Physical Therapy Profession

Physical therapy is a dynamic profession with an established theoretical base and widespread clinical applications in the preservation, development, and restoration of optimal physical function. Physical therapists in the United States:

• Diagnose and manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities. 
• Prevent the onset and progression of impairments, functional and participation limitations, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease, or other causes. 
• Restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness, health, and optimal quality of life.
  
• Engage in basic science and clinical research to optimize interventions and patient outcomes. 
• Provide education to students, clinicians, consumers, and health policy makers.

As essential participants in the health care delivery system, physical therapists assume leadership roles in rehabilitation services, prevention and health maintenance programs, and professional and community organizations. They also play important roles in developing health care policy and appropriate standards for the various elements of physical therapist practice to ensure availability, accessibility, and excellence in the delivery of physical therapy services. Practice settings include, but are not limited to: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, extended care centers, industry, schools, private practices, academic programs, and research laboratories. As clinicians, physical therapists engage in an examination process that includes taking a comprehensive history, conducting a systems review, and administering tests and measures to identify potential and existing problems.

To establish diagnoses and prognoses, physical therapists perform evaluations that synthesize the examination data. Physical therapists provide interventions (the interactions and procedures used in treating and instructing patients/clients), conduct reexaminations, modify interventions as necessary to achieve anticipated goals and desired outcomes, and develop and implement discharge plans. Physical therapy includes the services provided by physical therapists and those rendered under physical therapist direction and supervision (American Physical Therapy Association). Physical therapists continue to be in demand throughout the United States. Employment opportunities are available in a variety of health care settings, educational settings and geographic locations. (Adapted from the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, 3.0 APTA, 2014).