Occupational therapy and physical therapy are both worthy professions to pursue, but it’s crucial to know the differences between the two before selecting which is the best healthcare career route for you. The major distinction between occupational therapy and physical therapy is that OT focuses on increasing a client’s capacity to conduct daily activities, whereas PT focuses on improving a client’s ability to perform a human body action.
We’ll go through all of the responsibilities of each to help you decide if OT or PT is the correct career path for you. After that, we’ll discuss the fields’ distinctions and similarities, as well as why St. Catherine University’s Online Occupational Therapy Assistant program is a terrific way to get started in the rewarding area of occupational therapy. Similarities and differences: Occupational and physical therapy are two different types of therapy.
Occupational Therapists: What Do They Do?
Occupational therapists are special in that they treat the full individual rather than just one problem. Occupational therapists (OTs) assist persons who are recuperating from injuries or who have developmental or cognitive problems that affect their motor skills, emotions, or behavior.
Occupational therapy, according to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), takes a comprehensive approach to look at not only the causes for a client’s decreased engagement in activities but also the client’s responsibilities and environment.
The strategy is divided into three parts:
- Promotion of health and wellness
- Rehabilitation
- Habilitation
This strategy tries to promote happiness in all aspects of a person’s life, including social, physical, emotional, and vocational well-being.
What are the responsibilities of physical therapists?
A physical therapist, on the other hand, treats the patient’s actual handicap from a biomechanical standpoint. Physical therapy tries to enhance mobility, align bones and joints, and relieve discomfort in order to alleviate the impairment.
With exercises, massage, and other approaches, a physical therapist’s primary purpose is to avoid injuries or get their patients back in action. They are aimed at preventing injuries and can help patients avoid surgery or long-term pharmaceutical use. Although this technique is vital and can lead to delightful activities, the primary goal of a physical therapist is to treat an injury rather than the entire patient. Similarities Between OT and PT, there’s a lot to consider.
Physical therapy and occupational therapy, according to Healthline, both strive to improve your overall functionality, quality of life, and understanding of how to maintain your health and well-being. Both types of treatment offer hands-on care that is targeted to the patient’s specific needs, as well as goal-setting to track clients’ progress and determine how to reach their objectives.
It’s possible that some of the jobs will overlap. Occupational therapists, for example, may offer stretches or exercises Physical therapists may concentrate on motions to help with everyday tasks such as getting in and out of the tub, to learn more click here
Occupational Therapy: 5 Reasons to Choose It
Occupational therapy is more than a “work” – it’s a gratifying career with numerous advantages. Here are five examples:
- Over-the-air television (OTAs) Working with a Wide Range of Clients
As an occupational therapist or occupational therapist assistant, you will have the opportunity to work with people from various walks of life and provide tailored therapies based on their interests and requirements. This means you may encounter adults, children, and elders on the same day. You’ll be using a range of various techniques of care with each, so you’re not going to grow bored on the job.
- OTAs work to improve people’s lives
Becoming an occupational therapist will not only alter your life but will also change the lives of others.
- OTAs are self-sufficient – and innovative.
You have the option to bring whatever you want under the supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist. whatever creativity and insight you believe will provide the most value to your patients as an occupational therapy assistant (OTR). Your patients will frequently be unable to adjust to a given plan or difficulty. It’s up to you to figure out how to assist them in adapting.
A career in occupational therapy may be the appropriate fit for you if you enjoy seeing your work progress from beginning to end. OTAs not only assist persons in leading independent, productive, and satisfying lives, but they also track their patients’ progress.
- OTAs Work in a Wide Range of Workplace Situations
You won’t be stuck in one place all day, either. You can take them to varied environments as part of their therapy plan, just as you will be working with a variety of people.
Occupational therapists may take a child client to a park to practice balance with other children his or her age.
Instead of taking a child to a traditional rehabilitation center to learn balance and improve range of motion and strength, you may take them to a park, where they can interact with other children their age who may not have the same limitations. This will assist your patient in communicating with others and learning while having fun.
- OTAs have the option of specializing.
As an occupational therapist, you might specialize in a variety of fields. And, at St. Catherine University, our core curriculum will allow you to explore the depths of each one.
You will have the option to specialize in one of the six major practice areas of OT after completing the eight scheduled skills labs, 720 hours of fieldwork, and passing the NBCOT Exam.