Physical Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy in Recovery from Work-Related Injuries

Both physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) play vital roles in helping workers recover from injuries, but their approaches and goals differ in key ways.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Physical therapy focuses on restoring movement and function after a work-related injury. It aims to reduce pain, increase strength, improve mobility, and enhance physical performance. PT is primarily concerned with the biomechanical aspect of recovery, targeting muscles, joints, and other components of the musculoskeletal system.

For example, if a worker has injured their back lifting heavy objects, a physical therapist might develop a treatment plan involving exercises to strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pain. The ultimate goal is to return the worker to their pre-injury physical state.

PT is commonly used for injuries such as:

Sprains, strains, and fractures

Joint injuries (shoulder, knee, etc.)

Back and neck injuries

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational therapy, on the other hand, focuses on helping workers return to their daily tasks and work responsibilities. While OT also addresses physical rehabilitation, it looks at the broader context of how an injury affects the worker’s ability to perform essential activities, both at work and in daily life.

For example, a worker who has lost hand strength due to a repetitive stress injury may receive occupational therapy to retrain fine motor skills necessary for tasks like typing or operating machinery. OT helps individuals adapt to limitations, sometimes using assistive devices or modified techniques to compensate for permanent impairments.

OT is often used for:

Hand and wrist injuries

Repetitive stress injuries

Cognitive or neurological issues affecting work performance

In summary, physical therapy focuses on improving physical capabilities and healing the body, while occupational therapy ensures that workers can perform their daily tasks and job duties despite their injury. Together, they form a comprehensive approach to recovery.

References:

Newell, A., Cherry, S., Fraser, M. (2020). Principles of Rehabilitation: Occupational and Physical Therapy. In: Nowicki, P. (eds) Orthopedic Care of Patients with Cerebral Palsy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46574-2_11

Voss, M. R., Homa, J. K., Singh, M., Seidl, J. A., & Griffitt, W. E. (2019). Outcomes of an interdisciplinary work rehabilitation program. Work (Reading, Mass.), 64(3), 507–514. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-193012