What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapists have different titles in different countries: in many countries they are called physiotherapists. Some countries have their own version of the word physical therapist, such as kinesiologist. They are all part of the same profession.

Physical therapists provide services that develop, maintain and restore people’s maximum movement and functional ability. They can help people at any stage of life, when movement and function are threatened by ageing, injury, diseases, disorders, conditions or environmental factors.
Physical therapists help people maximize their quality of life, looking at physical, psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. They work in the health spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation.
Physical therapists are qualified and professionally required to:

   Undertake a comprehensive examination/assessment of the patient/client or needs of a client group
   Evaluate the findings from the examination/assessment to make clinical judgments regarding patients/clients
   Formulate a diagnosis, prognosis and plan
   Provide consultation within their expertise and determine when patients/clients need to be referred to another healthcare professional
   Implement a physical therapist intervention/treatment programme
   Determine the outcomes of any interventions/treatments
   Make recommendations for self-management.