Occupational therapy helps people perform daily tasks, while physical therapy focuses on movement and strength. Understanding their differences can help guide your career and education choices.
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Approved and verified accurate by the Director of Health Sciences of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions on July 31, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) are both types of rehabilitative therapies, but they differ greatly in focus. Whereas physical therapy focuses on improving movement, mobility and strength, occupational therapy focuses on performing daily tasks more easily. In comparing occupational therapy vs. physical therapy, you’ll find that a physical therapist emphasizes stretches and exercises, whereas an occupational therapist emphasizes environmental modifications and the motor skills necessary to complete the activities of daily living (ADLs).1
If you want to help people recover after an illness, injury or surgery, you might pursue a career as an occupational therapist or a physical therapist. While these two forms of therapy overlap, they are distinct from each other. Knowing the differences between occupational and physical therapy can help you determine which field to enter, as well as which degree to earn.
An occupational therapist treats people with issues that may stem from injury, illness or developmental or cognitive disabilities. These issues may affect motor skills, behaviors or emotions.
The purpose of occupational therapy is to help individuals of all ages participate in the activities (or "occupations") that are meaningful and necessary for daily life.
Occupational therapy takes a holistic approach. The therapist is concerned not only with impairments to physical mobility but also client's mental health, life, work and environment.
In other words, this profession explores the whole person, including their lifestyle, independence level and goals. OT involves developing skills and adaptations to complete daily activities despite physical, cognitive or socioemotional impairments.
What is an occupational therapy career pathway like? There are two main options within this field: occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant.
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) provide treatments to clients based on the treatment plan developed by the OT. They may guide clients in therapeutic activities and help teach clients new ways of completing everyday tasks to compensate for physical or cognitive deficits. OTAs can also help clients learn how to use adaptive equipment, and they keep track of their clients’ progress.
Occupational therapists first conduct a thorough evaluation of their client’s current level of functioning, and they discuss the client’s goals. They then develop a treatment plan that helps guide clients toward those goals. An occupational therapist might help a stroke survivor relearn how to get dressed, for example. They also evaluate the client’s home, workplace or school to identify needed modifications.
Occupational therapy professionals may work in a variety of settings. Some may be employed by hospitals or they may work in mental health settings. Occupational therapy professionals can work in inpatient or outpatient settings, along with schools. They may travel to clients’ homes to evaluate the environment.2
Physical therapy focuses on the patient’s specific physical impairment. The physical therapist looks at the biomechanical aspects of an injury and tries to restore the impaired function by working on mobility or strength training.
These professionals also ensure that their patients use correct biomechanics. They help the patient learn exercises and movements that can decrease pain and improve motion.
Physical therapists want to get their patients moving as naturally as possible. They may use targeted exercises, stretches, and manual therapies to improve mobility. Other techniques, such as dry needling, may also be part of a physical therapy regimen.
Physical therapy focuses on helping people prevent further injury, especially when their biomechanics are altered. This type of therapy aims to help people avoid surgery (or, alternatively, recover well from surgery) and decrease their dependence on medications. This means that when you have a particular injury, the physical therapist will create a specific treatment program to help restore function, strength, flexibility and range of motion in the affected area.
Another task of physical therapists is to teach patients how to work on stretches and exercises at home between PT sessions. They may need to motivate their patients, explaining why it’s beneficial to work on function and movement at home to support their recovery.
The two main career options within PT are physical therapist and physical therapist assistant (PTA). Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of physical therapists, helping patients recover from conditions and injuries. PTAs document treatment sessions, help patients perform prescribed exercises and provide hands-on treatments such as soft tissue work, joint mobilization and assisted stretching.
Physical therapists (PT) perform a thorough evaluation of patients, assessing their movement and functional abilities before developing an individualized treatment plan. They identify the stretches, exercises, hands-on therapy and equipment that would be beneficial for each patient and teach patients how to do the exercises and stretches.
In addition to these two main career options, there are several areas that PTs can get board certified in, including:
Physical therapy professionals can work in a variety of settings, including the following:4
While there are many differences, these two areas do have a lot in common. For instance, both occupational therapists and physical therapists help educate people on preventing and avoiding injuries in the future. Both therapies also focus on supporting the healing process.
Occupational therapy and physical therapy are also both fields that may attract professionals who want to help others. In physical therapy, help comes in the form of improved movement and reduced pain. In occupational therapy, help comes in the form of enhanced ability to perform daily activities now and in the future.
Some patients may work with both a physical therapist and an occupational therapist. For example, someone who has had a stroke may work with a physical therapist to build up the muscle strength to walk or hold things again while also working with an occupational therapist to help overcome obstacles to performing daily activities such as bathing, eating or dressing .
Choosing the right degree program is a personal decision that depends on your interests and goals. Think about what aspects of helping people recover are most meaningful to you. If you're interested in working with individuals to improve mobility, reduce pain, and regain physical function, physical therapy may be the right path. If you're drawn to helping people participate in everyday tasks and regain independence in their routines, occupational therapy might be a better fit. Both fields play essential roles in supporting recovery and improving quality of life.
No matter what therapy degree program you choose to pursue, get your start at Grand Canyon University by earning a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree. Or, if physical therapy appeals to you, you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with an Emphasis in Pre-Physical Therapy degree.
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