What does an occupational therapist do, and how do they differ from a physical t!
Question: First, there are many similarities. Second, the differences will vary between a particular clinic and setting.
Both PT and OT are concerned with restoring function...helping people to do something better.
As mentioned above, OT is often concerned with helping people restore fine motor function. This is especially true of the hand. An OT may help someone to regain the ability to button a shirt, to manipulate small objects, etc. Yet, they are also concerned with more gross skills of daily living such as putting on a shirt or preparing a meal. They can look at a variety of contributing factors such as strength, balance and flexibility. OTs are also often involved in low vision programs...showing people who have impaired vision what they can do to increase their safety. They are also involved in driving programs. Pediatric OT often focuses on sensory impairments such as in sensory integration disorders.
PTs are similar in that they look at a variety of factors such as strength, balance and flexibility. Yet, PT does tend to be more focused towards gross motor function, walking, being able to stand up, get out of bed, sit comfortably, throw a ball etc. To say that "PT deals with the lower half of the body and OT with the upper half" is not entirely accurate. PTs see patients for shoulder related disorders such as rotator cuff injuries, etc...yet in some clinics this might be the job of an OT. PT is also the primary treater of those with neck and back pain.
In some cases, it's really difficult to explain without seeing the differences first hand. I suppose the best way to explain it is that OT is more task specific.
Answers: First, there are many similarities. Second, the differences will vary between a particular clinic and setting.
Both PT and OT are concerned with restoring function...helping people to do something better.
As mentioned above, OT is often concerned with helping people restore fine motor function. This is especially true of the hand. An OT may help someone to regain the ability to button a shirt, to manipulate small objects, etc. Yet, they are also concerned with more gross skills of daily living such as putting on a shirt or preparing a meal. They can look at a variety of contributing factors such as strength, balance and flexibility. OTs are also often involved in low vision programs...showing people who have impaired vision what they can do to increase their safety. They are also involved in driving programs. Pediatric OT often focuses on sensory impairments such as in sensory integration disorders.
PTs are similar in that they look at a variety of factors such as strength, balance and flexibility. Yet, PT does tend to be more focused towards gross motor function, walking, being able to stand up, get out of bed, sit comfortably, throw a ball etc. To say that "PT deals with the lower half of the body and OT with the upper half" is not entirely accurate. PTs see patients for shoulder related disorders such as rotator cuff injuries, etc...yet in some clinics this might be the job of an OT. PT is also the primary treater of those with neck and back pain.
In some cases, it's really difficult to explain without seeing the differences first hand. I suppose the best way to explain it is that OT is more task specific.
A physical therapist works with people with injuries trying to rehabilitate the body. An occupational therapist works with people to teach them how to do a new job.
Occupational therapists work with fine motor control while physical therapists work with large motor control. I learned this after an auto accident. An occupational therapist helped me with the knuckle on my little finger that was smashed, while the physical therapist helped me with the spinal injuries. They explained the difference to me.
A physical therapist works with ambulation, wound care, and is mainly concerned with the lower body. An occupational therapist works mostly with the upper body. Physical therapists work at building strength and endurance, balance,and ambulation. An occupational therapists works with fine motor skills and activities of daily living.
Ok well an occupational therapist helps you do your ADL's (activities of daily living) as a physical therapist helps get there basic motor skills.Here's a website to better describe there differences...Good luck and God Bless.
main difference---PT =large motor OT=fine motor