Tracy Said:

What is the difference between Occupational and physical therapy?

We Answered:

Occupational therapy (OT) is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. OT gives people the "skills for the job of living" necessary for independent and satisfying lives. Services typically include:

Customized treatment programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities
Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations
Performance skills assessments and treatment
Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
Guidance to family members and caregivers

Physical Therapy (also known as physiotherapy) is an allied health profession concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and disability through physical means. It is based upon principles of medical science, and is generally held to be within the sphere of conventional (rather than alternative) medicine. Physiotherapy is practiced by physiotherapists (also known as physical therapists, e.g. in the United States), though aspects may also be practiced under supervised delegation by physiotherapy assistants or other health professionals.

Salvador Said:

what is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy?

We Answered:

Both fields focus on the recovery of a funcitonal impairment. The difference may vary between setting and practice. In the hospital setting, the "occupational functions" that are being recovered include self care activities such as restoring the ability of the patient to perform bathing, dressing, feeding, etc. Physical therapy will focus on mobility tasks such as getting out of bed, standing, walking etc.

In the oupatient setting, most "hand therapy" has become under the helm of the occupational therapists (as hand injuries are common occupational hazards...but they treat patients other than those injured on the job). They may also focus on elbow and shoulder, depending on the setting. They also focus on daily tasks such as reading, driving, managing a visual problem. They are concerned with the "occupation of life." Physical therapy, on the other hand, focuses are restoring function of the rest of the body including, shoulder, neck, back, hip, knee, foot/ankle. Walking and balance are also primary areas of focus.

Both fields are closely related and work closely together. Yet, each has is own code of ethics and separate licensing procedure.

Erin Said:

What is the difference between occupational and physical therapy?

We Answered:

Physical Therapy (PT): emphasizes the acquisition of basic motor skills necessary for functional mobility about the school environment as well as the physical capability for participating with peers during education and recess. Areas of focus for the school physical therapist include:

- Gross motor skills: activities that use large muscles

- Mobility skills: moving safely throughout the school environment, including entering and exiting the school bus

- Postural control and alignment needed to perform school activities and for increasing independence in life skills

Occupational therapy (OT): emphasizes the acquisition of or compensation for functional performance skills needed by students during their educational experience:

- Fine motor skills: small, finely coordinated hand movements

- Visual perceptual skills: the ability to understand and interpret what is seen

- Visual motor skills: the ability to coordinate visual skills and motor skills

- Self care skills: feeding, dressing, hygiene, and toileting skills for increasing independence in necessary life skills

Both physical and occupational therapists may address the following areas:

- Strength and endurance

- Body awareness

- Classroom positioning and adaptations

- Sensory motor skills necessary for participation in an educational program


Physical therapists and occupational therapists have similar training. Occupational therapists receive more training in oral and hand skill interventions and physical therapists receive more training gross motor and postural development.