What is a physical therapist?
A physical therapist is a professional practitioner whose examinations, interventions, and treatments are aimed at restoring, maintaining, and promoting optimal physical function. Physical therapists: • Diagnose and manage movement disorders. • Help people enhance their physical and functional abilities. • Promote optimal wellness, fitness, and quality of life as it relates to movement and health. • Help people prevent the onset, symptoms, and progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities.
A Physical Therapist is a healthcare provider who is an expert in the examination and treatment of problems that affect people’s abilities to move and function. These abilities are driven by four major systems – musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, and integumentary – and physical therapists (PTs) are educated to and experienced to manage all four.
Physical therapy is the health profession that focuses on the evaluation, management, and prevention of disorders of human motion. Physical therapists, or PTs, are important members of the rehabilitation team. They evaluate and provide treatment for persons with health problems and disabilities resulting from injury, disease, overuse of muscles or tendons, pain, or loss of a body part. Physical therapy treatments and services focus on restoring the individual’s mobility (movement) and function, and preventing of further disability. Physical therapists may provide treatment and education regarding any of the following: • mobility (movement) • balance and gait retraining • heat and cold therapy and massage • activities of daily living (ADLs) • burn care • casting and splinting • wheelchair, walkers, canes, and crutches • muscle retraining • pain management • cardiovascular strengthening • use of orthotics (braces, splints) and prosthetics (artificial limbs) • exercise programs There are
Physical therapists (PTs) are a licensed health professional that evaluate a patients condition and then plans and administers treatments to promote optimal health. They provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims, orthopedic conditions, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and individuals with disabling conditions such as low back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and neurological insults.
A Physical Therapist (PT) evaluates patients and develops treatment programs in order to restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. A PT will review your medical history then test and measure your strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, and motor function. Based on clinical findings, the therapist will then determine the course of treatment necessary to achieve your desired goals and continue to assess your ability to perform activities of daily living, reintegrate into the community or workplace, or return to a specific sport.
