The Physical Therapist Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs also help prevent conditions associated with loss of mobility through fitness and wellness programs that achieve healthy and active lifestyles. PTs examine individuals and develop plans using treatment techniques that promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. They provide care in hospitals, clinics, schools, sports facilities, and more. PTs must have a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapy program before taking the national licensure examination. The minimum educational requirement is a master's degree, yet most educational programs now offer the doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree. Licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices.

Physical Therapy provides health care services to patients of all ages and health conditions. It serves infants with birth defects to aid motor development and functional abilities; people with burns and wounds to prevent abnormal scarring and loss of movement; survivors of strokes to regain movement, function, and independent living; patients with cancer to regain strength and relieve discomfort; patients with low back problems to reduce pain and restore function; and patients with cardiac involvement to improve endurance and achieve independence. Physical therapy also provides for preventive exercise programs and programs to promote general health and fitness, postural improvement, and industrial safety and health. With the vast changes that are occurring in the nation's health care delivery system, physical therapy too, is changing.

The physical therapy profession has kept pace with rapid advances in science and technology to provide the most effective patient treatment possible. As can be easily seen, the scope of physical therapy practice extends far beyond a generic definition and so therefore do its practitioners. Physical Therapist is not a generic term. A Physical Therapist is specially trained in the examination and treatment of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular problems that affect ones abilities to move and function as well as they can in their daily lives. Because physical therapists are required to understand a vast array of problems that can affect movement, function, and health, all physical therapists are college graduates. In fact, all current physical therapist education programs graduate students at a master's degree level, with many schools offering a clinical doctorate in physical therapy. All physical therapists must pass a national examination and be licensed by the state in which they practice. Some physical therapists seek advanced certification in a clinical specialty, such as orthopaedic, neurologic, cardiovascular and pulmonary, pediatric, geriatric, sports physical therapy, or electrophysiological testing and measurement.

As a patient, here is what you can expect from your Physical Therapist;