Discover What Sets Apart Occupational vs. Physical Therapy

Both careers allow you to make a positive difference, but OT focuses on helping patients regain independence in their daily lives, while PT emphasizes restoring movement and physical function.

A common thread across most healthcare careers is the time commitment required to enter the field. Many take almost a decade, if not more, to complete. Understandably, this long path leads many aspiring healthcare professionals to wonder if being a doctor is worth it. Well, the answer, for most, is a definite yes. However, becoming a doctor is not the only option for those wanting a career in healthcare. 

There are numerous other paths, like becoming an occupational therapist or physical therapist. These careers offer rewarding opportunities but have shorter education timelines. If you like the sound of that, then what’s left is to choose between occupational therapy vs physical therapy, as both offer specific ways to improve patient lives and well-being.

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a specialized form of therapy that helps individuals of all ages perform everyday activities, or “occupations,” integral to their independence and well-being.

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) explains, “Everyone has occupations—from the toddler whose occupations are play and learning to develop important skills, to the older adult whose occupations are engaging with family and friends and managing his or her home.” 

If someone is recovering from an injury or health setback, these occupations may be disrupted. Therefore, occupational therapy brings them into the rehabilitation process.

Role of occupational therapists

Occupational therapists (OTs) help clients regain, improve, or adapt their skills for daily activities through customized interventions that address their specific needs and goals. Their work covers a range of duties, including the following:

• Helping children build fine motor skills needed for activities like holding crayons, using scissors, and improving coordination
• Assisting adults in regaining skills for work or personal care, such as lifting, dressing, and driving, after injury
• Promoting independence for older adults by suggesting strategies and tools for tasks like home management and social activities
• Teaching clients practical strategies like memory aids and relaxation techniques to help them manage sensory and emotional challenges

Educational requirements for occupational therapists

To become an occupational therapist, you typically must fulfill the following series of educational and licensing steps:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy or another related field
• Complete the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) along with 20 to 100 observation hours under a licensed occupational therapist
• Earn an advanced degree in occupational therapy
• Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam
• Obtain state licensure

It usually takes aspiring OTs six to seven years to meet all these requirements.

What Is Physical Therapy?

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), physical therapy is defined as “treatment provided by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant that helps people improve their movement and physical function, manage pain and other chronic conditions, and recover from and prevent injury and chronic disease.”

This kind of therapy focuses on empowering patients to regain strength, mobility, and control over their physical health.

Role of physical therapists

Physical therapists (PTs) are essential in diagnosing and treating patients with physical challenges. They help clients improve mobility, manage pain, and recover from injuries. 

On day-to-day basis, their duties include:

• Conducting physical assessment and diagnosis by using movement and muscle tests to find pain points or weaknesses
• Creating plans that include exercises, hands-on therapies, and balance training to improve strength and stability
• Helping with postoperative and injury recoveries
• Teaching safe movement, proper posture, and preventive exercises to help avoid future injuries

Educational requirements for physical therapists

To become a physical therapist, you must meet the following educational requirements:

• Complete a bachelor’s degree, often in a health or science-related field
• Take the GRE and gain relevant experience
• Complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program
• Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
• Obtain state licensure

This whole process generally takes around seven to eight years to complete.

Differences Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

Occupational therapy and physical therapy are both important fields in healthcare. However, they focus on different aspects of patient rehabilitation. The primary difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy lies in the following areas:

Focus areas

Occupational therapy’s focus is helping patients with daily activities, like dressing, eating, or using a computer. On the other hand, physical therapy is focused on improving general movement, strength, and pain relief. 

So, while an occupational therapist might work with someone to relearn how to dress independently, a physical therapist would help that same person strengthen muscles to improve overall mobility.

Treatment approaches

The methods used in occupational therapy and physical therapy also differ. Occupational therapists try to adapt different tasks and tools in order to make daily activities easier, customizing their approach to each person’s lifestyle. For example, they might recommend special kitchen tools for a patient with arthritis so it makes cooking easier for them. 

Physical therapists, however, focus on exercises, stretches, and hands-on techniques to directly improve physical movement and relieve pain. They plan exercise routines in order to help patients regain strength and control.

Client populations

Although both types of therapists work with patients of all ages, their client populations often differ. Occupational therapists typically work with people who need help with specific tasks, whether children with developmental delays or adults adjusting to life after a stroke. 

Physical therapists, on the other hand, more commonly assist patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or dealing with chronic pain conditions. 

For example, someone with back pain might see a physical therapist to improve movement, while someone with Parkinson’s disease might work with an occupational therapist to increase their independence.

Overlap and Collaboration Between OT and PT

It is not uncommon for OTs and PTs to collaborate with other professionals whose expertise complements their work. For instance, PTs often partner with sports medicine physicians to help athletes recover from injuries and improve physical performance.

In a similar manner, OTs and PTs also sometimes overlap in patient care. This usually happens in cases when their clients need both improved physical function and greater independence in daily activities. This overlap leads to collaboration between OTs and PTs with the intent of maximizing patient outcomes.

An example of such collaboration would be in stroke rehabilitation. In that case, a physical therapist would focus on helping the patient regain strength and coordination in the affected limbs through exercises and movement techniques.

Simultaneously, an occupational therapist would help the patient relearn tasks like dressing, cooking, and writing. 

Similarly, in pediatric settings, PTs work with children to improve their gross motor skills, such as walking, jumping, and climbing stairs. Meanwhile, OTs help those same children with fine motor tasks needed in daily activities like holding a pencil, buttoning shirts, or using utensils. Both therapies contribute to the child’s physical and cognitive development, often in shared sessions that make the most of their overlapping skill sets. 

Career Outlook and Opportunities

In terms of job growth, both physical and occupational therapy offer promising career outlooks, though PT has a slight edge in projected growth. Employment for physical therapists is expected to grow by 14% from 2023 to 2033, while occupational therapist employment is projected to grow by 11% over the same period.

Salary-wise,  earnings are close, at $99,710 for PT and $96,370 for OT, making both fields solid career choices financially.

Physical therapy offers specialized career paths for those interested in focusing on specific populations or conditions, such as:

• Sports rehabilitation, where they work with athletes to prevent and treat injuries
• Geriatric PT, focused on maintaining mobility and strength in older adults
• Orthopedic PT for musculoskeletal issues
• Pediatric PT to support children’s physical development

Similarly, occupational therapists have equally diverse options, with specialties in areas like:

• Pediatric OT, helping children with developmental or sensory challenges
• Hand therapy, addressing complex fine motor skills and recovery from hand injuries.
• Mental health OT, working with clients to manage daily activities impacted by mental health conditions
• Geriatric OT, helping older adults maintain their independence and adapt their living environments to their physical needs

OT vs. PT – Which Path Is Right for You?

To help you decide between these two career paths, take a moment to reflect on all the information provided so far and consider your strengths, interests, and long-term goals.

Based on what we’ve learned about occupational therapy, the role of an occupational therapist might be the best fit if you:

• Have a creative approach to problem-solving and feel motivated by helping clients overcome barriers in practical, daily activities
• Are skilled and patient when it comes to teaching others
• Find fulfillment in supporting people with cognitive or developmental challenges

On the other hand, a career as a physical therapist may be the ideal choice if you:

• Enjoy helping others develop an active lifestyle
• Are drawn to hands-on therapeutic approaches, such as exercises, stretches, and manual therapy
• Have a strong interest in sports medicine or would enjoy working closely with clients focused on physical activity or recovery

Conclusion

Occupational therapists and physical therapists, in their own ways, help people regain independence, strength, and confidence. Both provide you with the chance to create positive change in patients’ lives.

Whichever you choose, your work will be more than a job; it will be a way to change lives, one step or skill at a time. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it harder to become an OT or PT?

Not really! Physical therapy generally requires a longer path, as PTs need a DPT, while OTs often only complete a master’s degree​.

What is the highest paying field in occupational therapy?

Some of the highest-paying OT fields include hand therapy, geriatric care, and low-vision therapy, which require specialized skills and training​.

Can occupational therapists diagnose medical conditions?

No, occupational therapists do not diagnose; they assess functional needs and create treatment plans based on existing medical diagnoses​.