Occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy… Navigating the differences between healthcare professionals and specialized therapists can get a bit confusing! This April during Occupational Therapy Month, we wanted to highlight the occupational therapy profession and all the amazing work occupational therapists do in their communities.  

Our team of hand therapists at Spooner North Phoenix’s say, “It is not uncommon for occupational therapists to get grouped in with our physical therapist colleagues, and we are often referred to as physical therapists! I think it is important to bring awareness to our profession and the more promotion we can get out there about us and our unique differences and contributions to the therapy world, the better.”  

Check out these 10 quick facts about Occupational Therapy: 

  1. Occupational Therapy helps people of all ages to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Whether it is assisting patients with an injury, illness, or disability, occupational therapists are helping people fully engage in daily life. 
  2. Occupational therapists are experts in activity analysis! They identify personal and environmental strengths and barriers to select the appropriate match of activity demands and skills to achieve optimal outcomes.  
  3. Occupational therapy was first founded by 3 men and 3 women in 1917. 
  4. According to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), occupational therapy uses a holistic approach to look not only at the reasons a patient’s participation in activities has been affected but also at the patient’s roles and environment.
  5. Occupational therapy and physical therapy share some similarities but each have their own unique perspectives and focus areas in rehabilitation. 
  6. Aspiring occupational therapists must earn their master’s degree in occupational therapy and then pass the licensing requirements of the state they work in. 
  7. Occupational therapists ranked #10 in Best Health Care Jobs in 2021 by U.S. News and World Report! 
  8. Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, from hospitals and outpatient clinics, to schools, nursing homes, and home health services.  
  9. Occupational therapists are trained to work with a variety of diagnoses including traumatic brain injuries, autism spectrum disorder, stroke, cerebral palsy, burns, fractures, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic impairments, sensory processing disorders, developmental delays and more!   
  10. Occupational Therapy Month first started in 1980! This year’s theme is “Occupational Therapy: Passion. Purpose. Possibility.” #OTMonth  

Spooner hand therapists are occupational therapists who have extensive training in treating conditions of the upper extremity, from shoulder to fingertip! This team of specialized therapists is prepared with the knowledge, skill, and experience to manage your full recovery and help you achieve success through movement. 

Learn more about Hand Therapy at Spooner Physical Therapy. Ready to schedule an appointment? Click Here to schedule an appointment or complimentary movement screen with a Spooner physical therapist at one of our locations throughout the valley.