Both occupational therapy and physical therapy are forms of rehabilitative care. Rehabilitative care’s primary goal is to prevent or improve an individual’s quality of life and condition due to surgery, injury, or illness.

An evaluation with Osteopractor, Mohinder Chawdry here at Total Health Center, Inc. in our Battle Creek, MI, or Lake Odessa, MI, offices will determine whether you can benefit both from physical and occupational therapy or just one of the two. With that said, occupational and physical therapy have some similarities and differences you should be aware of.

The Primary Goals of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is mainly focused on:

• Reducing pain
• Restoring or improving, range of motion, strength, and mobility
• Teaching you ways for maintaining your overall functional and fitness
• Preventing the worsening of your condition

Basically, you might need physical therapy if your condition negatively impacts your range of motion and movement. It is typically utilized for the following:

• Recovery after surgery
• To improve mobility following an injury
• Managing pain
• Recovery following a stroke
• Recovery following a heart attack
• Managing joint conditions, hand conditions, neurological conditions, lung conditions, cancer, or cardiovascular conditions

Physical therapists utilize various techniques such as:

• Stretching and targeted exercises
• Massage
• Application of cold and heat
• Hands-on manipulation
• Electrical stimulation
• Ultrasound

The Main Goals of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is primarily focused on:

• Maximizing your ability to efficiently and safely do daily activities
• Promoting productivity and independence
• Educating your caregivers about how to best help you while undergoing occupational therapy

You may need to undergo occupational therapy if an illness or condition impacts your ability to conduct common daily tasks. Examples of common conditions that occupational therapy might be utilized to include the following:

• Pain management
• Recovery from a surgical procedure or injury
• Hand, joint, and neurological conditions
• Recovering from a stroke
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Psychological conditions including anxiety and depression
• Developmental conditions like intellectual disabilities, learning disorders, and ASD or autism spectrum disorder

Occupational therapists typically help people by:

• Helping them relearn or learn how to do daily activities like eating, dressing, and bathing, as well as fine motor skills like buttoning shirts or writing
• Evaluating the house, workplace, or school to identify things that could make performing daily activities easier
• Teaching people how to get out and into their bed, chair, or tub safely
• Training people how to utilize assistive devices safely and efficiently
• Showing specific exercises that can help manage your pain and boost your flexibility and mobility
• Guiding caregivers on how to support you efficiently and safely

Depending on your specific circumstances and condition, your Osteopractor in our Battle Creek, MI, or Lake Odessa, MI, may recommend one of these rehabilitative therapies or both physical and occupational therapy.

To Learn If You or a Loved One Can Benefit From Physical and Occupational Therapy, Call Us

Reach out to us by calling our Battle Creek, MI, office at (269) 968-0888, Lake Odessa, MI, office at (616) 374-0099, or Capital Centre Plaza, Battle Creek, MI, office at (269) 962-0888 to book your appointment today.