Occupational Therapist vs. Physical Therapist: 3 Key Differences

Passionate about uplifting the lives of others? Then the idea of working in healthcare may have crossed your mind. For a good reason, too: The field abounds with dozens of thrilling, vital roles, from managing hospital operations to performing critical, non-elective surgeries.

And yet, selecting the right profession in healthcare may be key to your future satisfaction, productivity, engagement—and the meaningfulness you might find in your profession.¹ With so many specialties to choose from, though, where should you start?

Exploring a career in occupational therapy and physical therapy is one place to begin, particularly if you’re an aspiring healthcare professional interested in providing rehabilitation services. But what’s the difference between an occupational therapist and physical therapist?

We have the info you need to make a clear distinction between the two. Let’s jump into the physical therapist vs. occupational therapist debate so that you can make the most fitting educational decisions.

What is the Difference Between a Physical and Occupational Therapist?

At first glance, occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) seem to be one and the same (or, at the bare minimum, extremely similar). Both disciplines focus on improving clients’ quality of life and ability to function with ease and confidence.² Both are also essential to holistic health and the healthcare system at large. And both work with clients managing a wide range of challenges, from spinal cord injuries to neurological conditions like Parkinson’s.

Despite several overlaps in the two professions, notable differences do exist between them. We’ll look at them in depth below; in the meantime, let’s review the basics behind both roles.

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?

Occupational therapists are highly skilled medical experts whose primary goal is to enhance their patients’ capacity to live independently.^3,4 This is accomplished by helping clients develop or regain the necessary skills for daily activities, hobbies, and tasks.

In some cases, an occupational therapist might help a stroke survivor recover their ability to safely perform fundamental daily tasks like bathing, dressing, grooming, and eating. In other cases, an OT may provide practical support to a client suffering from anxiety by guiding them through smart coping strategies.⁵ Indeed, OTs work with people of all ages—and an assortment of physical and mental health challenges. These include:

• Neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s
• Neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis
• Illnesses and injuries, like cancer, burns, broken bones, amputations, concussions, hand injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Developmental challenges and disabilities, i.e. intellectual delays, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and Down Syndrome⁶
• Mental health complications, such as depression and anxiety
• Joint issues, like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Occupational therapists tailor each treatment plan according to their clients’ needs, wishes, and goals. They also work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, primary care offices, schools, outpatient clinics, mental health facilities, home healthcare agencies, and nursing homes.⁷ These are just a few examples of where occupational therapists can work, showcasing the versatility of the profession.

What Does a Physical Therapist Do?

Physical therapists work with a similar set of health conditions; they also work in similar healthcare environments.

So, what’s the difference between a physical therapist and occupational therapist?

As opposed to an occupational therapist’s determination to help patients reclaim self-sufficiency, physical therapists—or “movement experts,” as they’re often called—help clients improve their comfort and mobility. Whereas an occupational therapist may use assistive equipment and training techniques, physical therapists hone in on customized exercises, stretches, and other physical activities designed to:⁸

• Increase a client’s range of motion
• Deal with aches, pains, and stiffness
• Recover from injuries (such as an ACL tear or a sports injury)
• Avoid future damage

Physical therapists practice in many of the same settings as occupational therapists. They’re also frequently found at sports and fitness facilities.⁹

As for the type of patient they treat? This is where the occupational therapist vs physical therapist question overlaps even more so: As discussed, both healthcare professionals treat overlapping conditions. During a week in the life of a PT, for example, they may see clients with:

• Common conditions, such as lower back pain, urinary incontinence, or trigger finger or thumb
• Injuries or traumas, like rotator cuff tears or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
• Chronic conditions, i.e. muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other conditions that impact movement

3 Key Differences Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

Given the similarities between the two professions, it’s easy to see why they’re often used interchangeably. But there are three main distinctions between the two specialties:

1. Scope of Practice

A good rule of thumb is to remember that physical therapists typically treat a specific part of the body, such as the neck, knee, or elbow.

An occupational therapist, on the other hand, takes a broader, more holistic approach to treatment. The different occupational therapy specialties examine a patient’s limitations and craft a strategy that addresses everyday activities and fundamental needs, like showing an Alzheimer’s patient’s caregiver how to brush their teeth or help them into their clothes.

Similar to a physical therapist, they help with pain management and aim to heal and strengthen the physical body, but they also help people overcome mental, emotional, and even social challenges.

2. Treatment Goals

What is the difference between an occupational and physical therapist?

It also comes down to their treatment goals:

• Physical therapists zero in on helping patients enhance or revitalize their range of motion, strength, and mobility—oftentimes as a natural way to manage pain. They may also provide instructions on how to prevent a condition from getting worse, and educate patients on building, and sustaining, their fitness and strength.
• Occupational therapists concentrate on helping clients develop or restore self-sufficiency. For some, this may mean learning organizational skills, or how to use a piece of assistive equipment like a wheelchair or walker. For others, it might involve leveraging visual stimulation tools to boost brain function or vision. Their main goal is to, again, bolster independence and productivity to allow patients to resume their daily activities.

3. Educational Pathways

Another key difference between occupational therapist vs. physical therapist?

Their educational journeys:

• Physical therapists must hold a doctor of physical degree (DPT) from a physical therapy education-accredited program, an advanced degree that generally takes three years to complete and includes coursework in topics ranging from cellular histology to clinical reasoning. (This, of course, after a candidate has received their undergraduate degree.) They’re also required to obtain clinical experience before passing their state licensure exam.
• Occupational therapists, meanwhile, must earn an advanced degree too, but aspiring OTs have the choice between pursuing a master of occupational therapy (MOT) or a doctorate in occupational therapy (ODT).¹⁰ Wondering what you can do with a master's in occupational therapy? It can open doors to various specialties, such as hand therapy, pediatric care, or mental health. A master’s in the field, such as the MOT degree program offered by Alliant International University, usually takes two to three years to complete, while an ODT might require three to four years. Occupational therapy education hopefuls are also tasked with gaining field experience and taking the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT©) exam before applying for state licensure.

Do both degrees require substantial effort?

Certainly, but the potential rewards—namely, the possibility of transforming others’ lives—might be well worth the commitment. Plus, both professions offer the opportunity to choose a specialization. As a PT, you might decide to become board-certified in women’s health, wound management, or clinical electrophysiology.¹¹ Or, as an ODT, you may elect to specialize in hand complications, psychiatric disorders, or diabetes.¹²

MOT Degree

Choosing the Right Path: OT or PT?

With all of that said, you may be wondering for yourself, occupational vs. physical therapist?

Ultimately, only you can answer that question. If you tend toward movement, have a deep interest in anatomy, and enjoy watching people prosper physically, going after physical therapy might be right up your alley.

But if you want to help everyone from children with autism to seniors with balance issues, then occupational therapy may be the dream career you’ve been hoping to find. Either way, you’ll be contributing to a healthier society.

How to Take the Next Step in Your Occupational Therapy Career

Leaning more toward a degree in occupational degree, in large part because you want to nourish others’ autonomy? Understanding how to become an occupational therapist is the first step in achieving that goal.

Your next step would be to reach out to an admissions counselor. They can help you make sure that an MOT or ODT aligns well with your personal and professional goals (now and in the future), and provide in-depth information on the educational pathway that will help you achieve them.

Is Occupational Therapy the Right Career for You?

In the end, there is no occupational therapist vs. physical therapist debate. Both are indispensable to healthcare, just as both may be indispensable to a patient’s health, functionality, and overall wellness. But is occupational therapy a good career for you? It depends on whether you’re passionate about helping others reclaim independence.

In fact, occupational therapy complements physical therapy—and vice versa. It all comes down to deciding if you want to focus on physical rehabilitation or comprehensive physical, mental, social, and emotional wholeness.

Alliant International University can help you arrive at a decision. And if it seems that a career in occupational therapy is calling to you, Alliant offers a Master’s of Occupational Therapy program that will prepare you to implement therapeutic approaches with an assortment of patients. We also offer in-class and online courses and labs to fit right into your schedule.

Get started on a career in healthcare by requesting more information today.  

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Sources:

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10. Schwartz, Michele. “Masters vs Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.” The Virtual Pediatric OT, April 24, 2024. https://www.thevirtualpediatricot.com/masters-vs-doctorate-in-occupatio…. Accessed August 24, 2024. 
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12. Lyon, Sarah, Jeanette Runningssays:, Sarah Lyon, Viviana Morenosays:, Meghann Ehlingsays:, Karen Speicher, Karensays:, et al. “30+ OT Certifications and Specialties • OT Potential.” OT Potential • Occupational Therapy Resources, February 8, 2024. https://otpotential.com/blog/where-to-go-ot-degree. Accessed August 24. 2024.