Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy: Job Outlooks, Salary, Programs, Schools

Most times, students who want to pursue a career in rehabilitative care get confused about what to choose between physical therapy and occupational therapy. Although these two therapies help patients with injuries or disabilities that limit how they’re able to move and function in daily life, they are also distinct from each other.

So, here is what you need to know in the occupational therapy vs physical therapy debate.

Basically, the two therapies do vital hands-on rehabilitative work to improve or prevent the worsening of your condition or quality of life due to an injury, surgery, or illness.

In fact, the roles of the occupational therapist and the physical therapist often overlap and can also be needed for the same patient. For instance, a patient may start with a physical therapist and progress to an occupational therapist.

Here is an example, someone recovering from a severe stroke might work with a physical therapist to build back muscle strength. Then, move on to see an occupational therapist to practice basic skills the stroke may have impaired such as bathing, dressing, eating, and walking.

However, despite their similarities and overlapping functions, they differ in their own unique ways.

So, this article on occupational therapy vs physical therapy has been written in a bid to give you a better understanding of these therapies. Here, you get to what therapists in the two professions do, the similarities and differences between an occupational therapist and a physical therapist.

You also get to know their job outlooks, salaries, where they work and when you will need either of the therapies.

Here is a table of what to expect:

Before we go on, let’s get an overview of the occupational therapy and physical therapy.

What Is An Occupational Therapy (OT)?

Occupational therapy is a client-centered allied health profession that uses assessment and intervention to develop, recover, or maintain the significant activities, or occupations, of individuals, groups, or communities. In other words, its focus is on promoting health and well-being through occupation.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), OT is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations).

An occupation here refers to the everyday activities that people do as individuals, in families, and with communities to occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life. It includes things people need to, want to, and are expected to do.

Who Is An Occupational Therapist?

According to Wikipedia, an occupational therapist (OT) is a health care professional who uses evidence-based practice, research, scientific evidence, and a holistic perspective to promote independence, meaningful occupations, and the patient’s functional ability to achieve daily routines/roles of choice. 

To be more precise, the occupational therapist treats the whole person.

That is, whether they’re recovering from injuries or have developmental or cognitive disabilities affecting their motor skills, emotions, or behavior, OTs are helping people to fully engage in daily life.

In other words, they treat people with injury, illness, disability, or psychological dysfunction through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.

What Is Physical Therapy (PT)?

Also known as physiotherapy, Physical Therapy is a paramedical profession that uses force and mechanical movement (biomechanics or kinesiology), manual therapy, exercise therapy, and electrotherapy to solve deficiencies and enhance mobility and function.

Physical therapy tries to improve the impairment itself by increasing mobility, aligning bones and joints, or lessening pain.

According to APTA, physical therapists are movement experts who improve quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.

A physical therapist treats the patient’s actual impairment from a biomechanical perspective.

In fact, PT’s primary goal is to get their patients back in motion with exercises, massage, and other techniques.

From the definition above, you will notice some overlapping functions between these two therapies.

Now, lets compare their functions.

What Are The Similarities Between Occupational Therapy And Physical Therapy?

Irrespective of the distinctions between these two forms of rehabilitative care, occupational therapy, and physical therapy are both similar in some ways.

The similarities between the OT and PT include but not limited to:

Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy: What Are The Difference Between Two?

One major difference in the occupational therapy vs physical therapy debate is that OT focuses on improving a client’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) while the PT focuses on improving a client’s ability to perform movements of the human body.

#1 Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy – Job/Duties

Physical Therapists work primarily with people recovering from injuries. Their goal is to get patients back in motion with exercises, massage, and other techniques.

The focus of physical therapy is on preventing injuries, and it can also help people avoid surgery or long-term reliance on medications.

What Do Physical Therapists Do?

The duties of the physical therapist include:

On the other hand, occupational therapy helps patients perform day-to-day tasks, whether they’re recovering from injuries or have developmental or cognitive disabilities affecting their motor skills, emotions, or behavior.

In fact, there’s a strong emphasis on the practical aspects of helping people do the things they want and need to do so they can live life to the fullest.

What Do Occupational Therapists Do?

The duties of the occupational therapist include:

#2 Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy – Education

Most practicing physical therapists hold a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which usually takes three years to complete. However, earning a master’s degree is necessary. A typical master’s degree in physical therapy program takes about two years.

It is also important to note that both the DPT and the master’s programs require an undergraduate degree.

Meanwhile, occupational therapists need at least a master’s degree to practice (two years). Those who want to climb higher on the career ladder may decide to pursue a doctoral degree and this takes between two and three years.

#3 Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy – Licensing/Certification

Basically, you must be licensed to practise as a Physical therapist. However, to sit for the National Physical Therapist Examination, you have to be a graduate of an accredited physical therapy school.

For OT, licensing laws vary by state but common requirements include graduating from an accredited occupational therapy school, meeting fieldwork requirements, and passing a national certification exam.

#4 Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy – Work Place

Usually, physical therapy happens in a PT’s office.

However in some occasion, physical therapy can take place in:

On the other hand, some occupational therapy might happen in a hospital or OT’s office, but a key component occurs in a patient’s home or work environment.

Other places where you receive occupational therapy include:

#5 Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy – When Therapy Is Needed

Basically an occupational therapy may be recommended when a condition or illness affects your ability to do various day-to-day tasks.

Below are some examples of conditions that OT may be used:

However, physical therapy is often recommended when a condition affects your movement or range of motion.

Conditions where PT can be used include:

#6 Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy – What Type Of Therapy To Expect

For PT, the type of therapy you’ll receive as a patient will be tailored to your specific needs. First of all, the physical therapist will carefully review your medical history and current health condition to develop a plan and goals for your therapy.

Basically, Physical therapists use a variety of techniques for the patients, such as:

Just like physical therapy, the occupational therapist here reviews the patient’s medical history and condition to determine what his/her needs are. Then, using this information, the OT develops a therapy plan and set specific goals.

However, things that will be involved in the occupational therapy can include any of the following:

#7 Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy – Job Outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the employment of occupational therapists is expected to grow 18 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The statistics go further to explain that occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb.

Still from the report, the employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 22 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

This demand for physical therapy is expected to come from aging baby boomers, who are not only staying active later in life but are susceptible to health conditions, such as strokes, that may require physical therapy.

Furthermore, physical therapists will be needed to treat people with mobility issues stemming from chronic conditions, such as diabetes or obesity.

#8 Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy – Pay/Salary

As of May 2019, the report of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics says that occupational therapists earn $84,950 per year that is, $40.84 per hour.

However, from Glassdoor’s report, an occupational therapist earns $80,782/yr.

In contrast, BLS reports that physical therapists earn $89,440 per year that is, $43.00 per hour.

Which Schools Are The Best For Physical therapy In The USA?

Here is a list of some of the schools that offer the best physical therapy programs in the USA. Do well to click on each of them for more information on the program.

What Are The Best Schools For Occupational Therapy?

Below is a list of the best universities that offer occupational therapy programs. Also, click on each of the schools for information on their OT programs.

Which Therapy Should You Choose As A Patient?

The question here is, “how do you know which type of therapy is right for you?” This depends majorly on your condition and your specific needs.

For instance, if you have a condition that’s affecting your ability to walk or move a body part without pain, then, you may want to consider a physical therapist.

Physical Therapists can work with you to reduce pain, improve your mobility, strength, and range of motion through targeted exercises, stretches, and other methods.

However, if you find out that you’re having a hard time performing daily tasks, such as picking up objects or getting dressed. Then, working with an occupational therapist could help improve the motor skills needed for these specific tasks.

Notwithstanding, it’s important that you talk to your doctor about the type of therapy that’s right for you. They will advise you on the benefits of each therapy, and which one is right for your specific needs.

Which Is Better Between Occupational Therapy And Physical Therapy?

Generally, these two therapies are unique and distinct to each other. However, knowing what to pursue depends on your individual and career goals.

If you want to help lessen people’s pain, then you can go for PT. However, if you want to see people do what they usually do themselves after an injury then, becoming an OT can fit in.

Furthermore, if you want to do you job and also earn more, you can compare the salaries of the two therapies and go for the higher on.

FAQs On Occupational Therapy vs Physical Therapy

Occupational therapy is a client-centered allied health profession that uses assessment and intervention to develop, recover, or maintain the significant activities, or occupations, of individuals, groups, or communities.

Also known as physiotherapy, Physical Therapy is a paramedical profession that uses force and mechanical movement (biomechanics or kinesiology), manual therapy, exercise therapy, and electrotherapy to solve deficiencies and enhance mobility and function.

According to Wikipedia, an occupational therapist (OT) is a health care professional who uses evidence-based practice, research, scientific evidence, and a holistic perspective to promote independence, meaningful occupations, and the patient’s functional ability to achieve daily routines/roles of choice.

Physical therapists (PTs) are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.

The similarities between an OT and a PT include:

1. Both physical and occupational therapies educate people on how to prevent and avoid injuries. They both aim to improve your overall functioning, quality of life, and knowledge about how to maintain your health and well-being.
2. Both OT and PT provide hands-on care that’s tailored to the patient’s specific needs.
3. Both therapies may be recommended for the same health conditions.
4. There can be some overlap in the tasks performed. For instance, occupational therapists may also teach stretches or exercises while physical therapists may work on movements to help with daily activities, such as getting in and out of the tub.
5. Both types of therapy set goals and assess your progress as you work to achieve them.

As of May 2019, the report of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics says that occupational therapists earn $84,950 per year that is, $40.84 per hour.

In contrast, BLS reports that physical therapists earn $89,440 per year that is, $43.00 per hour.

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the employment of occupational therapists is expected to grow 18 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Still from the report, the employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 22 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Usually, physical therapy happens in a PT’s office. On the other hand, some occupational therapy might happen in a hospital or OT’s office, but a key component occurs in a patient’s home or work environment.

Basically an occupational therapy may be recommended when a condition or illness affects your ability to do various day-to-day tasks. However, physical therapy is often recommended when a condition affects your movement or range of motion.

Conclusion

Both physical therapy and occupational therapy are types of rehabilitative care. However, despite the fact that they both treat similar conditions and also tend to have overlapping functions, they have their differences.

For example, while the goal of the physical therapist is to restore or improve movement, strength, and range of motion. The occupational therapist focuses on enhancing the motor skills you need to perform daily tasks.

Nevertheless, the type of therapy one needs depends on his/her specific condition and individual needs.

In addition, knowing your career and individual goals will help you decide on what is better for you between the OT and PT as someone who wants to pursue a career in rehabilitative care.

I hope this article helps you in your decision making.

Good Luck And Success!!!

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