Katy Therapist Answers: What Is the Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy?
Physical therapists treat a range of conditions to improve the daily lives of their patients. Spero Rehab, a clinic providing physical therapy in Katy, TX, sheds light on the common question, “What is the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy?”
Spero Rehab provides cutting-edge occupational and physical therapy treatment plans to patients in and around Katy, Texas.
Exploring Occupational Therapy To Develop Fine Motor Skills
Occupational therapy focuses on improving how patients function in their daily lives by altering their activities, skills, or environment. Often, occupational therapists help patients improve their fine motor skills, which involve small muscle groups. Fine motor skills could include brushing teeth, putting on socks, cutting food, sending a text message, and more.
For patients with mental health challenges, occupational therapists may provide positive coping strategies and environmental support. Occupational therapy often helps individuals with intellectual or developmental delays adapt to their lives or gain increased independence, particularly after an injury. These therapists employ a holistic approach, considering all aspects of their patient’s lives, including their emotional and environmental factors, rather than just physical concerns.
Understanding Physical Therapy for Injury Recovery and Gross Motor Skill Development
So, what is the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy?
Physical therapists focus on optimizing a patient’s quality of life through physical movements, prescribed exercises, pain management, and patient education. Physical therapists (PTs) typically want to get the patient back on their feet after an injury, surgery, or condition that reduced their mobility. Physical therapy primarily focuses on helping the patient reduce pain, increase mobility, and prevent re-injury.
Rather than helping patients practice their fine motor skills, PTs typically focus on gross motor skills that affect larger muscle groups. Gross motor skills may include running, jumping, and lunging. The main goal for a patient in PT is to reach full pain-free movement again, restoring their previous quality of life before the injury.
About Spero Rehab in Katy, TX
Spero Rehab in Katy, TX, is an advanced, cutting-edge rehabilitation clinic focused on providing patients with a careful balance between research-based treatments, holistic approaches, and personalized care. Spero Rehab provides physical, occupational, and performance therapy to everyone, from neurological to orthopedic patients. The clinic is fully equipped with a Hydroworx therapy pool and an Underwater Treadmill along with a variety of wellness services like dry needling and personal training.
Those still wondering, “What is the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy?” can contact the rehabilitation clinic in Katy, TX, to request an appointment.
