While occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) share a common goal—helping you regain independence and improve your quality of life—they focus on different aspects of recovery.

Occupational Therapy: OT is all about helping you perform daily activities that are important to your life. This might include getting dressed, cooking, writing, or returning to work. Occupational therapists often focus on improving fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and adapting your environment to meet your needs.

Physical Therapy: PT focuses on improving your physical strength, mobility, and overall movement. This might include exercises to build muscle, improve balance, and relieve pain. Physical therapists often work with patients recovering from surgery, injuries, or conditions that affect mobility, like arthritis or stroke.

Together, OT and PT often work hand in hand to provide comprehensive care tailored to your unique needs.

The type of therapy you need depends on your condition, goals, and the challenges you’re facing. Here’s a simple guide:

You may benefit from occupational therapy if you’re struggling with:

• Daily tasks like dressing, bathing, or cooking.
• Returning to work or school after an injury or illness.
• Adjusting to life with a new diagnosis or medical device (like a prosthetic limb).

You may benefit from physical therapy if you’re experiencing:

• Difficulty walking or moving due to pain, stiffness, or weakness.
• Recovery from surgery, like joint replacement or spinal surgery.
• Injuries from sports, falls, or repetitive motion.

Sometimes, your care team may recommend a combination of therapies to address both functional and physical needs.

Starting therapy is simple. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms or challenges, and they’ll help you determine the best type of therapy for your needs. From there, you’ll be connected with one of our specialists.