What Is Physical Therapy?

Highly effective in treating mobility impairments, physical therapy aims at relieving certain conditions and preventing the chances of a recurrence of the same condition in the future. As a science, physical therapy seeks to restore patients to their normal self, free of pain or suffering. Those who practice physical therapy techniques are seen as experts in "the science of healing and the art of caring."

History

• Constantly evolving since around 460 B.C.E. when physicians like Hippocrates and Hector--considered the originators of primitive physical therapy--were encouraging massage and hydrotherapy, physical therapy has a rich, international history. The earliest documented origins of physical therapy dates back to 1894. At this time in England, four nurses formed the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Soon after, other countries began following suit by initiating formal training programs such as the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Otago in 1913 and the Reed College in Portland, Oregon, in 1914. "Reconstruction aides," the initial name for Reed College graduates, were originally responsible for managing the devastating effects of the First World War.
  Through the 1940s, treatment mainly consisted of exercise, massage and traction. In 1974, specialization for physical therapy occurred in the United States with the formation of the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA. With the technology explosion of the 1980s and 1990s, physical therapy has experienced tremendous growth in research advancement.

Function

• Physical therapy: the science of expert healing and caring. Focusing on individuals with disturbed function or impairment, physical therapy identifies and maximizes quality of life through promotion, prevention, treatment, intervention and rehabilitation of movement.
  As a health care profession, physical therapists service individuals with movement impairments by using research and applied techniques to restore maximum movement and functional ability. Through a variety of treatments, physical therapists improve movement, build strength and strengthen skills to complete an individual's daily activities.

Considerations

• Individuals specializing in the science of physical therapy are responsible for evaluating and treating physical disorders of the human body. As such, while education requirements vary, most countries expect formal education sometimes in the form of a master's or doctoral degree. Other skills required include good observation skills, communication skills and critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to engage in rigorous physical activity and an enjoyment of working with people.

Types

• Like most health care professions, physical therapy has numerous specialties under its umbrella of expertise. Some of the most common types of physical therapy include cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, orthopedic and pediatrics. While each of these specialties focus on different areas of physical therapies, they all can be found in settings such as outpatient clinics, offices, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, extended care facilities, private homes, research centers, hospices, fitness centers and sports training facilities.

Benefits

• Physical therapy provides numerous benefits for those with impaired mobility and functioning capabilities. This healing science aims at retrieving the physical abilities that were lost due to aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. Physical therapy benefits include preventing the progression of conditions resulting from injury or disease, improving the ability to move and function, regaining mobility, restoring flexibility, acquiring better balance, restoring or increasing joint movement, decreasing stress, preventing future physical failure, increasing or maintaining muscle strength and significantly improving overall fitness and health of the patient.
  From young to old, physical therapy benefits a wide-variety of patients with mobility impairments like lower back pain or conditions stemming from diseases like Alzheimer's.