The main goal of physical therapy is to improve, restore, and maintain optimal function to perform daily activities. Simple activities could be walking, get off the toilet, grooming, bathing, etc…the list goes on that may be taken for granted. Advanced activities could be for the athlete to get back to sports or being able to perform recreational activities. Physical therapy is a health care profession that provides physical therapy services through physical therapist or physical therapy assistant. The physical therapist will evaluate and prescribe a specific treatment regime. The physical therapy assistant administers the treatment plan under the supervision of the physical therapist with communication and documentation in between themselves and other medical professions such as your referring medical doctor.

Goals of Physical Therapy:

• Prevention
• Patient Education
• Home exercise program
• Decrease pain and stiffness
• Increase range of motion
• Decrease inflammation
• Improve mobility
• Increase strength and stability

Physical therapy treatments may consist of:

• Therapeutic Exercises: increase strength and stability
• Range of Motion (passive, active assist, active)
• Progressive Resistance Exercise
• Mechanical Machines

Modalities: helps with pain, relaxation, inflammation, and strengthening

• Ultrasound
• Electrical Stimulation
• Laser Therapy
• Thermal Application
• Traction
• Iontophoresis
• Whirlpool

Manual Therapy

• Joint Mobilization
• Massage
• Passive Range of Motion
• Stretching

Prevention/Patient Education

• Home Exercise Program
• Proper Body Mechanics
• Safety Awareness
• Self Care Techniques

Stretching Techniques: to improve range of motion

Gait Training: regain or improve proper ambulation

• With or without use of an assistive device

Transfer Training: transitioning from different positions to improve energy conservation and prevent injury

• Sit to stand
• Supine (on your back) to sit

Balance Activities: improve proprioception (where the body is in space) to prevent falls

Prosthetic Training:

• Skin, scar, and stump management
• Regain function
• Care of prosthesis

Wound Care: to avoid infection and increase healing

• Debridement
• Dressing

Aquatic Therapy: to increase flexibility, strength, and stability

• Characteristics in water include bouncy, resistance, and hydrostatic pressure (helps with swelling)

If you enjoyed this article you may also like this one:

What is the difference between Physical Therapist (PTs) and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTAs)?