What Is Occupational Therapy?

In 2025, Mobile Therapy Specialists expanded its services to include an in-house Occupational Therapy (OT) Department.

But what is OT and how does it differ from PT? Do I need OT? Will insurance cover it?

Here to answer these questions is one of MTS’s very own Occupational Therapists!

David Chan, OTR/L

“Hi – My name is David and I am an occupational therapist with MTS! I am excited to share more about the profession and what occupational therapy (OT) means to me. 

OT can be such a broad conversation because it helps people of all ages develop, regain, or maintain their skills to improve their activities of daily living. OTs work with all kinds of conditions or disabilities, which can include stroke, Parkinson’s disease, hip or knee replacements, spinal injuries, autism, and other age-related diseases. 

With MTS, our first visit usually includes the assessment and evaluation of the patient’s needs, their abilities, and the home environment. With the patient’s involvement during the assessment, we can develop goals, put a plan of care together for the future visits, and identify the type of interventions needed. OTs can educate and teach new techniques to complete certain functional or daily activities, suggest modifications in the home environment to provide a more safe way of doing things, suggest and educate someone in using different assistive devices, and also use specific exercises to regain muscular functions. And with MTS, each patient will have an individualized plan and goals. 

Examples of an OT session can be learning to use a sock aid and a reacher to put on socks, shoes and pants again. Or it can be learning a new technique to get on the toilet or in a tub or shower in a safer way. We can also work on energy conservation techniques to make a simple meal again. Or maybe it’s simply strengthening the arms in order to make them stronger and more stable with everyday functional needs.”

So how is OT different from PT? 

“Well, OT usually focuses on function and daily activities, making sure the patient is able to complete a specific task as safely and independently as possible. PTs usually focus on overall body mechanics and being able to improve in movement, strength, balance, and mobility. Yes, this means sometimes PT and OT may overlap a bit, but the goals of each discipline and what they want to achieve are unique. The good news is that both PT and OT are covered by insurance and you can have the benefits of both disciplines building a better you!”

If you or a loved one could benefit from Occupational Therapy care, don’t hesitate to contact our front desk team to learn more! 949.529.1567