Physical VS. Occupational Therapist–Is There a Difference?

They both work with the body. They both do their work in a nursing home, outpatient clinic or in the patient’s home. They both have to possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in their field. They both have to intern under a licensed therapist and pass state tests. However after that there are only a few similarities between a physical therapist (PT) and an occupational therapist (OT). In general the PT works from the waist down and the OT works from the waist up. The PT will generally work on balance, walking, and general movement. In a nursing home the PT, especially for the elderly, may concentrate on helping the stroke victim walk or sit without leaning to one side. The OT ‘s function will be to teach the patient how to maintain independence in their basic self care needs and performance of activities of daily living. This may include recommending appropriate devices and gadgets to increase safety and functional ability. As an example, an OT may recommend modifications to a home to help a senior feel more comfortable there, to rearrange the furniture and home layout, to acquire equipment to prevent hand tremors during eating, and even teaching an elderly stroke victim how to get dressed with only one hand. Often, the PT and OT work together to provide rehabilitation therapy. This joint effort ensures that a patient can move well and also remain as independent as possible. When it comes to equipment that the PT and OT provide and work with the TUTOR system is in the forefront of medical devices created to assist the stroke victim how to regain his limb mobility. Consisting of the HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR these physical therapy products provide intensive and challenging exercises that allow for repetitive training tailored to the patient’s performance. In the case of the HANDTUTOR, for example, an ergonomic glove has been designed to detect finger and wrist motion and it has an open palmar surface to give maximum motor and sensory input. The glove comes in ten different sizes to allow for treatment of patients from the age of five to adult. The TUTOR system is also used for victims of Parkinson’s disease, MS, CP, brain/spinal cord injuries and other upper and lower limb disabilities. Currently in use in leading U.S. and European rehabilitation hospitals and clinics the TUTORs can also assist patients that are homebound through the use of telerehabilitation. See WWW.MEDITOUCH.CO.IL for more information.