Physical therapy is a fun and exciting healthcare profession that helps people with many
types of medical afflictions. Although the profession is relatively new, physical therapy initially began during World War I with the work done by restorative aides. The profession has grown over the years and therapists can now specialize in pediatrics, sports medicine, neurology, home health, geriatrics, orthopedics, aquatic therapy, wound care, electrotherapy, occupational health, women's health, acute care, education, administration, research and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Physical therapists today will often work in a variety of settings at hospitals, nursing homes, schools, outpatient clinics, fitness facilities, the home environment and at many industrial companies. A physical therapist will evaluate and treat those with musculoskeletal disorders, neurological dysfunctions and those with other types of disease, injury or illness.

Manual therapy, joint mobilization, myofascial release and neurodevelopmental(NDT) techniques are only some of the special skills used by therapists to treat patients to help lessen disability, pain and improve overall function and quality of life. Therapists use special equipment called modalities when treating patients which help aid in the healing and recovery of an injury. Electrical stimulation, hot packs, cold packs, infrared and ultrasound are only some of the modalities one may require during a treatment session with a physical therapist. As part of treatment and the rehabilitation process, a physical therapist will often stretch, strengthen, facilitate muscles, challenge balance, test coordination abilities, teach home exercise programs and enhance basic mobility skills. The physical therapy assistant helps the physical therapist with patient treatment programs.

Rehabilitation is not done solely by the physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, but by the team efforts of many health professionals. Physical therapists will coordinate treatment plans with doctors, nurses, social workers and occupational therapists just to name a few. This multidisciplinary approach helps achieve patient goals and individual treatment outcomes as quickly and as effectively as possible.

Occupational therapy is another allied health field closely associated with physical therapy. While occupational therapy generally concentrates on activities of daily living, the ability to dress, cook, clean and manage safely in the home environment, physical therapy will focus on basic gross mobility skills such as getting out of bed, walking safely with crutches or a walker, moving specific joints and strengthening specific muscles the body. Both fields overlap somewhat as both provide special splints, hand/upper extremity (arm) therapy, and work hardening/work conditioning programs. Both professions also aim to reduce pain, restore function, and promote as much independence as possible.