If you suffer from muscle pain or injury, then you have to consider rehabilitative care. Occupational therapy and physical therapy are the types of rehabilitative care that can help you get rid of pain. The aim of these therapies is to prevent the worsening of your condition and offer a better quality of life.    

In this section, we will give you brief detail about both types of therapies and the differences between PT and OT. It will assist you to understand both therapies and help you to choose the perfect therapy according to requirements.

Occupational therapy:

Occupational therapy is a part of healthcare that assists individuals of all ages who have a cognitive, sensory or physical issue. This therapy can assist to regain independence, boost their self-esteem, improve the sense of accomplishment and improve health. OT can help children, adults, and elderly people treat chronic conditions. 

An occupational therapy is suggested by doctors when illness or condition affects a patient’s abilities to perform daily tasks. Some conditions are given below in which occupational therapy may be used:

Ø  Joint conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Ø  Development conditions such as intellectual disabilities, learning disorders, autism spectrum and disorder (ASD)

Ø  Hand conditions, such as trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome 

Ø  Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease

Ø  Psychological conditions, such as anxiety and depression 

Ø  Pain management

Ø  Recovery from surgery or injury

Aim of occupational therapy

Ø  Increase your patient’s abilities to effectively and safely complete different daily works

Ø  Boost productivity and increase the independence

Ø  Improve the quality of life and offer healthy life

OT assists with:

Ø  Thinking skills

Ø  Visual perceptual skills

Ø  Sensory processing issues

Ø  Fine motor skills (movement of small muscle made with fingers, hands, and toes)

Ø  Occupational therapy is provided in various settings such as rehabilitation centers, hospitals, mental health faculties, schools, children’s clinics, private practices, etc.    

Physical therapy: 

Physical therapy is used to enhance the patient’s abilities to do a movement of the human body. The main goal of physical therapy is to improve the overall functioning of the human body and improve the quality of life. A physical therapy suggested by doctors when a condition affects a patient’s range of motion or movement. Some conditions in which physical therapy can be used are:

Ø  Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and healing after a stroke

Ø  Pain management

Ø  Enhancing mobility after an injury

Ø  Joint conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis

Ø  Urinary incontinence

Ø  Heart conditions like heart attack

Ø  Hand condition like trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome

Different types of techniques used in Physical therapy 

Ø  Electrical stimulation

Ø  Massage

Ø  Ultrasound

Ø  Application of hot and cold

Ø  Hands-on manipulation

Ø  Stretching

Ø  Targeted exercises

Aim of Physical therapy:

Ø  Assist you to maintain the functionality of your body

Ø  Preventing your condition from getting worse

Ø  Reduce pain

Ø  Restore and improve the movement, range of motion, and strength

PT helps with:

Ø  Joint range of motion

Ø  Endurance

Ø  Strength

Ø  Pain

Ø  Mobility

Ø  Gross motor skills (movement of big muscle made with feet, legs, arms, or all body)

You can receive physical therapy from different places such as fitness centers, schools, home health agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, etc.  

Choose suitable therapy according to your requirements

The benefits of both therapies are almost the same. There is often confusion about the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy. While both therapies are similar in different ways, there are also key differences. Physical therapy focuses on assisting to enhance your mobility, movement, and function of the body. On other hand, occupational therapy focuses on assisting to do day-by-day work without any difficulties. 

If you are facing difficulties completing your daily tasks due to pain or injury, you can take the help of occupational therapy. In another case, if you are facing issues with a range of motion or movement due to muscle injury, you can take the help of physical therapy. But before choosing any therapy from OT and PT, please consult with your doctor. They can help you with the right treatment after analyzing your condition.