What are the key differences?
Physical therapy and occupational therapy are two types of rehabilitative care. The goal of rehabilitative care is to improve or prevent the worsening of your condition or quality of life due to an injury, surgery, or illness.
Physical
Improving or restoring movement, strength, and range of motion
Decreasing pain
Preventing your condition from getting worse
Educating you on ways to maintain your overall fitness and functionality
Occupational
Maximize your ability to safely and effectively perform various daily tasks
Promote independence and productivity
Educate caregivers on how to help someone who is undergoing OT
When is physical therapy needed?
PT is often recommended when a condition affects your movement or range of motion. PT can be used for:
Improving mobility after an injury
Recovery following a surgical procedure
Pain management
Joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis
Hand conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger
Urinary incontinence
Lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis
Heart conditions, such as heart failure and recovery after a heart attack
Cancer
When is occupational therapy needed?
OT may be recommended when a condition or illness affects your ability to do various day-to-day tasks. Some examples of conditions that OT may be used for include:
Recovery from an injury or surgery
Pain management
Neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or recovery from a stroke
Joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Hand conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger
Developmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disorders, and intellectual disabilities
Psychological conditions, such as depression and anxiety
Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
Which therapy to choose?
If you have a condition that’s affecting your ability to walk or move a body part without pain, you may want to consider Yeti Home Healthcare. We can work with you to reduce pain, improve your mobility, strength, and range of motion through targeted exercises, stretches, and other methods.
Or maybe you’ve noticed that you’re having a hard time performing daily tasks, such as picking up objects or getting dressed. In this case, working with an Yeti could help improve the motor skills needed for these specific tasks.
