The difference between PT and OT and why OT is more important

[@cjbenn4]

This is THEE best explanation of OT I HAVE EVER SEEN

[@otfocus]

Haha. Thanks!

[@marklukens273]

I totally agree. I always wanted to be a PT while growing up because that’s all I knew of. But until I shadowed OT I realized how awesome it was. It wasn’t just working on just walking. It was working on helping patients live their lives. Which I see as more meaningful. I also shadowed an SLP. I can say an OT can do what a PT/SLP can do. A PT can not do what an OT/SLP does. An SLP can not do what an OT/PT does. But an OT can dabble in both of them. Which made me want to pursue this field.

[@otfocus]

I totally agree. I didn't realize that until I started working. Unfortunately, only a few people actually know that.

[@otfocus]

You're right. OT really does it all.

[@occupationaltherapy1737]

very true an occupational therapist ensures that the client is independent and can perform their daily activities by themselves ....while the physical therapy helps the client to perform an activity

[@brigittealexander1967]

I am doing my masters in Speech pathology and it is highly specialized. Please don’t think you can dabble in SLP. We do look at people’s occupation’s because people have to communicate. It is a difficult course. We are a team. I had long COVID and the speech pathologist was my life line. All allied health professionals are equally important

[@eastwingathletics]

Very well said. Until I watched this video I was convinced I was the only one thinking this way. Im currently in a OTD program with aspirations of getting into the athletic training realm.

[@otfocus]

Thanks for sharing! I say go for it!

[@Spengas]

I met a girl that is doing OT. I didn't even know what it was. This video helped explain a lot. I broke my shoulder and I went to PT. It helped but I feel as if an OT could have helped me better with my specific work situation that is demanding and how it was causing me pain.

[@otfocus]

You’re exactly right. OT focuses more on your everyday activities but some of us are more specialized with the upper extremity than PT.

[@laupeter4594]

I agree. OTs can do all that the PTs do and even more than that in order to enable the patient to achieve what they need. The only difference that PT do better is that they quantify the patients performance. OT sell themselves short because ADLs are seen as lower grade living ability. I agree that athletic performance should be an OT domain because sports performance arent just about the physical side

[@occupationaltherapy1737]

very true

[@danielabrahams4758]

I am a final-year physical therapy student in Israel. In all of my courses and internships-whether in hospitals, child development, or rehabilitation-the therapy goals are focused on function and participation. The aim is not to improve range of motion, strength, or balance in isolation, but rather to enable the patient to perform daily activities independently, especially in cases of deficits in the motor system. This is why most of the research and exercises we use are based on function and participation. For example, in the case of an older woman who has undergone a total knee replacement (TKR) and wants to resume her evening walks, part of my assessment will involve gathering detailed information about the environment in which she typically walks-whether it's on flat ground or a slope, the type of surface (pavement, gravel), whether there are other people or obstacles in her path, the distance, and whether it's dark or well-lit. All of these environment- functional and participation-related factors are combined with a thorough objective evaluation and the patient's medical background, and we then design an appropriate treatment plan. The exercises are designed based on the principles of motor learning, tailored to the specific functional goal and the physical capabilities required to perform the task. The exercises are adjusted according to the patient’s current physical condition, with the aim of gradually progressing toward the functional goal. Towards the end of the rehabilitation process, the exercise could very well be the actual walking routine along the path she typically uses, incorporating all the necessary components. This will help build the patient's confidence and ensure they are able to perform the activity/participation independently and safely, without supervision.

[@otfocus]

Thanks for sharing. There’s a lot more emphasis on function in physical therapy. I feel like both disciplines are so closely related.

[@MarioGonzalez-lm7tb]

How do or do clinical AT even fit into a team with a OT or PT?

[@winsomechow71]

so curious to hear your thoughts of recreational therapists! I feel like there's a lot of overlap in these 2 fields, but rec therapists get less recognition because we're seen as the 'play' person when in reality we could dip our toes into OT/PT and help you find a purpose or reason to do a program, or find a meaningful activity that'll encourage one to continue therapy

[@otfocus]

That's a good point. I guess I haven't talked much about it because I don't know that much about recreational therapists. Let me do some more research on this. I think there is a lot of overlap here too.

[@colussok]

Hi David, Enjoying watching your videos and looking into furthering my new career 1yr and 1mth into being a disability support practitioner, to become an OT. Applied to uni and really hoping to get accepted. I am loving my current job and makes me feel great every day helping clients. Also will pay well and give me flexibility with life. Thanks again. Your videos clarified that I definitely want to study OT.

[@otfocus]

Thanks Kira. I hope you get accepted to uni!

[@adityaacharya2329]

Which kind of Uni courses are for OTs? I coundn't find specific courses in some Unis.

[@colussok]

I am studying at Canberra uni, however, the course is offered at Sydney University too. Occupational Therapy Degree. @@adityaacharya2329

[@Wheeled_Fighter]

My doctor is hyper focused on me walking. My PT is focused on me walking. I have an incomplete T12 sci, PoTS and hEDS, I'm not really interested in walking because it causes a lot of unwanted pain and stress on my body. I've tried so many times to walk on my own and the only thing that happens is I end up falling and getting more injuries. I don't want to lose sight of the bigger picture in life, focusing on walking will cause me to miss out on more important things in my daily life. The hospital discharged me to home asap, but the sci was discovered a couple days later when I fell again. I've had to figure out for myself how to do daily tasks, a year later I still don't know how touse a vacuum or cooktop/oven from my wheelchair. I've been to a few PTs, they are only focused on me walking, the one I'm at now is still focused on me walking but in a pool setting instead, I need 5 feet of water and ankle weights to keep me submerged so I can walk 6 feet in weightless environment. If I could walk don't these people think I would? I spent 40 years of my life walking a normal life. I'm going to push my doctor to send me to an OT I met at the gym who caters to people with disabilities, she is the only one in my state that takes my insurance and a wheelchair seating specialist. My wheelchair is nearly basic in its design, I need more back support not less. It amazing how doctors and many PTs focus on diagnosis rather than what the patient wants. It is rare to find a PT that asks the patient what they want to do.

[@otfocus]

I’m so sorry to hear about your situation and hope this OT can help. Sometimes it takes time to find the right person to guide you. You know yourselves best. Hope you get the help you need!

[@funmi1233]

Really enjoyed the points on OT!

[@otfocus]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@katlegomodupe7562]

Hey sir, I agree with most of the points you made in this video the biggest being that OTs should not be seen as less than physical therapist but I think there is a way to explain the need/purpose of OTs in the rehabilitation of patients without bringing physical therapy down. I don't agree with you in that OT is more important than PT, I think OT and PT are equally important because they are interdependent on each other in order to ensure the patient makes a full recovery. In order for the patient to dance they have to walk first just as there is no use in the patient learning how to walk if they won't reach their goal of dancing. Also saying that OTs can do what PTs can do is a stretch if that was the case there wouldn't be a need for two different professions. PTs are just as amazing as OTs😁

[@otfocus]

Thank you for your comment. I realize now I was a little hard on PT for this video. I do respect and appreciate physical therapists. I mostly shared this to help people understand the importance of OT. Most people don’t see the purpose of OT or they disregard it and see PT as superior. I’m talking about most medical professionals. I’ve heard some doctors say what can a PT do that and OT can’t do but the opposite is also true. OTs have a more holistic approach to therapy and see things a little differently than PT. I completely agree with what you said that both PT and OT compliment each other and are equally important.

[@lisamarsh9330]

I have arm and hand pain they said cognitive and it is where I'm going. I'm still confused about it v pt

[@otfocus]

Yeah, it's kinda confusing. PT and OT are similar as they have the same aim of helping people become independent but OT is usually more functional/holistic. OTs are also the person you should see for hand or upper extremity injuries. They also work with patients with problems related to cognition, mental health, low vision, and any other activities related to everyday living.

[@eduardojose8172]

Nothing but facts stated.

[@otfocus]

Thank you!!!

[@johnsterkowitz3833]

Awesome video thanks!

[@otfocus]

Glad you liked it.

[@soundslight7754]

OT needs to educate the public to gain notoriety, credibility and respect then job opportunities and sphere of influence will increase

[@otfocus]

🔥

[@occupationaltherapy1737]

@@otfocus the thing now is the OTs should start to creating awareness on what ot is and how it is meaningful to the society

[@wendyleeconnelly2939]

Is either one more important? Or are they simply complementary? Probably some people have to get thru physical therapy and gain their range of motion in order to be able to do OT. And if the patient is unmotivated they may need supportive psychotherapy to get there.... hopefully all skilled professions supporting the patient and each other.

[@otfocus]

You're right they are complimentary. OT's also work on improving strength and range of motion they just look at everything more holistically. I don't think there's a lot of support for each profession, but OT is just much less understood.

[@esethumadlavu8631]

Sir I think you really need to do more research on physical therapy. I recommend that you do not speak on things you don’t know. Your knowledge of physical therapy is very limited. You can always try to reclaim or advocate for occupational therapy without trying to bring down physical therapy. One can argue that occupational therapy is s derivative of physical therapy and wouldn’t exist without physical therapy.

[@otfocus]

I appreciate your remarks. I don’t mean to bring down physical therapy or you. I know and work with some great physical therapists. I appreciate what they do and I think most people appreciate physical therapy for the biomechanical approach to rehabilitation. But I think it’s important that OTs know and understand their role in the profession and begin to share more of the responsibilities with physical therapy. OTs can also work in outpatient, perform wound care, work with athletes and share more of the responsibilities that are predominantly driven by PT. I’m just tired of hearing about doctors who don’t order OT because they don’t think it’s more important, because in my opinion, in most cases, I think it’s much more important. That’s why PT has taken a more “functional” approach in recent years. I really don’t mean to offend you. I just don’t think OTs should see themselves as less than PT. They should see themselves as equals. I probably should have mentioned that in this video.

[@brigittealexander1967]

I agree I love dancing and I would be screwed without my physiotherapist PT. I want to add dance therapy to my speech pathology degree. I will be getting performance experience. Physiotherapists are more holistic than what you give them credit for. My mum sees one too and she is close him. My physiotherapists knows I love dancing and sees it is meaningful to me. OT’s might get a person to dance recreationally but you left out professional dancers. All allied professions are more holistic than you think.

[@brigittealexander1967]

Most athletes and dancers are close to their physiotherapists

[@misbahhanif6072]

Thank u so much. I'm OT student from pakistan

[@otfocus]

Best of luck to you my friend!

[@sierrabravo7368]

My Physiotherapist gives me too many exercises would an OT give me less exercises? 😂🤣🤣

[@otfocus]

No but they would focus on meaningful activities. I usually only ever give people 2-3 exercises. It just gets too overwhelming