Physical Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy

You have knee pain and struggle to go up and down the stairs. Or maybe your carpal tunnel syndrome makes it difficult to use your computer mouse at work. A physical therapist or occupational therapist can help treat and prevent these injuries. But you may not know which type of therapist you need.

Physical therapists and occupational therapists share similar goals. They can help you restore your physical abilities, decrease pain, and improve mobility with a plan specific to your needs. But it’s important to see a therapist with the right kind of training to help you heal and thrive after an injury or medical condition. 

Read on to learn the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy.

What is physical therapy (PT)?

Physical therapy (PT) is a type of rehabilitation to treat or prevent an injury. It uses tools like special exercises, hands-on treatment, and other techniques. The goal is to improve your mobility and function. 

In PT, a licensed physical therapist will:

• Assess your medical history and current level of ability.

• Discuss your goals.

• Develop a customized treatment plan.

Your treatment plan will focus on improving range of motion, strengthening muscles, and minimizing pain. For example, after shoulder surgery, you may do resistance band exercises to strengthen your rotator cuff. You may also do stretches using a towel or wand to improve your range of motion. 

For those with low back pain, treatment might consist of exercises to strengthen your core and abs. Your physical therapist may also use manual massage, trigger point release, or TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) to decrease pain. After a knee or hip replacement, a PT will focus on gait training to help you learn the proper movement patterns to walk with your new joint.

Depending on your condition, you may see a physical therapist who specializes in a particular field to meet your needs. Examples of PT specialties include:

• Heart and lungs

• Geriatrics (older adults)

• Orthopedics (bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments)

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When should you get help from a physical therapist?

Look for a physical therapist for conditions or symptoms such as: 

• Joint pain, stiffness, or weakness

• Low back or neck pain

• Recovery after surgery

• Injuries to your bones, muscles, or tendons

• Rehab after joint replacement

• Pain after pregnancy

• Pelvic floor issues

• Neurological and degenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease

What is occupational therapy (OT)?

Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on developing new skills or adapting your environment to help you perform day-to-day activities. An occupational therapist can help you get your function back after an injury or illness. Or they can help you make changes to your home to accommodate a permanent disability.

OT can include:

• Practicing physical exercises to make going about your day easier

• Learning how to use assistive devices like splints or a wheelchair

• Teaching your family and friends how they can support you

A licensed occupational therapist might show you how to bathe, groom, and feed yourself after an injury or condition that makes it difficult to do these things. The goal is to help you perform personal responsibilities, self-care, and workplace tasks as independently as possible. 

Occupational therapists might also assess your home and recommend devices to make it easier for you to do daily activities or prevent falls. For example, someone who had a stroke may need adaptive tools — such as a raised toilet seat or button hook and zipper pull — to help them use the toilet and get dressed independently.

As with PT, you may see an OT that specializes in a particular field. Examples include: 

• Hand therapy

• Pediatrics (infants, children, and teens)

• Disability rehabilitation

Which conditions can occupational therapy help treat?

OT can help treat and manage many conditions that affect your daily life, including:

• Work-related hand injuries (carpal tunnel, tendonitis, trigger finger)

• Recovery after surgery on your hand, wrist, or elbow 

• Finger injuries, including tendon ruptures and fractures

• Lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling in your arms or legs

• Arthritis

• Therapy and caregiver training after a stroke

• Developmental disabilities like autism or Down syndrome

• Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease

Similarities between PT and OT

Though PT and OT may address different concerns, there is some overlap between the two therapies: 

• Licensed professionals: Both PTs and OTs are professional healthcare providers who must be licensed in the state where they practice.

• Assessment: PT and OT begin with a thorough evaluation to understand your needs. They will check factors like your range of motion, muscle strength, and pain level. This helps PTs and OTs develop customized care plans.

• Therapeutic exercises: The therapies may involve similar exercises, like strengthening, stretching, cardio, and balance training to help improve your condition. 

• Hands-on care: You can expect to receive hands-on care –– like massage, trigger point release, and range of motion activities –– in both therapies.

• Goal setting: Both PTs and OTs will work with you and other healthcare professionals, such as your doctor, surgeon, and even each other, to help you meet your goals.

• Conditions: Some conditions –– such as stroke and shoulder or spinal cord injuries –– can be treated by both a PT and OT, depending on the treatment goal.

Both physical and occupational therapists might provide prosthetic and orthotic care. They can help people learn to use artificial limbs (prosthetics). They can also help you learn to use assistive devices like leg braces or shoe inserts (orthotics). 

Does your health insurance cover physical and occupational therapy?

Whether you have private insurance, workers’ compensation, or Medicare, most insurance plans will cover these therapy services. But the amount they cover can vary depending on your plan. It’s a good idea to call your insurance provider and ask them the following questions:

• Do I need a referral from a healthcare provider? 

• How many visits will you cover?

• Will you cover my specific condition?

• How much will I have to pay out of pocket?

• Do I have to see an in-network therapist? If so, can you share a list of providers?

Make sure to specify whether you are asking about PT or OT, as coverage may vary based on the type of care.

If you want to see a therapist your health plan doesn’t cover, ask about your out-of-network options. With this option, you may need to cover a higher percentage of your costs. 

If your insurance doesn’t cover PT or OT, you will be responsible for the full cost. Your costs will be similar if you don’t have insurance. Talk to your therapist about a home exercise program to save on costs. 

How to find PT and OT therapists online

There are several ways to search for physical and occupational therapists online. If you want to use your health insurance, you can search your health plan’s provider directory online.

The American Physical Therapist Association has an online search tool. For occupational therapy, you can Google “occupational therapists near me.” 

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Written by:

Kim Grundy, PT

Kim Grundy, PT, is a writer, editor, and licensed physical therapist. She worked at an outpatient orthopedic facility, where she treated patients with chronic conditions and post-surgical athletes working towards recovery.

Edited by:

Lauren Savage, MA

Lauren Savage, MA, is a health editor at GoodRx, where she focuses on movement, exercise, and healthy aging. She aims to provide readers with the information they need to live healthier, more active lifestyles.

Reviewed by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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