Occupational therapy is not as well-known as physical therapy so it makes sense that there will be common misunderstandings about it. Unfortunately, these misunderstandings can be harmful in the long run by discouraging patients from having a look at this option.
Needless to say, we must demystify the myths surrounding this therapeutic approach. Thus, as a provider of physiotherapy at Outcomes Therapy, we have listed down some of its most common myths:
- Occupational therapy will help me find a job.
There may be a grain of truth to this, but only just, because your occupational therapist will not do the legwork for you when you have a more pressing need at the moment, that is, your condition and help you regain the skills you will need to live independently. Rather, these skills can help you in your job-hunting process in the future. - Physical therapy is more important than occupational therapy.
While it is true that there is overlap between the two, the importance of one is just insofar as the current needs of the patient. For instance, physical therapy addresses function restoration while occupational therapy focuses on skill rebuilding and strategy adaptation. - Occupational therapy is only for children with disabilities.
Occupational therapy is beneficial for everyone. The only criteria required to receive it is a thorough evaluation that identifies your need for one. Some of the most common reasons for this include cognitive decline, a developmental disability, injury, an accident that threatens their functional independence.