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Physical therapy

Physical therapists 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, then test and measure their
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, they develop treatment plans describing a
treatment strategy, the purpose, and anticipated outcome. Physical therapist
assistants, under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, may
be involved in the implementation of the treatment plan. 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. They encourage patients to use
their own muscles to further increase flexibility and range of motion before
finally advancing to other exercises improving strength, balance,
coordination, and endurance. Their goal is to improve how an individual
functions at work and 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 may also show patients exercises to do at home to
expedite their recovery.

As treatment continues, physical therapists document progress, conduct
periodic examinations, and modify treatments when necessary. Such
documentation is used to track the patient's progress, and identify 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.

In the United States, experienced physical therapists can apply to take a
specialty exam to earn board certification in any of seven sub-specialty
areas: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Clinical Electrophysiologic, Geriatric,
Neurologic, Orthopaedic, Pediatric, and Sports physical therapy. Therapists
who have board certification will have a designation such as "OCS"
(Orthopedic certified specialist) after their names. You can search a
directory of accredited specialists on the APTA website:
http://www.apta.org/Education/specialist/dir_cert_cln_pt-85-97

A number of physical therapists have found the Alexander Technique to be a
useful tool to incorporate into their practice.

In some countries, physical therapy is known as physiotherapy.

Note: When you get to OT and RT, you will see that there are many overlaps
in these fields. For example, "Hand Therapy" can be PT or OT, actually based
more on a particular medical facilities' resources. But, it does fit under
both definitions.

Qualifications

All States (in the United States) require physical therapists to pass a
licensure exam after graduating from an accredited physical therapist
educational program before they can practice.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there were 189
accredited physical therapist programs in 1999. Of the accredited programs,
24 offered bachelor?s degrees, 157 offered master?s degrees, and 8 offered
doctoral degrees. By 2002, all physical therapist programs seeking
accreditation will be 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 such
as biomechanics, neuroanatomy, human growth and development, manifestations
of disease, examination techniques, and therapeutic procedures. Besides
classroom and laboratory instruction, students receive supervised clinical
experience. Individuals who have a 4-year degree in another field and want
to be a physical therapist, should enroll in a master?s or a doctoral level
physical therapist educational program.

Competition for entrance into physical therapist educational programs is
very intense, so interested students should attain superior grades in high
school and college, especially in science courses. Courses useful when
applying to physical therapist educational programs include 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 to successfully
educate patients about their physical therapy treatments. They should also
be compassionate and possess a desire to help patients. Similar traits are
also needed to interact with the patient?s family.

Physical therapists are expected to continue professional development by
participating in continuing education courses and workshops. A number of
States require continuing education to maintain licensure.

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