Tuesday, October 18, 2011

What Does A Physical Therapist Do?


What does a physical therapist do? The primary goal of a PT is to restore the physical mobility of their patients. A physical therapist is part of a team of healthcare professionals. They are the ones who diagnose and treat clients who have medical problems, injuries and most especially with regards to mobility that can limit a person's ability to move freely without pain. Physical therapy can often help people who suffer from both acute and chronic pain, disability or injury.
What Does A Physical Therapist Do? Works With A Physician To Provide Therapy Programs For Patients.
A physician refers patients to a PT as needed and must remain active in both the type and duration of therapy prescribed. All physical therapists receives specialized training and work with the supervision and direction of a physician. They must both collaborate on the client's condition and special needs.
To become a PT, you must have a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited physical therapy program. All states regulate the practice of physical therapy, which requires a passing scores on national and state examinations. Most physical therapists must have at least two years on intensive training and education before becoming licensed. Education and licensing requirements vary from state to state, but continued education and training on new medical developments and advancements is also necessary.
There are currently eight specialized areas of clinical specializations for physical therapists. These areas are pediatric, geriatric, cardiovascular and pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, neurology, orthopedic, integumentary and sports. Having a specific area of specialization in physical therapy includes new job opportunities, increase in prestige in clinical and community settings, and promotion for anyone who successfully completes the specialization process.
A PT normally works in hospitals, nursing homes, out-patient clinics, and private offices that have specially equipped facilities. Their work depends on the nature and severity of a patients physical status. Clients may visit a PT on a temporary schedule or a permanent one. PTs often consult and collaborate with other health care professionals, such as physicians, nurses, educators, dentist, social workers, speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, and audiologist.
Being a PT can be physically demanding and strenuous because they have to kneel, stoop, crouch, lift and stand for long periods of time. Most of the time they use their strength and energy for lifting heavy objects and equipments for their patients. They help their patients to stand, walk, turn and sit.
The PT does so many things when it comes in providing care for patients of all ages who have functional problems resulting from bone sprain and strain, fractures, arthritis, back and neck injuries, burns, amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and injuries related to work and sports. The duties of a physical therapist includes evaluating a patient's condition by studying their past and present medical records, physician recommendations and test results and then developing a physical therapy program for the patient.
A PT develops and execute exercises that help improves the range of motion, muscle strength, endurance, coordination and motor skills. A physical therapist is the one who prescribes and assists in specific exercises for their patients. They are the ones who evaluate and diagnose any dysfunctional movement and use intervention to treat their clients. Interventions includes therapeutic exercises, manual therapy techniques, functional training and electrotherapeutic modalities.

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