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Physical Therapist

Restoring freedom to individuals restricted by disease or illness is the unique challenge of the physical therapist. The physical therapist works one-on-one with patients to help them make the most of their abilities.

Whether the patient is a child born with cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, an athlete recuperating from knee surgery, a paraplegic or the elderly suffering from severe arthritis or rehabilitating from a stroke, the special skills of a physical therapist are required. Along with a physician, the physical therapist will develop and administer medically prescribed treatment programs for patients suffering from illness or disease to the muscle, nerve, joint or bones. Each treatment plan is individually designed to meet specific needs and lifestyles. To develop a specific program for the patient, physical therapists will first perform tests to determine joint motion, muscle strength, functional ability, sensory perception, posture and stability of walking and function of the heart and lungs.

Because emphasis in physical therapy is on the healing powers of touch, physical therapists are specially educated to use their hands to "see" what problems may lie beneath the skin's surface. The therapist has a wide range of treatments available, such as deep or superficial massage or applying heat, cold or sound waves to the problem areas. Hydrotherapy, ultraviolet and infrared light, and laser techniques are also used in treating problem areas.