Orthopedic patients typically have a deficiency that needs to be addressed. For example, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome may have weakness of specific hand muscles that require targeted exercises. Knee conditions such as chondromalacia may be due in part to muscle imbalance around the knee joint. A physical therapist can teach exercises that specifically target muscles to improve function and decrease problems.

Physical therapists are knowledgeable about surgical procedures, treatment goals, musculoskeletal anatomy, and can tailor their efforts to improve the well-being of the patient. After a procedure such as a hip replacement or ACL reconstruction, it is important that therapy is guided by the surgical procedure. Some surgery places limits on weight-bearing and range of motion; a therapist is knowledgeable of these limits and can help ensure a successful outcome.

For patients with neurological and musculoskeletal injuries and disabilities, physical therapy is a cornerstone of management.

Physical Therapy aims to restore movement and function, relieve pain, and prevent illness and injury

Physical Therapy is the evaluation and treatment of numerous physical conditions of all age groups

Physical Therapy includes practice in sports medicine, fitness and health, the performing arts, industrial screenings, and with women's health issues such as pregnancy or incontinence issues

Physical Therapy helps people lead more active and independent lives.

A physical therapist is a specialist trained to work with a patient to restore their activity, strength, and motion following an injury or surgery. Physical therapists (PT) can teach patients specific exercises, stretches, and techniques, and use specialized equipment to address problems that cannot be managed without PT training.

A Physical Therapist completes training at a School of Physical Therapy that is approved by the Commission On Accreditation in Physical Therapist Education. Physical Therapy programs are usually within the College of Health-Related Professions at university settings.

A Physical Therapist must pass qualifying state examinations and be licensed or registered in the state in which the physical therapist practices once their educational requirements and clinical rotations are completed.

you have suffered an injury--to decrease pain and restore movement and function

after surgery--to restore strength, range of motion, balance and function

if your illness or injury interferes with your daily normal tasks and your ability to function

if your child has had birth defects before accidents or injuries occur to prevent difficulties in the future.

Taking a history of a problem

Evaluating your problem by performing specific tests and measures to assess the problem.

Patient education to teach you how deal with a current problem and how to prevent this problem from recurring in the future

Provision of "hands on techniques" like massage or joint mobilizations skills to restore joint motion or increase soft tissue flexibility

Aiding in postural reconstruction and movement awareness

Therapeutic exercise instructions to help restore strength, movement, balance, or coordination as a guide towards full functional recovery

Functional training for work-related issues, and home activities, and recreational or sports interests

Basic mobility skills such as learning to move and get out of bed, transferring to a chair, walking with crutches or special devices on stairs or varied terrain

Utilizing specific treatment methods or "modalities" which include properties of heat, cold, air, light, water, electricity, sound and mechanical energy that will help decrease pain and  increase movement and function. Those include hot/cold packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, phonophoresis and TENS. (See below for more information)

Monitoring one's progress and adjust treatments and treatment goals as appropriate

Consulting with other health professionals to facilitate one's recovery

Friction: A deep circular massage, to stimulate a muscle to increase its toneness and /or its arterial perfusion, or to express swelling. Also to break up scar tissue in ligaments lesions.
 

Trigger points: Firm digital pressure applied to a hyper irritable spot in the muscle or fascia that is painful on compression and can give rise to referred pain, tenderness, and even autonomic phenomenon.
 

Soft tissue and joint mobilization/myofascial release: Manual skills are used to test and treat muscle and skeletal problems. They include passive physiological joint movements and passive excessary joint movements. The physical therapist will use mobilization to decrease pain and decrease muscle spasm, increase range of movement and improve the quality of movement. These techniques stretch the joint capsule, associated ligaments and affected muscles.