What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a health care specialty involved with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The ultimate goal of physical therapy is to restore maximal functional independence to each individual patient. To achieve this goal, physical such as exercise, heat, cold, electricity, and massage are utilized. Physical therapy focuses primarily on those individuals whose potential or actual impairment is related to musculoskeletal, neuromusculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary (skin) systems. It also focuses on methods of evaluating the functions of these systems and on the selection and application of appropriate therapeutic interventions to alleviate pain; to maintain, improve, or restore function; and to prevent dysfunction. The Profession Physical therapists are specialists in evaluating and treating disorders of the human body by using physical means rather than drugs. They are legally and ethically responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating a physical therapy program. This responsibility often includes instructing patients and their families and supervising physical therapist assistants, physical therapy aides, students, and other healthcare workers in carrying out the program or selected parts of it. The physical therapist consults and works closely with the patient's physician and other healthcare practitioners in establishing treatment objectives which are realistic and consistent with the patient's needs. The physical therapist provides services aimed at preventing the onset and/or slowing the progression of conditions resulting from injury, disease and other causes. The physical therapist provides these services to people of all ages who have functional conditions resulting from back and neck injuries, sprains/strains and fractures, arthritis, burns, amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, birth defects such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida, injuries related to work and sports, and others.