A Physical Therapist is a health professional with at least a 4-year
degree that specializes in the evaluation and treatment of various
diagnoses that limit physical functioning. A Physical Therapist evaluates
components of movement including:
Strength
Range of motion
Flexibility
Balance
Posture
Body mechanics
Coordination
Endurance
General mobility (walking, stair climbing, getting in and out of bed
or chairs)
After evaluation, the Physical Therapist will develop a treatment
program unique to each individual to help decrease deficits and restore
function.
A Physical Therapist may work in a variety of settings:
A clinic treating sports and orthopedic injuries
A clinic that specializes in workplace injuries
A hospital treating patients who have had surgeries, illnesses,
strokes or other neurological events that limit function
A school working with children who have neurological or orthopedic
disabilities
A facility that helps people return home after illness or injury
An inpatient rehabilitation facility that provides intensive therapy
to individuals who need improved function before they return home after
a serious illness or injury
In a patient's home, working with many of the conditions listed
above with people who cannot travel outside of their homes
Important components of every treatment program include:
Education about the cause of the problem
Instruction in exercises to improve function
Patient participation. Compliance and participation by each patient
is crucial to the success of the therapy program.
