Occupational Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: Understanding the Differences

Choosing a career path in occupational therapy or physical therapy means dedicating your professional life to helping people overcome mobility issues and pain and recover from illnesses and injuries. However, occupational therapists and physical therapists actually work with different populations and leverage different modalities, which means they require different educational pathways.  

The key difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy is that OT is focused on helping patients engage in meaningful daily activities, while physical therapy focuses more on improving a patient’s range of motion and strength, often following an injury.  

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), “Occupational therapy enables people of all ages to participate in daily living.” Patients who work with an OT are focused on improving their ability to participate in necessary daily activities in their own lives, including personal hygiene, self-care, work, and hobbies. Occupational therapists must have a minimum of a master’s degree, and many choose to earn a doctoral degree.  

The responsibilities of an occupational therapist depend on the needs of their patients. Earning an occupational therapy master’s or an occupational therapy doctorate gives them the training needed to help individuals regain and improve their abilities to complete activities of daily living using a holistic approach to the patient’s well-being. Occupational therapy targets may include physical limitations, but they also consider environmental, mental, emotional, and other factors.  

Occupational therapists typically work along with other members of a care team, including physicians, physical therapists, mental health care providers, and caregivers.  

While there is overlap between physical therapy and occupational therapy, physical therapists are focused specifically on physical recovery from injuries or illnesses. They help patients gain mobility, improve strength, and alleviate pain. A physical therapy doctorate degree is required to practice independently as a physical therapist.  

Physical therapists are responsible for improving the physical conditions of their patients through the use of different exercises as well as hands-on treatments. PTs may use standard resistance and flexibility training modalities along with practices like water therapy, biofeedback, and manual stretching.  

Like occupational therapists, physical therapists work alongside other medical professionals, such as surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, and caregivers.  

Treatment approaches are one key way to differentiate between an occupational therapist vs. physical therapist. Occupational therapists and physical therapists have different goals for therapy and focus on different types of interventions to meet those goals, in addition to having different educational requirements.  

Occupational therapy starts with the goal of ensuring a patient is able to participate in an activity or set of activities that adds meaning to their lives. For some patients, OT may help them become more independent by better caring for themselves through bathing, cooking, and hygiene practices. In other cases, there may be specific leisure or social activities that are important to patients and become the focus of therapy.  

In physical therapy, typical goals include improving range of motion, alleviating pain, and gaining musculoskeletal strength.  

In both OT and PT, interventions are focused on meeting goals agreed upon with their patients at intake. Both OTs and PTs will typically work with patients in person and may also give patients and caregivers exercises to complete at home between appointments to maximize the efficacy of the treatments.  

Another way to compare OT vs. PT is in the patient types and conditions treated. As far as patient population, both OTs and PTs can work with patients across their lifespans, from pediatrics to older adults.  

There may also be considerable overlap in the conditions treated. For example, OTs and PTs may work in conjunction to treat patients recovering from surgeries, strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and other physical injuries. Both OTs and PTs can also be effective for patients dealing with certain chronic conditions, such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease.

Occupational therapists may be more likely to work with patients dealing with certain disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays. 

Patients are often referred to occupational therapists by their general practitioners or by other specialists. Occupational therapy patients need help learning or relearning skills for daily life activities. As with patients of any healthcare professional, occupational therapy patients need compassion and clear communication in addition to professional interactions. 

Physical therapy patients’ needs can vary widely. Everyone from injured athletes to stroke patients and victims of car crashes may need physical therapy to address pain and mobility issues. Veterans with injuries or amputations due to traumatic injuries also benefit from physical therapy treatments.  

Physical therapists and occupational therapists work in similar environments in the healthcare arena, including hospitals and private practice offices. PTs and OTs may also choose to specialize based on patient age, specific areas of the body, and specific types of rehabilitation.  

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 29% of occupational therapists work in hospitals while another 28% work in private practice offices, which accounts for the majority of OTs. An additional 13% of OTs work in schools or other educational settings, while fewer than 10% work in home healthcare services or nursing care facilities.  

For both OTs and PTs, private offices and hospitals are the top work environments. The BLS³ indicates that 35% of physical therapists work in private healthcare offices, an additional 28% work in hospitals, 10% work in home healthcare services, 6% work in nursing care facilities, and only 4% are self-employed.  

Both occupational therapists and physical therapists require advanced degrees to pursue these careers. Russell Sage has programs for OTs and PTs that give graduates the skills they need to succeed as leaders in their fields. By offering ample opportunities to build professional networks, earn hands-on experience, and choose specializations that meet specific career goals, Sage stands out as the right choice for many candidates.  

Apply today to take the first step toward a career helping people live happier, more productive lives.