What is the difference between OT and PT?
This is a question I get asked a lot, and for good reason. What I’ve noticed is that, unless you have a child that received services, or a parent you have supported while at a rehabilitation center, it’s difficult to understand the difference. In many settings, the OT and PT will be working together on a case very closely because there may be some overlap in treatment. Academically, both professions require similar schooling- OT/PT students shared the same classrooms for Anatomy and Physiology. However, our differences come into play with the theories that define the outlook and goals for our treatment.
Theories refer to the outlook on treatment – think of it like choosing your political view. Physical therapy only uses a Biomechanical Model of improving performance. PTs focus on Strength, Range of Motion, and balance for improved gait (walking), and transfers (moving from one position to another). Occupational Therapists are trained in the Biomechanical Model, but also a range of other theories that reflects training in psychology, sociology, communication and the way we perform functional activities. A simple analogy - Physical Therapy are like body builders performing reps to build muscle, and Occupational Therapy are the Yogi’s or Dancers. Both groups are athletes and may look similar and work on the same muscle groups, but they have a different approach. The setting also determines the way Occupational Therapists perform treatment.
In Acute settings OT focuses on Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s). ADL’s are defined as daily occupations performed at home that are required to get back to your routine, typically it includes tasks in Toileting, Dressing, Hygiene, Bathing. Insurance companies and the Interdisciplinary team (nursing, social work, MD, etc) want to see that you can perform these tasks safely and independently before discharging to the home. Your Occupational Therapist is the person that will ensure your independent mobility with exercise and functional activities in treatment. Let’s say an 80 year old woman breaks her hip and gets a hip replacement, after a couple days in the hospital the doctor deems her unsafe to return home because she can’t go to the bathroom on her own or walk. Instead, they send her to a Sub-Acute Rehabilitation where an OT will work on her ability to perform ADL’s on her own, and PT will work on her ability to stand, walk and climb the stairs needed at home.
In Outpatient settings, or a Hand Therapy Clinic, there are specialists called Certified Hand Therapists (CHT) for injuries of the Upper Extremities. This is for those that may have had a work related injury like Carpal Tunnel (refer to the Ergonomics Blog Post!), and need surgery, or someone who fell on ice and broke their wrist. Believe it or not, 70% of Certified Hand Therapists are Occupational Therapists, 30% are Physical Therapists. In this setting, splints or devices to help the joint heal properly are made or fitted by your therapist. This is in combination with exercises specific to your needs to ensure safe return to daily activities. In this setting, the two are very similar. In some settings, people define OT as upper body specialists, and PT for lower body injuries, but there is a clear difference in the assessments we perform and the way we document treatment.
In Pediatric settings, Occupational Therapists have the best job in the world - to play with babies! This comes with strategic play. Just as in the other settings, we evaluate where a child is struggling or has a developmental delay, and plan an activity to focus on improving those areas of difficulty. The children seen in occupational therapy may have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or a Learning Disability, but many times they may go undiagnosed. That's where our specialty is our strength, we assess all different areas of the way your child processes their world from attention, the way they hold a pencil, how they process sound or vision, social communication, and we can differentiate behavior difficulties from sensory processing difficulties. OT’s in this setting will report on behaviors, abilities to perform fine motor and gross motor tasks, communication, visual attention and ability to perform ADL’s, PT’s will focus on strength, posture, and mobility. The two disciplines may overlap, especially in this setting, but the differences are more clear in the documentation and goals for treatment.
Occupational and Physical Therapists are the twins that keep getting confused with each other, not to mention our third sibling Speech Therapy. We’re all healthcare professions that are needed in similar settings, and get grouped together for insurance reimbursement. However, we each belong to different national associations and have different specialties.
I hope that helps those of you that were confused! If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to me at smplytherapy@gmail.com
What is Occupational Therapy and When do you need it?
Occupational therapy (OT) teaches people of all ages how to adapt to everyday life.
True of False? - Occupational Therapists help people find jobs.
This is absolutely false.
I’m Kristin, Founder of SmplyTherapy, Welcome to my page and blog. Having been in the field of Occupational Therapy for many years, I’m very aware that there are many people who do not know exactly what Occupational Therapy is. If you’re here, you must be curious if Occupational Therapy is right for you or your loved one. First, I want to take you through some basics about Occupational Therapy.
What is Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) teaches people of all ages how to adapt to everyday life. According to The American Occupational Therapy Association, Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to 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.
Common occupational therapy interventions include:
Helping children with difficulties or behavioral problems to participate fully in school and in social settings
Assisting people who are recovering from injury to regain everyday skills
Providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes
Who are Occupational Therapy Practitioners?
Occupational therapy practitioners (also may be called Occupational Therapists or OTs) are healthcare professionals with a holistic perspective who uses evidence-based practice that is deeply rooted in science and research to promote a patients' functional capability to accomplish their daily routines.
OTs have vast training and understanding of how to treat the whole body by combining neurological principles, anatomical / physiological concepts, and psychological perspectives.
How does Occupational Therapy work?
Typically, Occupational Therapy services will involve:
Individualized evaluation in which a client’s needs are assessed. The evaluation may take place in your home, workplace or a child’s school
Therapy plan and goal setting designed for you (or your children’s) needs and limitations
Customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals
Outcomes evaluation to determine is goals are being met and / or make changes to the customized plan
Who needs Occupational Therapy?
Often times, people simply do not receive the help they need in order to improve their lives because they are not sure what they need.
I speak with many young or first time mothers who may recognize their young children are more fussy than others but do not know where to go to seek help other than their pediatrician. Often, the parents may be referred to an Occupational Therapist who can help to evaluate and get the proper support for their children. Occupational therapy has been known to help children with ADHD, juvenile arthritis, and autism.
However, Occupational Therapy isn’t just for children. Anyone who struggles to do everyday tasks may benefit from it. If you have any of the health issues below, you may consult your doctor and see if occupational therapy can help you:
Arthritis and chronic pain
Stroke
Brain injury
Joint replacement
Spinal cord injury
Low vision
Alzheimer’s disease
Poor balance
Cancer
Diabetes
Multiple sclerosis
Cerebral palsy
Mental health or behavior issues
You can also schedule a consultation with me to see if Occupational Therapy is right for you.