What is Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapists Make a Difference!

Many people can benefit from Physical Therapy (PT). A construction worker with an injured back... a senior with arthritis... an infant with a birth defect... an Olympic athlete... a person who has had a stroke... a child with a disability... a pregnant woman... or an overstressed business executive. In this diverse group of people, each can benefit in some way from PT.

PTs have the rewarding opportunity to make a positive difference in the quality of people's lives. Their work involves extensive contact with people - with both patients and other health care professionals.

PT takes a personal and direct approach to meeting an individual's health needs and wants, whether a patient's goal is walking independently or breaking a high-jump record. Along with the patient and other health care practitioners, the PT shares the hard work and commitment needed to accomplish each individual patient's goals.

For people with health problems resulting from injury or disease, PTs assist in the recovery process to make them stronger, relieve their pain, and help them to regain use of an affected limb or to relearn such activities of daily living as walking, dressing, or bathing. Because recovery does not end for patients as soon as they are out of the therapist's direct care, PTs must teach patients and their families what to do so that healing continues through self-care at home.

PTs also seek to keep people well and safe from injury. They do this by teaching the importance of fitness and showing people how to avoid hurting their bodies at work or play. By designing and supervising individualized conditioning programs, PTs promote optimal physical performance and help health-conscious people to increase their overall fitness level and muscular strength and endurance.

Responsibilities and Settings

PTs are respected members of the health care team. They work with other health care providers, such as physicians, Occupational Therapists, rehabilitation nurses, dentists, psychologists, social workers, podiatrists, and speech pathologists and audiologists.

Although a large number of PTs work in hospitals, now nearly 80 percent work in private offices, rehabilitation centers, community health centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, corporate or industrial health centers, sports facilities, research institutions, schools, pediatric centers, and colleges and universities. Some PTs work as employees in these settings, while others are self-employed as owners or partners in private practices. Indeed, settings, employment arrangements, career responsibilities, and career opportunities depend on the interests and skills of each practitioner.

Physical Therapy Education

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) encourages students pursuing a career in PT to enter the profession with a doctoral degree. This level of education will prepare PTs to better meet the changing needs of patients today and in tomorrow's progressive health care system.

Equal Opportunities in Physical Therapy

Cultural diversity within the profession of PT is highly valued because PTs and PT assistants interact with patients and families who are of various ages, races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. When PTs and their clients share a common language and similar background, the effectiveness of treatment is greatly enhanced. Patients often prefer to receive care from someone with whom they can readily identify. Minority PTs are in great demand but short supply in all aspects of the profession.

As the U.S. population becomes more diverse, it is important for PTs to meet the needs of all groups. The APTA has made a commitment to support efforts to recruit and educate minority students for a career in PT through its funding of programs and awards for minorities. APTA's Department of Minority/International Affairs addresses minority issues in the profession and offers information to students on schools and financial assistance.

Accreditation of Education Programs

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is recognized as the accrediting agency for education programs in PT by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The 26-member Commission, composed of PT educators and practitioners, administrators from institutions of higher education, public representatives, and a physician, evaluate PT education programs to determine if they meet the standards and criteria for approval. Accreditation recognizes professional education programs for a level of performance, integrity, and quality that entitles them to the confidence of the education community and the public they serve. Accreditation status signifies that the program meets established and nationally accepted standards of scope, quality, and relevance.