What Physical Therapists Do
Physical Therapists assess patient, needs, plan treatment programs and implement programs for the care of patients of all ages who are either disabled by illness or accident, or were born with a handicap. Patients range from newborn infants to the elderly. Physical therapy is prescribed for potential or actual health problems including brain damage, strokes, burns, athletic injuries and orthopedic and posture problems. Some physical therapists pursue special interest areas which include pediatrics, sports medicine, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, neurology, hand rehabilitation, oncology, and obstetrics-gynecology. Physical therapists work in hospitals, centers for the aged, public and private schools for handicapped children, sports medicine clinics, rehabilitation centers, industrial complexes, community health centers, research centers and private offices and as educators.
