You are a Physical Therapist. Many of your patients have been in accidents and aren’t feeling well or thinking clearly when they first see you. You decide to write up an explanation of physical therapy that patients can take home in a handout format. That way, they can learn about the therapy at a later time when they are not feeling so poorly.

You need to explain what physical therapy does for the patient, how therapists evaluate the patient’s strength, the tools they use, and the kinds of tests that patients do during physical therapy sessions.

Background: Physical Therapists are sometimes referred to simply as PTs. PTs are healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest. Their patients have health-related conditions or injuries that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.

Physical Therapists provide care to people of all ages who have functional problems resulting from, for example, back and neck injuries, sprains/strains and fractures, arthritis, burns, amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, conditions such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida, and injuries related to work and sports. Physical therapy care and services are provided by Physical Therapists and their assistants. PTs evaluate and diagnose movement dysfunction and use interventions to treat patient/clients. Interventions may include therapeutic exercise, functional training, manual therapy techniques, assistive and adaptive devices and equipment, and physical agents and electrotherapeutic modalities.

PTs often consult and practice with a variety of other professionals, such as physicians, dentists, nurses, educators, social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists.

Your explanation should be about 300 words, approximately one page.