What Occupational Therapy is and Occupational Therapists do is often misunderstood and unclear to many! So let's deep dive in to what we do and how we differ from physios.
What is an Occupational Therapist (O.T.)?
Occupational therapy helps you live your best life at home, at work, in the community. It’s about being able to do the things you want and have to do. That could mean helping you overcome challenges getting in/out bed, going to work, playing sport or simply doing the dishes. You may not be able to do what you want to do because of illness or injury. Ways you could be affected include physically (strength, power), cognitively (memory, thinking, concentration) or emotionally (mood, anxiety).
Occupational Therapist is a legally protected title meaning it is illegal to call yourself an Occupational Therapist unless certain criteria are met. In addition all qualifying OT courses have to meet standards set by the regulatory body, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). All OT’s are required by law to register with the HCPC who set standards for all OT’s. This ensures we work in a safe and effective way. OT’s need to apply for continued registration throughout their career and be ready to demonstrate how they meet standards of conduct, performance and ethics.
What does an Occupational Therapist Do?
An Occupational Therapist helps people of all ages overcome challenges completing everyday tasks or activities – what we call ‘occupations’.
OT's see beyond diagnoses and limitations to hopes and aspirations. They look at relationships between the activities you do every day – your occupations – alongside the challenges you face and your environment.
In collaboration with a client, OT's create a plan of goals and adjustments targeted at achieving a specific set of activities. The plan is practical, realistic and personal to you as an individual, to help you achieve the breakthroughs you need to elevate your everyday life.
This support can give people a renewed sense of purpose. It can also open up new opportunities and change the way people feel about the future.
How does Occupational Therapy differ from Physiotherapy?
While there are some similarities in how these Allied Health Professions (AHP's) work such as finding out how a brain injury or stroke impacts on each individual and working in collaboration with a client, there are fundamental differences between these two professions.
An Occupational Therapist will look at how an individual carries out a particular ‘occupation’ or activity as opposed to focusing on the component parts such as body movement. OT’s are also trained to consider the mind, body and spirit and how these parts are linked and affected by ill health.
If you have any queries or questions regarding Occupational Therapy then please head to the form and get in touch!
With warmth and health
Angela