How is Physical Therapy different from Occupational Therapy?

Many get confused as to how Physical Therapy is different from Occupational Therapy. Many get referred for rehabilitation after an injury and may get to work with a physical therapist and/or an occupational therapist without the slightest hint as to how these two professions differ. As mentioned in a previous blog, the New York State Education Office of the Professions (NYSED OP) describes a Physical Therapist as “a licensed health care professional who examines and evaluates a patient’s condition and then plans and administers treatments to promote optimal health. Physical therapists seek to relieve pain, improve the body’s movement and function, maintain cardiopulmonary function, restore, maintain and promote optimal physical function; and limit disabilities resulting from injury or disease”. On the other hand, the NYSED OP defines an Occupational Therapists as “a licensed rehabilitation care professional who works to restore or improve physical abilities, promote behavioral changes, adapt surroundings, and teach new skills; the goal is to have the individual achieve her or his best physical and/or mental functioning in daily life tasks”. A simple way to look at it would be that a physical therapist focuses on the remediation of physical impairments and improving mobility, functional ability, and an individual’s quality of life. Whereas an occupational therapist focuses on improving an individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living and resuming pre-impairment occupational skills.  

 Another difference is that physical therapists earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited 3-year program and pass a national licensing exam (NPTE). In New York, you must have a master’s or higher degree in physical therapy to meet the professional education requirement for licensure. The entry-level requirement might be a doctoral degree in a few years. Whereas physical therapists graduate with a DPT, occupational therapists earn a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) from a typically 2-year program and also pass a national licensing exam for occupational therapists. Currently, a doctoral degree is not required in order to practice occupational therapy. However those who are interested in OT research, policy or education careers may want to consider the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) which is also a 3-year program.

Despite the differences, physical and occupational therapists are crucial members of the rehabilitation team. They work together to ensure an individual’s independence during daily activities, maximize an individual’s function, and allow a person to continue being active members of the community. If you have a disability or impairment that limits your independence in daily tasks, or may know someone who may benefit from any of these professional services, consult your doctor and seek a referral.