In the medical field, many different types of therapy can make life better and more functional for people. Two common types of treatment that patients of all ages use are physical and occupational therapy. Occupational therapy can offer many people a way to improve their lives. It also can be combined with physical therapy for some conditions and situations.
Physical Therapy vs Occupational Therapy
While both physical and occupational therapists work with patients with movement problems, there are several differences between the two treatments. Physical therapists usually work with patients after an injury and help rehabilitate their bodies. Occupational therapists work with patients struggling with essential life functions and help them access tasks.
Understanding Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists work with people in a variety of age ranges, such as children with developmental disabilities, adults with motor function disorders, and the elderly. Their primary focus is assisting patients with completing basic tasks, such as eating, dressing, brushing teeth, and grooming.
How It Will Help You Manage Your Routines
When patients look for physical therapy near me, they can gain several benefits if they partner with an occupational therapy provider. Occupational therapists can help improve someone’s life by giving them tools to manage their daily routine. They can help patients be more efficient when going about their day and taking care of themselves at home.
How It Can Reduce Pain
Occupational therapists, like many physical therapists, also aim to reduce their patient’s pain when developing a treatment plan. Patients with disabilities or other physical limits may not be able to complete basic life tasks due to chronic pain. An occupational therapist can help build up strength and work on pain management techniques to make it easier to complete each task.
How It Improves Range of Motion
Providers that focus on occupational therapy and physical therapy Austin can also help patients improve their range of motion. Range of motion refers to the amount of movement each joint and muscle can move. Therapists work with patients to improve their ability to move and push their limits. This opens up more functional abilities and greater comfort.
How It Builds Strength
Working with an occupational therapist also gives patients a way to become stronger over time. Patients with low muscle tone can benefit from therapies that allow them to build stronger muscles. With more muscle tone, patients can access more tasks with their new strength and need less assistance.
How It Increases Independence
The ultimate benefit of professionals offering occupational and physical therapy Boerne is giving their patients more independence. Occupational therapists aim to give their patients more tools to live an independent lifestyle and help them get closer to that goal of not needing as much help. A well-developed treatment plan uses the goal of independence as the stopping point.
Occupational therapy can be used alongside physical therapy to treat a variety of conditions. It can also be used alone to help patients with movement difficulties develop more independence. Living independently and with less pain can give patients a better quality of life and help them improve their living situation.
