While there is some overlap between Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physiotherapy (PT), they are two distinct healthcare professions with different focuses and goals.
Occupational therapy focuses on supporting individuals to achieve their goals, help with community access support and engage in meaningful activities despite physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges. This may include activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, and eating, as well as work, leisure, and social activities. OTs use a holistic approach to assess the individual’s needs and provide interventions such as Occupational Therapy adaptive equipment for cooking and other home activities, environmental modifications, and training in functional tasks.
Physiotherapy, on the other hand, focuses on the physical therapies and management of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary conditions. This may involve restoring movement, reducing pain, improving strength and flexibility, and preventing injury. PTs use a range of interventions such as exercise therapy, manual therapy, and hydrotherapy to achieve these goals. You can find out more about the differences between physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy in disability in our guide all about physiotherapy or read about NDIS physiotherapy services here.