Physical Therapy is a health care profession that provides services to individuals suffering from injuries or disease. Treatment helps to relieve pain, improve mobility, restore function, prevents and/or limits permanent physical disability. Overall fitness and a healthy lifestyle are also promoted.
Physical Therapists perform extensive evaluations to assess range of motion, flexibility, strength, endurance, posture, balance, coordination and the ability to perform activities of daily living.
Physical Therapy treatment is then carefully planned to address deficits observed during the evaluation. Treatment includes exercises for improving range of motion, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and overall endurance. A home program will also be devised and is invaluable in the overall treatment.
Modalities and specialized techniques may also be used for pain control, to reduce swelling and inflammation, and improve muscle strength and control.
Physical Therapy also teaches people to walk with assistive devices, such as canes or walkers, and also trains individuals with amputations on how to use prostheses.
Physical Therapists maintain direct contact with the patient's referring physician and other health care professionals involved in the care of the individual.
The goal of Physical Therapy is to improve an individual's function so as to allow them to function at the highest level in the home and in the community.