Knee pain can be extremely debilitating and hinder your ability to function and move in your day to day life. A knee pain doctor may evaluate your knee pain and prescribe a broad range of treatments. Popular options include injections, occupational therapy, and physical therapy for knee pain in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
Understanding the Differences between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
There is much confusion about the role that an occupational therapist plays in helping clients recover from an injury or a health condition. What often adds to the confusion is that an occupational therapist and a physical therapist may be part of an individual’s recovery and wellness program. Both specialists provide critical assistance in helping clients perform the daily tasks with which they are having difficulty. However, there are differences in the approach taken by an occupational therapist as compared to a physical therapist.
If you would like to know more about physical therapy knee pain Pottstown, PA, please call the Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania.
The Main Difference between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
There is one main difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy:
- An occupational therapist focuses on assisting their client in being able to perform activities of daily living.
- A physical therapist focuses on assisting their client in being able to maximize their physical range of motion.
The Role of an Occupational Therapist
Our occupational therapist treats their client, not their client’s symptoms. Whether the client is recovering from an injury or has developed a cognitive or developmental disability that affects their behavior, emotions, or motor skills, the occupational therapist helps reduce their challenges.
An occupational therapist takes a holistic approach when helping their client. This includes considering the ways in which the client’s life has been negatively impacted by their condition or disability. The occupational therapist will also consider the client’s home and work environment, their (optimum) daily routine, any physical rehabilitation they are undergoing, upcoming surgical procedures, and much more.
The Role of a Physical Therapist
A physical therapist treats their client’s physical injury or condition. They work with the patient using a variety of physical exercises and stretching routines to help them reduce their pain as well as increase their range of motion, overall mobility, and align the body. A physical therapist’s main goal is to use physical manipulation, massage, and exercises to help the client regain maximum wellness.
Physical therapy for knee pain in Pottstown, PA can be one of the best treatment options to alleviate some or all of acute or chronic knee pain. You may be recommended to go to one to three sessions per week for several months – depending on the severity of your condition.
When the Treatment by a Physical Therapist and an Occupational Therapist Overlap
Though there are many differences between the treatment offered by a physical therapist and an occupational therapist, there are some overlaps. They are as follows:
- A physical therapist and an occupational therapist teach clients how to avoid re-injuring themselves as well as how to prevent incurring new injuries.
- A physical therapist and an occupational therapist teach clients how the body heals and how their recovery may progress.
- A physical therapist and an occupational therapist teach clients how to perform their daily activities and live as independently as possible.
- A physical therapist and an occupational therapist treat clients in conjunction with other treatment they may be receiving. For example, they will help the clients engage in a wellness program that reflects the guidance of the patient’s physician or surgeon. Neither a physical therapist nor an occupational therapist will treat the client in a way that is contrary to the doctor’s orders.
Do You Need Physical Therapy for Knee Pain and Are in Pottstown, PA?
If you believe you can benefit from going to physical therapy for knee pain in Pottstown, PA, please call the Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania.