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Updated Aug 4, 2009
Go to APTA consumer website: http://www.apta.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Consumers/consumer1.htm
Free Publication for Consumers describing benefits of PT: For Your Health (large pdf file)
What do Physical Therapists do?
Physical therapists (PTs) provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.
Therapists examine patients’ medical histories and then test and measure the patients’ strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function. They also determine patients’ ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after injury or illness. Next, physical therapists develop treatment plans describing a treatment strategy, its purpose, and its anticipated outcome. Physical therapist assistants, under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, may be involved in implementing treatment plans with patients. Physical therapist aides perform routine support tasks, as directed by the therapist.
Treatment often includes exercise for patients who have been immobilized and lack flexibility, strength, or endurance. Physical therapists encourage patients to use their own muscles to increase their flexibility and range of motion before finally advancing to other exercises that improve strength, balance, coordination, and endurance. The goal is to improve how an individual functions at work and at home.
Physical therapists also use electrical stimulation, hot packs or cold compresses, and ultrasound to relieve pain and reduce swelling. They may use traction or deep-tissue massage to relieve pain. Therapists also teach patients to use assistive and adaptive devices, such as crutches, prostheses, and wheelchairs. They also may show patients exercises to do at home to expedite their recovery.
As treatment continues, physical therapists document the patient’s progress, conduct periodic examinations, and modify treatments when necessary. Besides tracking the patient’s progress, such documentation identifies areas requiring more or less attention.
Physical therapists often consult and practice with a variety of other professionals, such as physicians, dentists, nurses, educators, social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists.
Some physical therapists treat a wide range of ailments; others specialize in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy.
Training and Licensure
All States require physical therapists to pass a licensure exam before they can practice, after graduating from an accredited physical therapist educational program. The state board of physical therapy webpage can be found at: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/cwp/view.asp?a=1104&q=433065
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, (www.apta.org) there were 203 accredited physical therapist programs in 2003. Of the accredited programs, 113 offered master’s degrees, and 90 offered doctoral degrees. All physical therapist programs seeking accreditation are required to offer degrees at the master’s degree level and above, in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Physical therapist programs start with basic science courses such as biology, chemistry, and physics and then introduce specialized courses, including biomechanics, neuroanatomy, human growth and development, manifestations of disease, examination techniques, and therapeutic procedures. Besides getting classroom and laboratory instruction, students receive supervised clinical experience. Among the courses that are useful when one applies to a physical therapist educational program are anatomy, biology, chemistry, social science, mathematics, and physics. Before granting admission, many professional education programs require experience as a volunteer in a physical therapy department of a hospital or clinic.
Physical therapists should have strong interpersonal skills in order to be able to educate patients about their physical therapy treatments. PTs also should be compassionate and possess a desire to help patients. Similar traits are needed to interact with the patient’s family.
Physical therapists are expected to continue their professional development by participating in continuing education courses and workshops. In fact, a number of States require continuing education as a condition of maintaining one’s licensure.
This information is from the US Department of Labor http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm
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The Following resources listed below are from the American Physical Therapy Association
| BALANCE & FALLS | |
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Balance & Falls PTs can help prevent falls with evaluation and development of individualized treatment plans including exercises to improve strength, mobility, and balance. Download |
| CARDIOPULMONARY | |
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Heart Health High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco, and obesity are contributors to the leading cause (29%) of death in the United States: heart disease. They are also contributors to major causes of disability. Access |
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In Flight Health Hazards Long flights in cramped quarters can cause cramping and even lead to blood clots. Access |
| DIABETES | |
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Diabetes: A PT Perspective Following an appropriate exercise program, and doing it safely, can be key in preventing type 2 diabetes for Americans at high risk for the disease. Access |
| NEUROLOGY | |
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Stroke: A PT Perspective PTs play an important role in prevention and treatment of strokes, the leading cause of long-term disability in America. Access |
| ORTHOPAEDIC | |
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Backpack: Does Your Child's Backpack Make the Grade? Tips on the right and wrong ways to wear a backpack. Download |
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Cycling: Bike Right! Bike Fit! Tips about the importance of proper bike fit in preventing pain and injury, including cycling safety. Download |
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Golf: PT Tips to Get You Back on the Green Posture, fitness, and flexibility are key to a better golf game and to avoiding injuries. Access |
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Knee: Prevent ACL Injuries PTs tips to avoid Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries. Download |
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Knee: Injury Prevention for Basketball Players Suggested exercises to help prevent basketball-related knee injuries. Download |
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Posture: Tips for Mom Posture tips for lifting and holding a child, as well as for picking up toys and pushing a stroller. Download |
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Shoulder and Rotator Cuff: A PT Perspective The shoulder's wide and varied range of motion makes it extraordinarily flexible, but also unstable. The expertise of a PT can help prevent and treat shoulder injuries. Access |
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Youth Sports Injury Prevention PTs treat, manage, and help prevent overuse or traumatic injuries resulting from sports activities. Access |
| REPETITIVE STRESS INJURY | |
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Repetitive Stress Injury Repetitive stress injury (RSI) is an overuse injury, sometimes caused by frequent use of hand-held devices (including video games), that occurs when too much stress is placed on a joint or other tissue. Access |
| WELLNESS | |
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Obesity PTs play dual roles in the fight against obesity: (1) helping prevent obesity and maintain weight loss and (2) treating those who are already overweight or obese for related conditions and side effects. Access |
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Walking: 30 Minutes for Life Walking briskly for 30 minutes each day could help improve the body's ability to generate energy, which leads to slowing, and possibly reversing, the aging process. It is also a great low impact exercise for developing and maintaining cardiovascular fitness. Download |
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Walking: Walking for Exercise Tips from physical therapists about walking for exercise, including a ready-to-use walking log. Download |
