Occupational and physical therapy are health care professions that focus on restoring or maintaining functional independence, managing pain and chronic conditions, and preventing injury.
There are unique differences in the primary focus and how they achieve treatment goals. Looking at the details can help you determine your best career path.
What OT and PT Have In Common
Although occupational and physical therapy are unique and distinct professions, they have much in common.
Both professions evaluate and treat patients of all ages across their lifespans. They create and carry out treatment plans for people with injuries, disabilities, and other health conditions.
Occupational and physical therapy both focus on maintaining or restoring function, preventing and managing pain, managing chronic conditions, and preventing injury.
Additionally, both professions aim to educate family and other caregivers to support the patient best.
How Does OT Differ from PT
Physical therapy recognizes movement as an essential factor of life, and the primary goal of a physical therapist is to keep people moving.
Physical therapists evaluate and treat patients using manual therapy and therapeutic exercise as primary interventions. The median salary for physical therapists is $101,020 per year.
Job opportunities for physical therapists are expected to grow by 14% between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the national average.
Occupational therapy promotes health, well-being, and participation by focusing on what people want or need to do. Occupational therapists evaluate and treat patients using meaningful activities or "occupations" as primary interventions.
The median salary for occupational therapists is $98,340 per year. Job opportunities for occupational therapists are expected to grow by 11% between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the national average.
Going Deeper: 4 Key Differences
1. The Focus of Treatment
PT focuses on movement, while OT focuses on meaningful activity. Physical therapy prioritizes maintaining or restoring movement and managing pain.
Physical therapists help clients improve strength, range of motion, balance, and coordination, especially following illness, injury, and surgery.
Occupational therapy prioritizes participation in any meaningful activity that a person wants or needs to accomplish, including self-care, taking care of a family, working, going to school, and participating in leisure activities.
Occupational therapy takes a more holistically focused approach to evaluation and intervention. Occupational therapists look beyond the physical aspects of a person's health and consider mental and emotional health, cognitive ability, and executive functioning skills.
Executive functioning skills are mental skills, such as working memory and following directions. They are the skills that allow people to manage everyday life.
Additionally, occupational therapy places a unique focus on mental health. Occupational therapists use client-centered and evidence-based assessments and interventions to promote mental health in various settings and across the lifespan.
2. The Therapeutic Approach
Physical therapy primarily uses manual therapy, such as soft-tissue and joint mobilization, and therapeutic exercise as intervention.Occupational therapy primarily uses meaningful activity as an intervention.
Occupational therapy places a greater emphasis on functional activity than rote exercises. Both professions may use physical agent modalities, such as ice, heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and laser treatment, to facilitate healing, promote range of motion, and manage pain.
3. Real World Examples
An older adult who has suffered a stroke is an inpatient at a hospital and has left-sided weakness and mild cognitive impairment.
Physical therapy will primarily focus on transfers from sitting to standing, fall prevention, using equipment such as a walker or cane, safely practicing walking, preventing or restoring loss of joint mobility, and managing pain.
Occupational therapy will primarily focus on participating in meaningful activities, such as activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, eating, toileting, hygiene), hand and arm coordination to hold eating utensils, personal care items, and handrails, and cognitive skills such as following directions and managing routines.
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An elementary school child with a physical disability, which includes difficulty with overall strength, balance, and coordination.
Physical therapy will focus on helping the child navigate the physical environment at school, such as getting on and off the bus, walking or using a wheelchair inside the school, using playground equipment, and safely using stairs or ramps inside and outside the building.
Occupational therapy will focus on fine motor skills, hand and arm strength, and coordination to support the child with opening containers and food packaging, using pencils, markers, scissors, and keyboards, and managing clothing, such as coats, while at school.
Education and Licensure
To practice physical therapy, you must earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited program and pass a state licensure examination.
Most DPT programs require applicants to earn a bachelor's degree before admission. Programs typically last three years, including classroom, lab, and clinical study.
To practice occupational therapy, you must earn a master's degree or a professional doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) and pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination.
Admissions to most master's or doctorate programs require applicants to earn a bachelor's degree before admission, although some programs accept applicants while the bachelor's is in progress.
The length of both programs is typically two to three years. Doctoral degree programs focus more on research and leadership skills, in-depth clinical practice, and knowledge of occupational therapy theory.
Do Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists Work Together
Yes, OTs and PTs frequently work together and collaborate across practice settings.
Although they each have a unique approach to evaluation and intervention, there is a lot of crossover. For example, both professions focus on fall prevention, safety, and overall strength and coordination.
OT and PT use physical agent modalities and adaptive equipment and recommend environmental modifications. Lastly, both professions aim to achieve the goal of quality of life through maximizing client independence.
Which Career Path is Right for You
Both career paths offer a strong job outlook, fulfilling work, and an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives across various settings.
PT might be your best choice if you're passionate about movement science and rehabilitation. OT might be perfect if you enjoy problem-solving and promoting independence through meaningful activities.
Occupational and physical therapy are health care professions that focus on helping people achieve or maintain independence and manage pain and chronic conditions.
Understanding the key differences between the two can help prospective students and professionals making a career transition determine the best path based on their interests, strengths, and passion for helping people live their best lives.
