Tag: what’s the difference

7-minute read

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Most people have heard of physical therapy (PT)—it’s the go-to after surgeries, sprains, or sports injuries. But what about speech therapy (ST) or occupational therapy (OT)? Speech therapy sounds fairly self-explanatory. Occupational therapy, however, often stumps people—it has nothing to do with finding a job. Instead, it’s one of the most essential and versatile forms of rehabilitation therapy, helping people reclaim their independence in daily life.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the definitions of rehabilitation, dive into each therapy discipline, explore how they differ, and explain how they often work together to help people heal and thrive. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, student, or professional, this guide will give you a clear overview—and help you choose the right therapy for your or your loved one’s needs.

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🔍 What Is Rehabilitation Therapy?

Rehabilitation therapy refers to a broad spectrum of services designed to help individuals recover or improve their physical, cognitive, or communicative abilities after injury, illness, surgery, or developmental delays. The goal is to enhance function and promote independence.

There are three core types of rehabilitation therapy:

• Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Physical Therapy (PT)
• Speech Therapy (ST)

Each plays a vital, distinct role in helping patients rehabilitate and regain their quality of life.

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✋ Occupational Therapy (OT)

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy helps individuals develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. This may include anything from getting dressed, cooking, and driving to using adaptive equipment or managing sensory input.

Despite its name, “occupational” therapy is not job coaching—“occupations” in OT refer to meaningful everyday activities.

Scope of OT

Occupational therapists focus on:

• Activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Fine motor coordination
• Sensory processing
• Cognitive rehab
• Assistive technology & adaptive equipment
• Environmental modifications
• Return-to-work or school programs

Conditions Treated by OT

• Stroke and brain injury
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Arthritis
• Hand and upper extremity injuries
• Developmental delays
• Mental health challenges
• Dementia
• Sensory integration dysfunction

➡️ American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Resource

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🏃 Physical Therapy (PT)

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy addresses movement impairments, helping people improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore physical function. PTs use targeted exercise, manual therapy, and modalities like electrical stimulation or ultrasound.

Scope of PT

• Mobility training
• Strength and endurance rehab
• Balance and fall prevention
• Pain management
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• Neuromuscular re-education

Conditions Treated by PT

• Orthopedic injuries (e.g., ACL tears, fractures)
• Post-operative rehab (joint replacements)
• Stroke and neurological disorders
• Chronic pain (e.g., fibromyalgia)
• Sports injuries
• Vestibular and balance disorders

➡️ American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Resource

📘 Coming October (just in time for PT Month): Our PT Pocket Guide—a practical, intervention-focused quick reference for PTs on the go.

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🗣️ Speech Therapy (ST)

What Is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy (also called speech-language pathology or SLP) targets communication and swallowing disorders. It helps individuals of all ages speak more clearly, understand and express language, and eat and swallow safely.

Scope of ST

• Speech sound production
• Language comprehension and expression
• Social communication
• Voice therapy
• Fluency (e.g., stuttering)
• Swallowing and feeding
• Cognitive communication skills

Conditions Treated by ST

• Stroke, TBI, and neurological conditions
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Developmental delays
• Parkinson’s disease
• Aphasia
• Dysphagia (swallowing disorders)

➡️ American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Resource

📘 Launching in May for Better Hearing and Speech Month: Our ST Pocket Guide—a portable clinical reference for speech therapists in any setting.

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🤝 How OT, PT, and ST Work Together

While each therapy discipline has its own specialty, rehabilitation works best as a team. Many patients—especially those recovering from strokes, brain injuries, or surgeries—receive all three services in a coordinated plan.

This interdisciplinary approach ensures that each aspect of recovery is addressed:

• PT restores strength and movement.
• OT helps patients function in everyday life.
• ST ensures they can communicate and eat safely.

Therapists frequently collaborate, update one another, and co-treat when appropriate to deliver holistic, patient-centered care.

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🧭 Choosing the Right Therapy for You

Not sure which therapy you need? Here’s a quick guide:

Your Goal	Best Fit
Regain movement and strength?	PT
Improve daily living or fine motor skills?	OT
Work on speech, communication, or swallowing?	ST

In many cases, a combination of therapies may be most effective. If you’re unsure, speak with your physician or request an evaluation from a rehab therapist—they’ll guide you to the right service(s) for your goals.

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📘 Conclusion & Free Download

Rehabilitation therapy is a powerful tool for healing, restoring function, and regaining independence. While PT, OT, and ST each serve different roles, they often work best when combined—providing a full-spectrum approach to recovery.

Whether you’re new to the world of rehab or already working in the field, understanding these differences is key to getting the right help.

✨ Want a quick reference sheet you can print or keep on hand? 

Subscribe and Download our free Rehab Therapy Quick Reference Sheets

Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and keep an eye out for our OT Pocket Guide (April), ST Pocket Guide (May), and PT Pocket Guide (October)—each packed with clinical tools, checklists, and intervention-based tips for everyday use.