Physical Therapy Profession
Physical therapy is a dynamic
profession with an established theoretical base and wide spread 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 client 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).
Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences 
