When many people are told they need some therapy after an injury, most may think of physical therapy, but they may actually need occupational therapy.

Guthrie County Hospital Rehabilitation Services Director and Occupational Therapist Rory Johnston says that while both work with patients to improve or recover functionality after injuries, there are some differences. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio a little bit about that.

“Physical therapy is going to work on balance. They’re going to work on gait training, things like that. And occupational therapy is going to work more on problem solving and adapting, those things that you need to do (in everyday life).”

Johnston mentions that physical therapy usually works with sports injuries, or working on certain larger joints and parts of the body, while occupational therapy works with more fine motor skills, as well as helping those with developmental problems to develop those fine motor skills. He adds that at Guthrie County Hospital, he works with upper extremity issues, while the physical therapy department sees patients needing work in other areas of the body, but that there can be cases where a patient needs help from both departments.