Occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) help people improve function after illness or injury. However, the way they achieve these goals differs. Occupational therapists focus on improving functional abilities with everyday activities, while physical therapists focus on strength and functional mobility.

This article discusses interventions provided by occupational and physical therapists, as well as information for students interested in these careers.

What Is an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational therapists are licensed healthcare providers who help people be as independent as possible in daily activities that give them a sense of purpose and meaning.

What Conditions Are Teated by OTs and PTs?

Occupational and physical therapists work with people of all ages with various health conditions, injuries, and developmental disabilities.

Examples include:

  • Neurological conditions (such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain injury)
  • Orthopedic conditions (such as fractures, arthritis, tendonitis, or joint replacement surgery)
  • Genetic disorders (such as Down syndrome, Huntington’s disease, or Marfan syndrome)

OTs and PTs can be found in hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, schools, and other healthcare facilities. Occupational therapists also work in mental health facilities, while some physical therapists work in fitness or sports facilities.

How They Help Patients

OTs help patients improve function in all occupations of life (activities of everyday life).

Categories of occupations include:

  • Activities of daily living (ADLs), such as eating, dressing, and bathingInstrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), such as meal prep, shopping, and money managementHealth managementEducationRest and sleepWorkPlayLeisureSocial participation

OTs use a variety of interventions that include both activities and aids to improve physical and mental function. Examples include:

  • Range of motion exercises
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Splinting
  • Adaptive equipment (such as raised toilet seats, dressing aids, and tub bench)
  • Life skills training (such as money management, personal care, and cooking)
  • Adaptive driving
  • Cognitive skills training
  • Stress management techniques
  • Wheelchair positioning
  • Adaptive technology

What Is a Physical Therapist?

Physical therapists are also licensed healthcare providers. They are movement experts who help people regain mobility and function after injury or illness.

PTs use a variety of treatments to reduce pain and improve mobility. Examples include:

  • Range of motion exercises
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Manual therapy (massage, joint mobilization)
  • Physical agents (such as hot packs, cold packs, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation)
  • Balance training
  • Assistive devices (such as a cane, walker, or crutches)
  • Wheelchair positioning
  • Braces
  • Wound care

Which One Is Better?

When it comes to occupational and physical therapy, neither one is better than the other. Each type of therapy plays an important but different role in recovery from injury and illness—in some cases, people receive both types of therapy at the same time.

If you’re trying to choose between OT and PT as a career, there are a few things to consider.

OT might be a better fit if you are interested in the following:

  • Helping people regain function in everyday activitiesImproving the safety and usefulness of a person’s environmentWorking with individuals who have feeding issuesAddressing cognitive deficits that occur with developmental conditions or after brain traumaWorking with people with mental health conditions

PT might be a better fit if you are interested in the following:

  • Helping people learn to walk and move around after injury or illnessWorking with injured athletesSpecializing in cardiac or pulmonary rehabTreating patients with pelvic health issuesPerforming wound care

If you aren’t sure which career path to take, shadow people in both fields in various work settings—and ask lots of questions.

Education and Specialties

Occupational and physical therapists must complete graduate school and pass a board exam for certification.

Occupational Therapist Education

To become an occupational therapist, you must first obtain a master’s degree or a professional doctorate from a program accredited by the American Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

To become certified as an occupational therapist, individuals must pass an exam through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

Occupational therapists must also be licensed to practice in their state.

Occupational Therapy Specialties

Occupational therapists can choose to specialize in one of the following five areas of specialty certification of the American Occupational Therapy Association:

  • Driving and community mobilityEnvironmental modificationFeeding, eating, and swallowingLow visionSchool systems

Additional specialty certifications can be obtained through other organizations.

Physical Therapist Education

To become a physical therapist, individuals must complete a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. This degree typically requires three years of graduate school after completing a bachelor’s degree.

Certified Hand Therapist

Both occupational and physical therapists can specialize in hand therapy (treatment of the upper extremities) and obtain certification through the Hand Therapy Certification Commission. Therapists who successfully pass the board exam earn the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) distinction.

After completing a DPT program, individuals must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam through the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Physical Therapy Specialties

Physical therapists also have opportunities to become specialists. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties offers board certification in the following areas:

  • Cardiovascular (heart) and pulmonary (lung)Clinical electrophysiologyGeriatricsNeurologyOncologyOrthopedicsPediatricsSportsWomen’s healthWound management

Summary

Occupational and physical therapists have similar treatment goals but use different interventions to help people recover from injury or illness. Occupational therapists focus on improving the performance of daily activities, while physical therapists primarily focus on decreasing pain and increasing mobility.

Do You Need a Referral?

Many individuals can see an occupational or physical therapist without a referral from another healthcare provider—a process called direct access. However, your state laws or individual insurance plans might require you to get a referral. Approved referral sources vary by state and insurance plan but often include physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician’s assistants.

Both career paths require graduate degrees and licensing exams. OTs and PTs have opportunities to become specialists in a variety of areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does an OT or PT make more money?
  • Salaries for both OT and PT vary based on several factors, such as geographical location and the type of facility. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the median annual salary for an OT was $85,570, and the median annual salary for a PT was $95,620.
  • Who goes to school longer, occupational or physical therapists?
  • Occupational and physical therapists both attend graduate school. OTs can enter the field with a master’s degree or a doctorate, while PTs must have a doctorate. OTs who obtain a master’s degree have the least amount of schooling needed.
  • Why isn’t OT prescribed as often as PT?
  • There’s no way to determine whether OT or PT is prescribed more than the other. However, physical therapy often gets more attention in the public eye, such as when a pro athlete gets injured. There are also more outpatient clinics for physical therapy. OTs often work in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes where they are less visible to the public.

Salaries for both OT and PT vary based on several factors, such as geographical location and the type of facility. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the median annual salary for an OT was $85,570, and the median annual salary for a PT was $95,620.

Occupational and physical therapists both attend graduate school. OTs can enter the field with a master’s degree or a doctorate, while PTs must have a doctorate. OTs who obtain a master’s degree have the least amount of schooling needed.

There’s no way to determine whether OT or PT is prescribed more than the other. However, physical therapy often gets more attention in the public eye, such as when a pro athlete gets injured. There are also more outpatient clinics for physical therapy. OTs often work in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes where they are less visible to the public.