Physical Therapist

Physical Therapists (PT) are healthcare professionals who care for patients of all ages (from newborns to the elderly), and are concerned with improving the mobility and function of the body. Patients may seek out a Physical Therapist after an injury, or to improve function because of a disability or a disease.

Physical Therapists work in collaboration with physicians, surgeons as well as other specialists in the medical field. Some PT’s specialize in certain fields like orthopedics or women’s health.

Some typical responsibilities of a Physical Therapist:

Meet with a patient and assess their concerns and issues with movement and function.
Diagnose a patient's primary issues by observing their movement, and listening to the patient.
Review notes from a patient's medical history, which is provided by a physician, surgeon or specialist.
Create and build a plan with the patient to address areas of concern (for example: knee pain and how to lessen that pain over time); highlighting goals and outcomes of the plan.
Use a variety of techniques during each session, such as exercises, hands-on therapy, stretching, and different equipment to help alleviate a patients’ pain, help them increase their mobility, prevent further pain or injury, and move towards their health goals. They may recommend a wheelchair, crutches, walker or cane for a patient.
Record a patients’ progress in recovery, and change the modality or plan based on the progress seen in sessions.
Collaborate and guide the families and/or caregivers about the patient's plan for recovery. Provide resources for coping with the challenges they might experience.
Develop wellness classes or programs for patients and their families to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.