At Functional Transformation Mobile Rehab, our goal in Occupational Therapy is to restore your ability to perform daily tasks as independently as possible. These tasks include basic activities essential to daily living, as well as the instrumental activities of daily living.
When your doctor recommends that you seek out therapy in order to fully recover from a physical issue, who do you go to – a Physical Therapist, or an Occupational Therapist? You may think that a Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist both perform the same tasks, but there are actually some clear differences between the two.
If you have recently suffered an injury, are recovering from a major surgery, or perhaps have just gotten over a debilitating illness, your doctor may recommend that you see a physical therapist. This industry professional will develop a plan for you that involves a unique blend of exercise, hands-on care, and education. All of these tools will be used to help you improve your range of motion (ROM), decrease pain, and increase your strength, balance, and endurance.
When you are unable to move around like you used to after an injury, surgery, or illness, a physical therapist can help you restore your gross motor function, so that you are able to move just as well as you did before.
If you are having trouble performing the ADLs we mentioned above, then you may need the services of an Occupational Therapist instead. These professionals work with a variety of patients, from children to the elderly. While the need for an Occupational Therapist may arise after an injury, illness, or surgery, this line of work differs from that of a Physical Therapist.
Simply put, Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists focus on different areas of the body. A Physical Therapist will have better experience and training when it comes to treating lower extremity injuries, while an Occupational Therapist will be better equipped to treat upper extremity injuries, especially if these injuries have impacted your ADLs. However, it should be noted that a Physical Therapist can provide treatment for upper extremity injuries as well, primarily if there is an issue in terms of ROM or strength.
Injuries/Ailments better suited for Occupational Therapists
Injuries/Ailments better suited for Physical Therapists
You may notice some overlap between the two professions. While both a Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist will be equipped to handle the same issues, it is ultimately up to you to decide who you will go to for your injury. Functional Transformation Mobile Rehab can make things easy with our convenient services and helpful information.
One of the downsides of a Physical Therapist is location constraints. Oftentimes, your Physical Therapist will work at a facility that requires you to travel on your own time. If you have limited mobility, chances are you can’t easily commute to this location on a regular basis. This can make keeping up with your therapy routine and getting better seem impossible.
But what if your therapist could come to you? Functional Transformation Mobile Rehab can do just that! Our primary goal is your recovery, and we work to make that attainable. We come to your home and perform our services in the comfort of your space, which effectively eliminates the worry and hassle of a regular commute to your therapist. We can develop a specialized program that works within the range of your capabilities while also maintaining the goal of increasing your mobility so that you can perform your daily tasks without issue.
Functional Transformation Mobile Rehab cares deeply about each of our patients, and we do everything we can to ensure a full recovery. We want you to go back to living and enjoying your life just as much as you do, which is why we explore all possible routes in terms of regained mobility.
The American Occupation Therapy Foundation is a great place to start. This is a charitable, scientific, and educational organization that works to support occupational therapy research and better the public understanding of this field. The American Occupation Therapy Foundation hosts a variety of grants, scholarships, and programs for those in need and publishes a quarterly journal to help increase public awareness.
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) offers online resources for educators and students in terms of what is required for a certification in Occupational Therapy, and how to go about obtaining a certification. Certified Occupational Therapists can check their certification status through NBCOT’s website, and also use the tools there to maintain their certifications.
At Functional Transformation Mobile Rehab, our Occupational Therapists are specially trained and certified to handle your issue, regardless of how rare or complex it may be. We can consult with you about possible regimes that can be implemented that will improve your mobility and allow you to perform daily activities with ease. Contact our team today to get started:
Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm
Saturday – Sunday: as needed
Phone: 941-830-3749
Fax: 941-460-4494
Areas Serviced
Sarasota, Venice, Port Charlotte, Englewood, Osprey, Nokomis, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Fruitville, Siesta Key, North Port, Manasota Key, Punta Gorda, Rotonda West
