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153 94, Warwick, NY 10990, USA
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Clinic Hours:

Monday: 8:00pm – 8:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00pm – 8:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: 7:00am – 8:00pm
Thursday: 7:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-12:00pm

What is the difference between OT and PT


 

There is often confusion about the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy, and for good reason. The two practices are similar in many ways and have a lot of overlap between fields.

Main difference, in a nutshell

The main difference to recognize between the two therapies is this: while occupational therapy strives to help people live as independently as possible, the goal of physical therapy is to assist an individual with pain relief and restoring motion and mobility. So how do you decide which is right for you?

In a general sense, people are more familiar with physical therapy than with occupational therapy. The reason for this is simple. While physical therapy is applicable to anyone after an injury or with a long-term health problem, occupational therapy is intended for individuals with long-term mental and/or physical impairments, or for those who have just experienced sudden health conditions like a stroke. This is where people get confused.

OT vs PT: an example of their differences

One of the simplest ways to look at it is by considering a patient with chronic back pain. Does someone with chronic back pain go to an occupational therapist or a physical therapist?

The answer is that it depends on their goals. Is that individual trying to relieve their pain and restore motion, or is their focus on being able to live a relatively normal life with little or no assistance?

While a physical therapist can help with pain relief, an occupational therapist is trained to go a step further. Occupational therapists are trained to help people find new ways and new tools to do challenging things in a new way. But modifying a physical environment to suit the needs of an individual is just one of the things that an occupational therapist does.

OT can help with more than physical environment and movement

Occupational therapists are also trained to help people with mood disorders, personality disorders or drug addictions, to manage money, keep a daily planner and build social skills, in order to increase participation in a community and/or help organize their life in a helpful way. Although physical and occupational therapy seem so similar, they are really important separately in order to make a world of difference.

Did you know that in many cases you don’t need a prescription to get help from a physical or occupational therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. See our ACCESS PT locations to find a physical or occupational therapist near you.

 

Reach Out for Expert Physical Therapy and Get Back to Your Active Lifestyle!