Physical therapist vs occupational therapist

Physical therapists and occupational therapists often work side by side, especially in hospitals, rehabilitation and schools, and both are licensed in every state. The simplest way to describe the difference is by aim: physical therapy is organized around movement, pain and physical function, while occupational therapy is organized around the activities of daily life, and AOTA describes it as provided wherever daily activities occur.

Exercise shows the difference. Physical therapy acts and the model act list therapeutic exercise as a core intervention. Occupational therapy acts tend to frame exercise around a person's ability to carry out activities: Alabama's statute lists therapeutic use of occupations, exercises and activities, and New York's speaks of purposeful activities.

On the topics we have reviewed, both generally include soft tissue work, taping, electrical stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound and photobiomodulation. They part on spinal manipulation, which some physical therapy acts allow and occupational therapy acts that address it exclude, as Maryland's does, and on diagnosis: physical therapists examine and diagnose, while Texas's occupational therapy act states that the practice does not include diagnosis.

Access differs too. Every state allows some form of direct access to a physical therapist. For occupational therapy it depends on the state: Kansas allows evaluation and treatment without a referral with conditions, New York allows limited treatment for experienced therapists, and Washington still requires referral for medical cases.