What is the difference between a physical therapist and an occupational therapis!


Question: What is the difference between a physical therapist and an occupational therapist!?
How does an injury determine which therapist you will be using!?Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
I found it odd that an OT did crutch training as this is not within their practice guidelines (at least not in my state)!.!.!.

Anyway, it will depend on they type of facility and the policies of that type of facility!.

In our clinic, PTs see all injuries except those related to the hand and elbow!. However, those with pain in their elbow and hand as related to the neck, will also be seen by a PT!. If someone has shoulder pain related to a stroke, we tend to give those to the OT, but the PT will see them for walking, balance, and lower extremity strength!.

It's a fine line in many cases!.!.!.at a privately owned clinic down the street from us, their OTs see all the shoulder related problems whereas at our clinic, the PTs see them!.

Generally speaking, if your deficits are related to gross motor skills: walking, squatting, throwing a ball, lifiting, etc, PT will be the caregiver!. If you need more fine motor training: ability to type, manipulate small objects, writing, etc, you will see an OTWww@Answer-Health@Com

Physical therapist is more concerned with the actual injury and getting your body moving again!.

OT's are more concerned with your quality of life, so look more at things that can help out at home, or what can be done to support you ect!. Equipment that can be used!. Physio's are generally just interested in the actual joint/muscle/injury etc!.

If a doc thinks you can get more movement out of an injuy, or will be able to walk better etc, then a physio, but if you need extra equipment or need home adjustments then it will be an OT!. You may be seeing both!.

For example!. I broke and dislocated my ankle in april this year, and I saw an OT to help me use the crutches when I left hospital, and they taught me to go up and down stairs, but I am now seeing a physio to get the ankle moving again and doing exercises!. I am in the Uk, so this may be different in other countries or areas!.

Often the 2 jobs overlap in many areas!.Www@Answer-Health@Com





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