that involve large muscle groups and may span multiple joints. Think of activities such as squatting, walking, running, jumping, climbing stairs, reaching overhead into a cabinet, etc. It’s these gross movements that physical therapists tend to work on. This may include anything from helping a person with a history of stroke safely stand up from a chair to improving a person’s running stride to prevent knee pain.
“PTs will help you get out of bed and get to the bathroom. OTs will help you work on the things you do in the bathroom once you get there.”
FINE MOTOR SKILLS
Fine motor skills involve using small muscles, especially in the hands and wrists, to complete tasks that require agility and coordination. Examples of fine motor skills include buttoning a shirt, writing a letter, cutting a steak with a knife, etc. These types of fine motor skills are what occupational therapists tend to focus on. This may include helping a person with a brain injury regain the ability to comb their hair or assisting a guitarist in playing their instrument after a hand injury.
While there are other differences between PTs and OTs, think of the difference between the two through the emphasis each profession places on different movements. The example I like to use to explain this to people is that PTs will help you get out of bed and get to the bathroom, and OTs will help you work on the things you do in the bathroom once you get there.
Regardless of the movement, PTs and OTs strive to help their patients maximize their quality of life. Both professions improve the patients' quality of life by decreasing pain, improving mobility, and improving essential and pertinent skills to that individual patient. If you find yourself with a physical issue affecting your quality of life, do not hesitate to find a highly qualified rehab professional in your area.
Have more questions? Call ZK Outpatient Rehabilitation Center today at 702.840.1222 or click→ here to schedule a free 15-minute telephone.
References:
https://www.apta.org/your-career/careers-in-physical-therapy/becoming-a-pt
https://www.aota.org/Conference-Events/OTMonth/what-is-OT.aspx