Physical therapy

Physical therapy (PT), often known as physiotherapy, is a health-care profession that belongs to the allied health field. Provided by physical therapists, it aims to promote, maintain, or restore health via physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis (including patient education), physical intervention (including rehabilitation), illness prevention (including health promotion), and health promotion.[1]

The physical therapist's job description also includes the following additional responsibilities: research, teaching, consultations, and management of health-care facilities. Physical therapy may be used as a primary care treatment, or it can be used in combination with other medical procedures, such as surgery. Physical therapists in certain countries, such as the United Kingdom, have the power to prescribe drugs to their patients.[2]

Individuals who suffer from diseases or injuries that impair their ability to move and carry out functional tasks in their everyday lives might benefit from physical therapy services. Therapists (PTs) evaluate an individual's medical history and physical examination to arrive at a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. When appropriate, they include the results of laboratory and imaging examinations such as X-ray, CT-scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Electrical diagnostic tests (such as electromyograms and nerve conduction velocity testing) may also be done to determine the severity of the condition. PT management typically consists of the prescription of or assistance with specific exercises, manual therapy, and manipulation, mechanical devices such as traction, education, electrophysical modalities such as heat, cold, electricity, sound waves, radiation, assistive devices, prostheses, orthoses, and other interventions, as well as other types of interventions. They provide services to individuals and populations in order to develop, maintain, and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout one's life span, among other things. In situations when mobility and function are compromised due to age, injury, illness, or the effects of the environment, this involves delivering therapy to patients. Movement that is both functional and enjoyable is essential to being healthy. Geriatric physical therapy is a professional career that includes a variety of specialties such as musculoskeletal therapy, orthopaedic therapy, cardiopulmonary therapy (including cardiopulmonary rehabilitation), neurology, endocrinology, sports medicine (including rehabilitation of athletes), women's health (including wound care), and electromyography (including electromyography). Neurological rehabilitation, in particular, is a profession that is fast growing in popularity. A variety of settings are available for physical therapists to practise, including privately owned physical therapy clinics, outpatient clinics or offices, health and wellness clinics, rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, extended care facilities, private homes, education and research centres, schools, hospices, industrial and other occupational environments, fitness centres, and sports training facilities.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ "What is Allied Health?". Association of Schools of Allied Health Professionals. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
2. ↑ "Physiotherapists given prescribing powers". BBC. 20 August 2013.