Physical therapy PT , also known as physiotherapy , is a healthcare profession , as well as the care provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through patient education , physical intervention, disease prevention , and health promotion. Physical therapist is the term used for such professionals in the United States, and physiotherapist is the term used in many other countries. The career has many specialties including musculoskeletal , orthopedics , cardiopulmonary , neurology , endocrinology , sports medicine , geriatrics , pediatrics , women's health , wound care and electromyography.
PTs practice in many settings, both public and private. In addition to clinical practice, other aspects of physical therapy practice include research, education, consultation, and health administration. Physical therapy is provided as a primary care treatment or alongside, or in conjunction with, other medical services.
In some jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, physical therapists may have the authority to prescribe medication. Physical therapy addresses the illnesses or injuries that limit a person's abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
Physical therapists can use sonography to diagnose and manage common musculoskeletal, nerve, and pulmonary conditions. PT management commonly includes prescription of or assistance with specific exercises, manual therapy , and manipulation, mechanical devices such as traction, education, electrophysical modalities which include heat, cold, electricity, sound waves, radiation, assistive devices, prostheses, orthoses, and other interventions. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles, providing services to individuals and populations to develop, maintain, and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan.
This includes providing treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease, or environmental factors. Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy. Physical therapy is a professional career that has many specialties including musculoskeletal , orthopedics , cardiopulmonary , neurology , endocrinology , sports medicine , geriatrics , pediatrics , women's health , wound care and electromyography.
