What is Physical Therapy?

• It is a healthcare profession/specialty involved with evaluating, diagnosing, managing, and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
  • It involves assessing individuals and providing treatment for their condition to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and function throughout life
  • This includes providing treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors
• Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the areas of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation.
• Physical therapy is performed by either a physical therapist (PT) or an assistant (PTA) acting under a PT’s direction. Currently, physical therapists graduate with a Master’s or Doctorate degree. Physical therapist assistants have an associate degree. Both professions are state-licensed.
• People usually come to PT with a prescription from their doctor.
• PT is typically covered under most medical insurance plans.
• There are a variety of settings for PT: outpatient clinics or offices, hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, schools, skilled nursing facilities, extended care facilities, hospices, private homes, industrial workplaces or other occupational environments, fitness centers, and sport training facilities.
• There are a variety of specialties within PT, including orthopedic, neurologic, pediatrics, geriatrics, vestibular, cardiopulmonary, sports medicine, wound management, and women’s health.

For What to Expect in Physical Therapy, click here.