Physical and occupational therapists are medical professionals who help people who have physical injuries or impairments heal and recover from those injuries.

As a physical or occupational therapist, your main role is to provide medical treatment to patients who have been injured and aide them in being able to return to the best physical condition possible. As a PT, you work with patients to heal the impaired body part. You evaluate patients and develop a treatment plan that helps reduce pain, tries to lessen the need for surgery, or regain optimal function.  You will also be licensed to apply and remove assistive devices.  As an occupational therapist, you will work with physical therapists to provide intervention activities to help patients recover.  As an OT, you will evaluate your patients’ home and work environments and provide treatment so they are better able to function in those environments.