Who is Your Physical Therapist?

Most people can tell you who their dentist or even hairdresser is. People build relationships with these professionals. How often do you hear people discuss who their physical therapists are?

Having a physical therapist who knows you and your functional goals can go a long way when dealing with pain, strength/motion loss, and nerve damage from a variety of injuries. Physical therapists provide individualized and hands-on methods to decrease discomfort and movement limitations.

It’s like knowing who to call for a toothache. Who is your physical therapist?

How Can Physical Therapy Help You?

Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes. Physical therapists diagnose and treat people of all ages, including newborns, children, and elderly individuals. They may consult and practice with other health professionals to help you improve your mobility.

The physical therapist assistant is a licensed individual who works under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. The physical therapist assistant has the knowledge, skills, and value-based behaviors needed to help implement the interventions prescribed by the physical therapist in the plan of care. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are the only valid providers of physical therapy services.

Your Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant Can Help You With:

• Arthritis
• Balance Disorders
• Back Pain
• Knee Pain
• Osteoporosis
• Overuse Injuries
• Shoulder Pain
• Stroke
• Sprains, strains, and fractures
• And much more

In Ohio, you can see a Physical Therapist Without Referral!

In most states, you can make an appointment with a physical therapist directly, without a physician’s referral. In 2004 Ohio became the 39^th state in the nation to authorize physical therapists to evaluate and manage patients without a referral. More information on direct access.

Find My Physical Therapist

Find a PT allows you to search a national database of physical therapist members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for the purpose of finding a physical therapist who is right for you.

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Become a PT or PTA

Learn more about the profession of physical therapy and how you can become a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant through the links below.

• PT and PTA programs in Ohio
• Becoming a physical therapist
• Accredited Program Search
• Why US News and World Report Chooses PT as a top career in 2009.