What is Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy is a dynamic profession with an established theoretical and science based with widespread clinical application in the restoration, maintenance and promotion of optimal physical function.
Physical therapists are the movement and functional specialist in the healthcare delivery system.
Physical therapists:
- Diagnosis and manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities.
- Restore, maintain, and promote not only optimal physical function but optimal wellness, fitness and optimal quality of life as it relates to movement and health.
- Prevent the onset, symptoms, and progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities that may result from diseases, disorders, conditions or injuries.
Physical therapists are essential participants in the health care delivery system. Physical therapists assume leadership in rehabilitation, prevention and health maintenance, and programs that promote health, wellness, and fitness. Physical Therapists also play an important role both in developing standards for physical therapy practice and developing healthcare policy to ensure availability, accessibility and optimal delivery of physical therapy services. Physical Therapy is covered by federal, state, and private insurance plans. The positive impact of physical therapist services on health-related quality of life is well accepted.
Physical therapists can specialize in many of the areas of medicine. Physical Therapists can become board certified in Neurology, Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Orthopaedics, Women's Health, Cardiovascular, Cardiopulmonary and Sports Physical Therapy.
