What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy has been a traditional medical intervention for over 75 years. Physical Therapy encompasses a spectrum of services: examination, intervention, consultation, education and research. Examination includes taking a history, systems review and a variety of tests and measures in order to determine diagnosis, prognosis and intervention. Physical therapists assess aerobic capacity and endurance, joint motion and integrity, muscle strength, arousal and cognition, assistive and adaptive devices, cranial nerve integrity, environmental barriers, body mechanics, gait, locomotion, balance, skin integrity, motor function, neuromotor development and sensory integration, orthotics, protective and prosthetic devices, pain, posture, reflexes, circulation and edema. Physical therapists alleviate impairment and functional limitation by designing, implementing and modifying therapeutic interventions that include: therapeutic exercise, functional training, manual therapy, massage, gait train
Physical Therapy is the testing, examining and evaluation of individuals for impairments, movement dysfunctions and disabilities to determine a diagnosis, and plan of care to alleviate those impairments, movement dysfunctions, or disabilities. This is done through a variety of interventions including soft tissue and joint mobilization, individually designed exercise programs, and the use of modalities.
Physical Therapy is defined as rehabilitation of the patient in which pain is alleviated, movement is maximized and function is restored. With a wide array of therapeutic treatments at their disposal, physical therapists are able to develop a plan of care which best serves the individual. These therapy programs are specifically tailored with personal goals in mind in order to safely and quickly return each patient to their desired level of function. An emphasis is also placed on educating the patient, greatly increasing long-term rehabilitation potential and aiding in the prevention of future injury.
Physical Therapy is a licensed health care profession that specializes in the treatment of musculoskeletal as well as neurological conditions. Treatment includes therapeutic exercise, manual therapy/massage, as well as the use of modalities (heat, cold, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, etc.). The treatment is focused towards returning the patient to their prior level of function.
