Physical
therapy
Physical
therapy (or physiotherapy), often abbreviated PT, is a health
care profession primarily concerned with the remediation of impairments and disabilities
and the promotion of mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement
potential through examination, evaluation, diagnosis and physical intervention
carried out by physical therapists (known as physiotherapists in
some countries) and physical therapist assistants (known as physical
rehabilitation therapists in some countries). In addition to clinical
practice, other activities encompassed in the physical therapy profession
include research, education, consultation, and administration. Definitions and
licensing requirements in the United States vary among jurisdictions, as each
state has enacted its own physical therapy practice act defining the profession
within its jurisdiction, but the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
has also drafted a model definition in order to limit this variation, and the
APTA is also responsible for accrediting physical therapy education curricula
throughout the United States of America. In many settings, physical therapy
services may be provided alongside, or in conjunction with, other medical or rehabilitation
services.
Overview
Physical therapy involves the
interaction between physical therapist, patients/clients, other health care
professionals, families, care givers, and communities in a process where
movement potential is assessed and diagnosed and goals are agreed upon.
Physical therapy is performed by a physical therapist (PT) or physiotherapist
(physio), and sometimes services are provided by a physical therapist assistant
(PTA) acting under their direction. Physical therapists and occupational
therapists often work together in conjunction to provide treatment for
patients. In some cases, physical rehabilitation technicians may provide
physiotherapy services. PTs are healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat
individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical
problems or other health-related conditions, illnesses, or injuries that limit
their abilities to move and perform functional activities as well as they would
like in their daily lives. PTs use an individual's history and physical
examination to arrive at a diagnosis and establish a
management plan and, when necessary, incorporate the results of laboratory and
imaging studies. Electrodiagnostic testing (e.g., electromyograms
and nerve conduction velocity testing) may also be of assistance. PT management
commonly includes prescription of or assistance with specific exercises, manual
therapy, education, manipulation and other interventions. In addition, PTs work
with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing
fitness and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active
lifestyles, providing services to individuals and populations to develop,
maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the
lifespan. This includes providing services in circumstances where movement and
function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors.
Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy.
Physical therapy has many
specialties including sports, wound care, EMG, cardiopulmonary, geriatrics,
neurologic, orthopaedic and pediatrics. PTs practice in many settings, such as
outpatient clinics or offices, health and wellness clinics, inpatient
rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, extended care
facilities, private homes, education and research centers, schools, hospices,
industrial and this workplaces or other occupational environments, fitness
centers and sports training facilities.
Physical therapists also
practice in non-patient care roles such as health policy, health insurance,
health care administration and as health care executives. Physical therapists
are involved in the medical-legal field serving as experts, performing peer
review and independent medical examinations.
Education qualifications vary
greatly by country. The span of education ranges from some countries having
little formal education to others having doctoral degrees and post doctoral
residencies and fellowships.
Physical Therapists
The primary physical therapy
practitioner is the Physical Therapist (PT), who is trained and licensed to
examine, evaluate, diagnose and treat impairments, functional limitations and
disabilities in patients or clients. Currently, most Physical Therapist
education curricula in the United States culminate in a Doctor of Physical
Therapy (DPT) degree, but many currently practicing PTs hold a Master of
Physical Therapy degree and some hold a Bachelor's degree. The World
Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) recognizes there is considerable
diversity in the social, economic, cultural, and political environments in
which physical therapist education is conducted throughout the world. WCPT
recommends physical therapist entry-level educational programs be based on
university or university-level studies, of a minimum of four years,
independently validated and accredited as being at a standard that accords
graduates full statutory and professional recognition. WCPT acknowledges there is innovation
and variation in program delivery and in entry-level qualifications, including
first university degrees (Bachelors/Baccalaureate/Licensed or equivalent),
Masters and Doctorate entry qualifications. What is expected is that any
program should deliver a curriculum that will enable physical therapists to
attain the knowledge, skills, and attributes described in these guidelines.
Professional education prepares physical therapists to be autonomous
practitioners, that may work in collaboration with other members of the health
care team.[citation needed] Curricula in the United
States are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy
Education (CAPTE). As of 2011, APTA reports that 222 out of 227 entry-level
professional degree programs accredited in the United States are at the
doctoral level. According to CAPTE, as of 2012 there are 25,660 students
currently enrolled in 210 accredited PT programs in the United States.
The physical
therapist professional curriculum includes content and learning experiences in
the clinical sciences (e.g., content about the cardiovascular, pulmonary,
endocrine, metabolic, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, integumentary,
musculoskeletal, and neuromuscular systems and the medical and surgical
conditions frequently seen by physical therapists).
Specialty areas
Because the body of knowledge of
physical therapy is quite large, some PTs specialize in a specific clinical
area. While there are many different types of physical therapy, the American
Board of Physical Therapy Specialties list eight specialist certifications.
Cardiovascular
& pulmonary
Cardiovascular and pulmonary
rehabilitation respiratory practitioners and physical therapists treat a wide
variety of individuals with cardiopulmonary disorders or those who have had
cardiac or pulmonary surgery. Primary goals of this specialty include
increasing endurance and functional independence. Manual therapy is used in
this field to assist in clearing lung secretions experienced with cystic
fibrosis. Disorders, including heart attacks, post coronary bypass surgery, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis, treatments can benefit[citation
needed] from cardiovascular and pulmonary specialized physical
therapists.[verification needed]
Clinical
electrophysiology
This specialty area encompasses
electrotherapy/physical agents, electrophysiological evaluation (EMG/NCV),
physical agents, and wound management.
Geriatric
Geriatric physical therapy
covers a wide area of issues concerning people as they go through normal adult
aging but is usually focused on the older adult. There are many conditions that
affect many people as they grow older and include but are not limited to the
following: arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, hip and joint
replacement, balance disorders, incontinence, etc. Geriatric physical
therapists specialize in treating older adults.
Integumentary
Integumentary
(treatment of conditions involving the skin and related organs). Common
conditions managed include wounds and burns. Physical therapists utilize
surgical instruments, mechanical lavage, dressings and topical agents to
debride necrotic tissue and promote tissue healing. Other commonly used
interventions include exercise, edema control, splinting, and compression garments.
Neurological
Neurological physical therapy is
a field focused on working with individuals who have a neurological disorder or
disease. These include Alzheimer's disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), ALS,
brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal
cord injury, and stroke. Common impairments associated with neurologic
conditions include impairments of vision, balance, ambulation, activities of daily living, movement, muscle strength
and loss of functional independence. Physiotherapy can address many of these impairments
and aid in restoring and maintaining function, slowing disease progression, and
improving quality of life.
In layman's terms, neurological
massage is directed toward correcting and healing out-of-normative body
systems, unlike traditional massages, such as Swedish massage, that are
directed toward comfort and
relaxation.
Orthopedic
Orthopedic physical therapists
diagnose, manage, and treat disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal
system including rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery. This specialty of
physical therapy is most often found in the out-patient clinical setting.
Orthopedic therapists are trained in the treatment of post-operative orthopedic
procedures, fractures, acute sports injuries, arthritis, sprains, strains, back
and neck pain, spinal conditions, and amputations.
Joint and spine
mobilization/manipulation, dry needling, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular
reeducation, hot/cold packs, and electrical muscle stimulation (e.g., cryotherapy, iontophoresis, electrotherapy) are modalities often
used to expedite recovery in the orthopedic setting.[verification
needed] Additionally, an emerging adjunct to diagnosis and
treatment is the use of sonography for
diagnosis and to guide treatments such as muscle retraining. Those who have
suffered injury or disease affecting the muscles, bones, ligaments, or tendons
will benefit from assessment by a physical
therapist specialized in orthopedics.
Pediatric
Pediatric physical therapy
assists in early detection of health problems and uses a wide variety of
modalities to treat disorders in the pediatric population. These therapists are
specialized in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of infants, children,
and adolescents with a variety of congenital, developmental, neuromuscular,
skeletal, or acquired disorders/diseases. Treatments focus on improving gross
and fine motor skills, balance and coordination, strength and endurance as well
as cognitive and sensory processing/integration. Children with developmental
delays, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or torticollis may be
treated[citation needed] by pediatric physical therapists.[verification needed]
Sports
Physical therapists can be
involved in the care of athletes from recreational to professional and
Olympians. This area of practice includes athletic injury management, including
acute care, treatment and rehabilitation, prevention, and education. Physical
therapists are also active in sports medicine programs. Physical therapists who
work for professional sport teams often have this specialized certification.
Women's health
Women's health physical therapy addresses
women's issues related to child birth, and post-partum. These conditions
include lymphedema, osteoporosis, pelvic pain, prenatal and post partum
periods, and urinary incontinence.
POSTED BY ATTORNEY RENE G. GARCIA:
For more information:- Some of our clients
have suffered injuries that require Physical Therapy treatment due to a serious
accident. The Garcia Law ease call us at 1-866- SCAFFOLD or
212-725-1313.
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