Both the fields of occupational therapy and physical therapy provide hands-on rehabilitative work to help clients perform their tasks as independently as possible. While each field follows a diverse approach in helping people restore their normal physical functions and usual way of life, they are also often confused with each other. As an adult day health care in Santa Ana, California, we aim to provide enlightenment, especially to those who are interested in availing these services.
The Basic Difference
PT focuses on improving the patients’ ability to perform movements of the human body while OT centers around improving their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL).
To further understand the difference between the two, let’s take a closer look on each one:
- Physical Therapy
The primary goal of PT is to help patients restore their mobility, whether through exercises, massages, or other techniques. It tries to improve the impairment through increasing mobility, aligning bones and joints, or lessening the pain. This can minimize the need for expensive surgeries or long-term reliance on medications. As this is a part of our adult day services in Westminster, California, our physical therapists also teach our clients how to prevent or manage their condition so that they can attain long-term health benefits.
- Occupational Therapy
The primary focus of OT is to enable the patients to engage in the meaningful activities of daily living as seamlessly as possible. This is why an occupational therapist treats the whole person and helps them fully engage in their daily lives. Since OT uses a holistic approach in looking at clients’ reasons for participating in activities, their roles, as well as their environment, they provide long-term assistance to patients through therapeutic adaptations and modifications to their environments. A senior center that provides OT services uses several approaches which include wellness promotion, rehabilitation, and habilitation.
Are you interested in availing both of these services? ABC Westminster Day Health Center invites you to take advantage of our effective therapeutic strategies today!
