What is the difference between Occupational and physical therapy?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

I would agree with everything Hina said, but would also add...

Occupational Therapists...
...help people to learn to be independent with daily tasks such as eating, bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, driving, etc, etc, etc
...work "primarily" with deficits impacting the arms (such as shoulder injuries, elbow injuries, hand and wrist injuries) They always treat the whole person (mind, body, and spirit) but are more specialized in the intricacies of the upper body

Physical Therapists...
...help people to learn gross motor tasks, such as walking and maintaining balance, after an illness or injury.
...work "primarily" with deficits impacting the legs (hips, knees, ankles). Like OT, PT treats the whole person, but they are more specialized in the intricacies of the lower body.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Physical therapy is training or retraining the body to coordinate and move.
Occupational therapy is training a disabled person to do certain tasks, such as brushing teeth, bathing, and cooking.

Answer 4

OT and PT