What's the Difference Between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy?

Physical and occupational therapy clinics see an average of 200 patients each week. But unless you or a close loved one has received physical or occupational therapy, you may not fully understand the differences between these two therapy disciplines.

Below, you’ll find overviews of physical and occupational therapies. Take a moment to learn more about what distinguishes these therapies and how they might benefit you or a loved one in the future.

Physical Therapy

When you experience an accident or illness that impedes your ability to walk, stand, get out of bed, or manage your daily tasks, hospital treatment is often not enough to regain or maintain your physical ability. That’s where physical therapy comes into play.

When a patient enters a physical therapy program, their physical therapist assesses their condition and develops for them a personalized care plan that targets their areas of pain, discomfort, or reduced ability.

This program will involve a variety of exercises, techniques, or modalities performed under the close supervision of the therapist that will help the patient get stronger and more confident in their ability to move.

Here are some examples of the modalities often used in physical therapy:

• Strength training (often with weights or bands)      
• Stretching
• Massage therapy
• Hot or cold therapy
• Hydrotherapy, with equipment such as the AquaCiser® Underwater Treadmill System
• Low-impact therapy, with equipment such as the AlterG® Anti-Gravity Treadmill®

In some cases, patients require a single physical therapy program for an isolated, acute event, such as a fall or car accident. But others require ongoing outpatient physical therapy treatment for chronic illness or chronic pain.

Physical therapy may be necessary for anyone struggling with these issues:

• Chronic neck, back, knee, or hip pain
• Brain or spinal injuries
• Stroke
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Occupational Therapy

While physical therapy helps you regain your strength and ability and manage chronic pain, occupational therapy helps you regain and keep your ability to perform daily tasks, which is crucial for independent living.

Certain ailments or conditions can make getting through daily routines difficult and even unsafe. The exercises and modalities in a typical occupational therapy program are designed to improve a patient’s ability to perform these tasks safely while they manage their condition.

Occupational therapy treats many of same conditions as physical therapy, such as bone and muscular injuries and chronic illness, but other conditions may include:

• Amputations
• Developmental delays
• Burns
• Abdominal injuries
• Mental disabilities

The exercises and modalities in occupational therapy often relate to or recreate regular life scenarios or activities of daily living so that patients can practice living on their own again. Some of these exercises may involve:

• Getting dressed
• Getting in & out of the car
• Driving
• Shopping
• Using technology or tools
• Transferring from beds & chairs
• Bathing & toileting

While physical and occupational therapies share important differences, they also share a common goal: helping patients reclaim the strength, ability, and confidence they need to lead safe, independent, and fulfilling lives.