What is a physical therapist?

A physical therapist is a professional practitioner whose examinations, interventions, and treatments are aimed at restoring, maintaining, and promoting optimal physical function. Physical therapists:

• Diagnose and manage movement disorders.
• Help people enhance their physical and functional abilities.
• Promote optimal wellness, fitness, and quality of life as it relates to movement and health.
• Help people prevent the onset, symptoms, and progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities.

What special skills do physical therapists have?

Physical therapists are experts in exercise and kinesiology ( the science of movement) . They have in-depth knowledge about all forms of exercise—strengthening (isometrics, isokinetics, eccentric, concentric, progressive resistive), neuromuscular reeducation, stretching, relaxation, core stabilization, breathing, and aerobics—as they relate to movement, function, health, wellness, and fitness. They have undergone many hours of training in manual skills such as joint mobilization, massage, soft tissue work, and passive range of motion. They provide in-depth examination and interventions for faulty posture, body mechanics, and ergonomics. Their specialty is functional assessment and functional training. They are unmatched in assessing joint motion and testing the strength of individual muscles.

Where do physical therapists practice?

Physical therapists provide services in hospitals, outpatient clinics and offices, fitness centers, sports training facilities, retirement communities, nursing homes, transitional care units, extended care facilities, and hospices. They practice in school settings and playgrounds with children who have disabilities.

Many physical therapists make house calls, providing rehabilitation or exercise interventions to people in their homes. Physical therapists may practice in corporate or industrial health settings or other occupational environments. Some physical therapists teach in colleges and universities or conduct research.

What is the educational background of a physical therapist?

In the United States, physical therapists hold doctorates or master degrees (DPT, MPT). Students first complete 4 years of undergraduate or baccalaureate education with a heavy science concentration (biology, chemistry, physics, and physiology) and then they enter a 3-year physical therapy program.

The physical therapist curriculum consists of study in the basic sciences, applied sciences, and clinical sciences. Students learn procedural interventions, the examination process, critical inquiry, and clinical decision making. Each program features about 1 full year of clinical practice in multiple settings.

Are there specialty areas in physical therapy?

Yes. They include orthopedics, neurology, sports physical therapy, geriatrics, pediatrics, clinical electrophysiology, and women’s health. The American Physical Therapy Association offers specialty certification in several of these areas.

Are physical therapist licensed?

Physical therapists must be licensed to practice in the United States. To be licensed, therapists must graduate from a physical therapy curriculum that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education and pass the national licensing exam in the state where they wish to practice.

Is there a national association for physical therapists?

The American Physical Therapy Association is the national organization representing physical therapists across the United States.

Do I need a referral from a physician to consult a physical therapist?

You may seek an examination by a physical therapist without a physician referral in all but two states in the United States (Indiana and Alabama). In some states, however you may you may need a referral for treatment.

Are physical therapy services covered by insurance?

Most insurance plans cover physical therapy; however, as every plan is different, it’s important to learn what your plan covers. Physical therapy coverage was written into the first Medicare legislation so it has been covered by that plan for many years. Medicaid also covers physical therapy services.