Physical and occupational therapy often need clarification with each other, especially by students who are thinking about working in the medical field. It makes sense. Not only do the fields have similar names, but they are also similar in other ways.
But there are important differences between occupational and physical therapy that make them two fields requiring different education and training. Today, Nova Home Health Care will help explain this phenomenon. Check out this blog post for more details and know which therapy is best for you.
Physical vs. Occupational Therapy
The main difference between the two fields is that physical therapy helps patients deal with pain, increase their range of motion, improve endurance, and develop gross motor skills.
On the other hand, occupational therapy focuses more on how clients do the activities and roles most important to them in their daily lives, such as assessing and treating physical, psychosocial, behavioral, cognitive, or sensory skills.
There are more differences between the two jobs than what has been discussed. We’ll talk about these differences in more depth below.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on helping people who are getting better from physical, mental, developmental, and emotional problems that make it hard for them to do daily tasks.
Most of the time, occupational therapists will work with people who:
- Mishaps or injuries that happen at birth
- Disorders involving the senses
- Brain or spinal cord injuries that are caused by a blow
- Autism and other disorders that come with growing up
- Problems with your mind or behavior
Other kinds of injuries and illnesses might make it hard for them to do everyday things
Occupational therapy aims to give people the tools they need to be in charge of their own lives.
Occupational therapists help patients regain their independence and improve their quality of life by helping them learn or relearn how to do everyday tasks.
What this looks like will depend on the patient’s goals and the kind of work the occupational therapist does. For instance, an occupational therapist might help a patient:
- Develop fine motor skills so they can hold and use things like a pen, spoon, key, or another tool.
- Develop the hand-eye coordination they need to interact with the world.
- Learn how to do simple things like eat, bathe, dress, go to the bathroom, etc.
- Control and manage your emotions. This is especially important for kids and people with behavioral disorders.
Occupational Therapy at HHC
Nova Home Health Care is here to help you or a loved one if you are having trouble with your memory, your motor skills, your behavior, or your emotions or if you just need help with things like getting dressed, bathing, walking, eating, and going to the bathroom.
Our best Occupational Therapists help our clients improve their daily life skills and regain their independence without them having to leave the comfort of their own homes. This works with the help of the best occupational therapy equipment.
Our top priority is ensuring our clients can deal with temporary or permanent disabilities and stay safe in their homes. Our Services For Occupational Therapy include the following:
- Strength and Conditioning for Balance and Walking
- Training to make moving around easier
- Fall Risk Assessments
- Home Exercise Program Tailored to You
- Pain Management
- Rehab for bones and joints
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
- Stimulation of Electrotherapeutic Points (ETPS)
Physical Therapy (PT)
Physical therapy (PT) is a branch of medicine that focuses on helping people who have been hurt or sick and now have pain, weak muscles, or a limited range of motion.
Most of the time, physical therapists work with people who have been hurt or sick in some way that affects how their bodies work, such as:
- If you break a bone or strain a joint,
- Musculoskeletal problems like a torn rotator cuff, generalized neck and back pain, or temporomandibular joint disorders.
- Conditions in the heart and lungs
- Injuries from sports (including concussions)
- Concerns about women’s health
Physical therapy aims to control and lessen neck pain, strengthen weak muscles, improve endurance, and improve range of motion in general. The specific goals of treatment will, of course, depend on what each person needs.
Physical Therapy at Nova HHC
Nova Home Health Care’s physical therapy services are meant to help people improve their movement, health, safety, and independence without leaving their homes’ comfort and convenience.
We work closely with doctors and therapists to create a care plan for each client that is based on their needs and goals. Services for physical therapy include:
- Strength and Conditioning for Balance and Walking
- Training to make moving around easier
- Fall Risk Assessments
- Home Exercise Program Tailored to You
- Pain Management
- Rehab for bones and joints
- Vestibular Rehabilitation
- Getting a better range of motion
- Stimulation of Electrotherapeutic Points (ETPS)
Which is Right for You: OT or PT?
So how will therapy help you? That depends on how you feel and what you need. You should consider seeing a physical therapist if you have a condition that makes it hard for you to walk or move a body part without pain.
They can help you do targeted exercises, stretches, and other things to eliminate pain and improve your mobility, strength, and range of motion. Or you’ve noticed that you have trouble doing things like picking up things or getting dressed.
Working with an occupational therapist could help improve the motor skills needed for these tasks. Talk to your doctor about what kind of therapy would work best for you. They can tell you what each therapy is good for and which will work best for your needs.
Our Takeaway
Rehabilitative care includes both physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT). Even though they have many of the same goals and treat many of the same conditions, they are not the same.
PT focuses on getting people moving, getting them stronger, and increasing their range of motion. OT tries to help you improve your motor skills to do everyday things.
The type of therapy you choose will depend on your condition and what you need. Working closely with your doctor can help you figure out which therapy will help you reach your goals the best.
For the best help, contact us here at Nova Home Health Care. We have other services like Private Duty Nursing, Respite Care, and Personal Care that may help you more with your goals and health.
