Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) are two careers that help people heal and rehabilitate. PTs and OTs may seem similar at a glance, but they have just as many differences. The job descriptions and history vary, but the salary, and requirements are fairly alike. They both take much skill and expertise, but few people actually understand the difference between the two.
Therapy is the treatment of disease or disability through rehabilitation processes. Both physical and occupational therapists treat patients who have injuries or disabilities. A physical therapist treats patients with specifically physical disabilities. They help patients recuperate from pain and injuries, and they are also a huge part of the
…show more content…
They help theses people relearn how to perform everyday activities, like getting dressed and brushing their teeth. PTs and OTs must both be strong, encouraging, and nurturing. For the patient, being unable to do something is frightening, and relearning how to do certain activities can be difficult. PTs and OTs are much needed encouragers and the quality of their work has developed throughout the years. Since day one, physical and occupational therapy have steadily progressed and evolved into crucial, prestigious careers. Physical therapy began around 460 BC. Hippocrates used hydrotherapy, which uses pools or water for exercises and relief of pain, and massage treatment. Many universities started programs for massage and physical therapy. The industry grew during WWI because the war produced many injured soldiers who were in need of therapy. In 1921, the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association, later the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), was founded by Mary McMillan, who became known as the “Mother of Physical Therapy.” The APTA official website describes the APTA as a professional membership organization that funds and releases research and fights legal battles for PTs (Who we are). Throughout the years, physical therapy has become a respectable career and has, and will, continue to grow as more research and
As a physical therapist, one is able to make a difference in the lives of the patients he or she encounters. Whether they have a minor injury, such as a broken
Beyond the educational requirements for physical therapists are the many other attributes that are needed to be successful. A career as a physical therapist requires a lot of studied skills, personal characteristics and physical fitness. A physical therapist should enjoy working with people and helping others. An ability to listen to patients and understand is important to success. Patients are often a victim of a traumatic experience, injury or are afflicted by a debilitating disease. The emotional distress can often be as trying as the physical dysfunction. (Kottler 11) Communicating and teaching skills are needed to help patients learn new movements and exercises to practice on their own. Physical therapists help patients set goals, regain and strengthen muscles and flexibility. Helping a patient find confidence in the program helps them to
The physical therapy profession is concerned with treating individuals of all ages. In the future, I plan on being able to comfort individuals undergoing physical therapy by being able to use my compassionate nature, caring, understanding, and the expertise that I will gain, while serving as their physical therapist. In doing the previously mentioned things, I hope to be considered as an important asset to society. I believe that people will be able to increase their viability by seeking my assistance.
There are several grey areas between physical therapy and occupational therapy. While both occupations focus on physical functions of the anatomy, their intentions vary. An occupational therapist’s mission is to improve physical functions so a person can work or participate in daily life. A physical therapist is tasked with diagnosing and treating physical ailments or injuries. The relationship between physical therapists and occupational therapists shows common characteristics, however; they are different in many ways. Some differences and similarities are the amount of required education, salary, licensing, and job duties.
The name of the society changed in 1923, due to hospitals wanting a national directory of qualified occupational therapists. There now was a minimal standard of training that had to be met before an individual was put in the directory (AOTA, 2009). The name was changed to the American Occupational Therapy Association. The American Medical Association worked with the American Occupational Therapy Association starting in 1933 on getting improved education programs for occupational therapists (AOTA, 2009).
Physical therapy has a long and changing history. As a medical treatment, physical therapy goes back as far as cave dwellers, but was not considered a profession until World War I. During ancient times many places, worshiped the sun for its healing powers. Places such as Germany who worshiped and also set up fields where people lay in the sun to get well. Different therapies that were used throughout history contributed to physical therapy as a profession, hyper therapy, cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, and electrotherapy. As a polio epidemic swept the United States from 1915 through 1917, many therapists services were requested to help victims recover from the effects of this devastating illness. By the end of World War II, physical therapy was a widely accepted therapeutic practice. Near the 19th century in Britain, physical therapy was established, and all of the people being trained were women. The first
As a PTA I have been given a breath of knowledge in regard to the profession of physical therapy. However, I am not satisfied with this breath of knowledge. I yearn for the opportunity to gain a further understanding in terms of “how and why” physical therapy is successful at restoring function to individuals seeking
A physical therapist and an occupational therapist are two job titles that people feel are the same but they are not. Physical therapists focus more on evaluating and diagnosing movement dysfunctions, whereas occupational therapists focus on evaluating and improving a person’s functional abilities. However, they both involve educating people on how to prevent and avoid injuries
An Occupational Therapist is a individual that can evaluate, develop, and help people regain and maintain daily living skills. Occupational Therapist work with people that have physical, mental and developmental conditions. The goal of the Therapist is to offer intervention that focus on teaching skills and helping the patient as well as the family on how to adapt and strengthen themselves so that they might be able to overcome physical obstacles. Occupational Therapist work with other health professionals in speech therapy, nursing, physical therapy and social work to ensure that the patients course of treatment aligns with the other areas.
The roles of an occupational and physical therapist at the centre is to perform initial assessments for new patients. The PT assesses how good their balance, strength, and independence are. Then prepares an exercise plan to increase independence based on the three objectives. The OT assesses if they need special equipment (sock aid, shower chair) to help assist the patient when they are home alone. Also, if they are able to put on their pants and get in and out of the shower safely. Lastly, both therapists follow up with their patients to see how they progress.
Physical Therapist is citing from website; www.apta.org/aboutpts " physical therapist are highly-educated licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility.
Physical therapists are members of a health care team, specially trained to improve movement and flinction, relieve pain, and expand movement potential. Through evaluation and individualized treatment programs, physical therapists can both treat existing problems and provide preventive health care for people with a variety of needs (Physical Therapy-Improving 1). Physical therapists are very knowledgeable and skillful concerning the human body. Physical therapy is a complex, but rewarding field to pursue as a career. Specialization, working conditions, job outlook, salaries, and education requirements need to be taken into consideration when contemplating a career as a physical therapist.
Physical therapy focuses in more on larger movement, increasing mobility and strength, and physically preparing a patient as best as they can to move around in the world. While an occupational therapist also helps a patient dealing with movement, occupational therapy focuses more on fine motor skills and teaching a patient skills necessary for increased independence so they don't have to rely on others as
Physical Therapy is the treatment of disease, injury or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather then by drug or surgery. Physical therapist are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who help patients reduce the pain they have and help improve or restore their mobility. PTs work in many different setting including high schools, hospitals, outpatient Clinique, etc. To become a physical therapist I'll need a graduate degree- either a masters or clinical doctorate - from an accredited physical therapy program before taking the national licensure exam. There is currently 199 colleges and universities nationwide that support 212 accredited professions physical therapy programs.
An occupational therapist is a trained and licensed health care professional who can make a complete evaluation of the impact of disease on the activities of the patient at home and in work situations. Hobbies and recreational activities are considered when an assessment is made. The most generally accepted definition of occupational therapy is that it is an activity, physical or mental, that aids in a patient’s recovery from disease or injury.