OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY VS

PHYSICAL THERAPY THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH FIELD

By: Rose Nguyen

(“Universal Cuff for Feeding”) (“Physical Therapy”)

What is Occupational Therapy?

“a profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation and is widely used in physical, mental and community health settings”

-Medha Godbole

What is Physical Therapy? “focused more on

treating a person’s injury itself and on helping to prevent injuries… will diagnose and treat the physical source of the problem; the injured tissues and structures”

-Physical Therapy Web Space

What Do Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists Do?

Rehabilitate patients using training and exercises

Prevent future injuries

Assist patients in resuming their daily activities

Use treatments to develop, recover, or maintain daily work skills

Improve basic motor functions

Help clients to have independent, productive lives

Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy

What Settings Do PTs and OTs work in?

Although most physical therapists and occupational therapists work in hospitals, many also work in schools, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics

Some physical therapists and occupational therapists even work in people’s homes

The Negative Effects of Not Receiving Treatment from OT or PT

The need to depend on others to perform everyday activities

Depression Loss of Self

Confidence

Possibility of losing mobility to the injured area

Not being able to perform daily activities without help

Possibly lead to future injuries

Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy

Benefits of OT and PT

Improve motor skills to perform everyday functions

Regain a sense of independence

Gain a sense of confidence and happiness

Prevent long term pain through exercise and treatment

Gain full range of mobility from damaged areas

Ability to perform everyday activities

Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy

Distinguishing characteristics of OT and PT

Uses their techniques to help their patients perform everyday activities

Focuses on the mental aspect of a patient through therapy to assist them in gaining independence and happiness

Uses their techniques to treat specific injured areas

Focuses on the physical aspect of a patient to help them regain their full mobility of their body

Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy

Collaboration of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

“Most often, physical and occupational therapists work together to provide rehabilitation therapy. This collaborative effort ensures a patient can move well and remain as independent as possible with caring for him or herself”

-Pamela Pope

Sources Godbole, Medha. "Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy."

Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, inc., n.d. Web. 22 Feb 2011. "Occupational Physical Therapy? Differences Between Occupational

Therapy and Physical Therapy." Physical Therapy web Space. The Physical Therapy Web Space, n.d. Web. 22 Feb 2011.

Physical Therapy. Digital image. Web. 23 Feb 2011. <http://www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/noindex/0304/programs/physicat.h

tml> Pope, Pamela. "Physical Vs. Occupational Therapy: Differences in the

Field of Elder Care." Associated Content. Yahoo!, 16 May 2008. Web. 22 Feb 2011.

Univeral Cuff for Feeding. Digital image. Occupational Therapy. Web. 23 Feb 2011. <http://www.fanpop.com/spots/occupational-therapy/images/397045/title/universal-cuff-feeding-photo>