Physical Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy vs

Physical Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy

When thinking about physical therapy, a person now thinks of therapists who work with individuals in order to help them regain use of muscles after injury has occurred. But, how did physical therapy begin? When did the first doctors start using massage, hydrotherapy, and manual therapy or manipulation to begin treating patients?

Orthopedics began in the late 18th century with the invention of the gymnasticon which was developed to treat gout by exercising an individual's joints, which is similar to physical therapy of today. One of the first documented facilities that offered what we now call physical therapy was the "Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics." This facility was founded by Henrik Ling in Sweden and offered massage, exercise, and manipulation for treatment of injured body parts. Official registration of physical therapists began in 1887 in Sweden, with other countries following suit.

Towards the end of the 19th century what is now known as modern physical therapy was established in Britain. Treatment of children who had disabilities with use of massage and physical exercise followed in the United States and gained further promotion during the Polio outbreak of the early 1900s.

The first published research about the benefits of physical therapy came in 1921 in the United States. During this same year Mary McMillan founded the Physical Therapy Association. During the 1940s the main treatment offered by physical therapy consisted of traction, massage, and special exercises. It was late in the 1950s when physical therapists started working outside the hospital setting and became a separate medical profession altogether as we see it today.

As a physical therapist, a person will work with a patient to treat their injury and to help prevent further injuries from occurring. Physical therapist will diagnose and treat the physical source of the issue the person is having, which may include injured tissues and structures. A physical therapist will undergo extensive training about the musculoskeletal system in order to be able to diagnose and treat injuries to this area.

Occupational therapist will primarily work with a patient to improve their functional abilities. Occupational therapy does not treat a person's injuries, but rather teaches a person how to be more independent and accomplish their daily activities. Normally, occupational therapists will work with patients that have sustained a recent injury or have some type of physical impairment. Another aspect of the occupational therapist's job will be to evaluate the patient's home and work space and suggest adaptations for each to allow for better quality of life for the patient.

These two occupations are distinctly different, yet at times, a patient may work with both an occupational therapist and a physical therapist during their rehabilitation. During the rehabilitation process the occupational and physical therapists will need to work together to educate the patient on ways to improve their daily living skills as well as how to heal their bodies. In the case of an injury, a person will find that the best overall care will come from having both types of therapists involved. This is because both occupational therapists and physical therapists are specially trained in their area of expertise.

POST COMMENT

Being Familiar with How Would Hypnotherapy Function What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? Gene therapy to cure AIDS Seroquel: For Therapy Thought Issues And Bipolar Disorder Stone Therapy And The Many Benefits Can Mesotherapy Work Miracles? Discovering Methods to Use Scripts Meant for Hypnotherapy Discover a Positive Path of Healing With Natural Therapy Courses Remedy for Varicose and Spider Veins with the help of Sclerotherapy Seasonal Affective Disorder Light Therapy Panic Attacks: The Mindfulness Therapy Approach to Anxiety Using Light Therapy To Treat Seasonal Affective Disorders Laser vein therapy