Physical Therapy
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What training does a Physical Therapist have? |
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| All Physical therapists are college graduates and have extensive, professional training in the examination and treatment of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular problems. The majority of physical therapist education programs graduate students with a master’s degree, and a few schools offer a clinical doctorate in physical therapy.
All physical therapists also are required to take a national examination and be licensed by the state in which they practice. Some physical therapists seek advanced certification in a clinical specialty, such as orthopaedic, neurologic, cardiopulmonary, pediatric, geriatric, or sports physical therapy. Others are certified in manual therapy or electrophysiological testing and measurement. Many physical therapists are members of the professional association, the American Physical Therapy Association. As health care professionals, they are especially committed to providing competent and compassionate care, as they are bound by the Association’s Code of Ethics. |
Foundation Physical Therapy  Offices in Clearwater and Largo, Florida See Display Ad or Call 727-784-6088 Foundation provides the highest standard of care utilizing up-to-date and sophisticated, hands-on interventions |
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What is a Physical Therapist Assistant? |
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Physical therapist assistants, must complete a 2-year education program and work only under the direction and supervision of physical therapists. |
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Physical Therapy treatment |
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| Physical therapy can only legally be provided by qualified physical therapists or by physical therapist assistants. The cornerstones of physical therapy are therapeutic exercise and functional training. In addition to “hands-on” care, physical therapists also educate patients to take care of themselves and to perform certain exercises on their own. Depending on the particular needs of a patient, physical therapists may also “mobilize” or “manipulate” a joint, or massage a muscle to restore proper movement and function. Physical therapists also use a variety of pain relief and healing methods such as ultrasound (which uses high frequency waves to produce heat), hot packs, and ice. |
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How to find a Physical Therapist: |
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If you need physical therapy in the hospital, a physical therapist will be assigned to you, so there will be very little decision-making involved in that case. For outpatient care, physical therapy can be obtained through hospitals, home care agencies, and in private offices. Your doctor or nurse practitioner can make recommendations regarding specific facilities. |
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State Physical Therapy Boards: To verify the license and check credentials of your physical therapist, you can search individual therapists through the state licensing boards below |
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| Alabama State Physical Therapy Board Alaska State Physical Therapy Board Arizona State Physical Therapy Board Arkansas State Physical Therapy Board California State Physical Therapy Board Colorado Physical Therapy Licensing Connecticut Physical Therapy Licensure Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists Florida State Physical Therapy Board Georgia State Physical Therapy Board Hawaii Physical Therapy Licensing Idaho Board of Medicine - Physical Therapy Illinois Physical Therapy Licensing Indiana Physical Therapy Committee Iowa State Physical Therapy Board Kansas State Board of Healing Arts - Physical Therapy Kentucky State Physical Therapy Board Louisiana State Physical Therapy Board Maine Physical Therapy Licensing Maryland State Physical Therapy Board Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professionals Michigan State Physical Therapy Board Minnesota State Physical Therapy Board Mississippi State Physical Therapy Board Missouri State Physical Therapy Board Montana State Physical Therapy Board |
Nebraska State Physical Therapy Board New Jersey State Physical Therapy Board Nevada State Physical Therapy Examiners' Board New Mexico State Physical Therapy Board New York State Physical Therapy Licensing North Carolina State Physical Therapy Board North Dakota State Physical Therapy Board Ohio State Physical Therapy Board Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure - Physical Therapy Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board Pennsylvania State Physical Therapy Board Rhode Island State Physical Therapy Board South Carolina State Physical Therapy Board South Dakota Medical Board - Physical Therapy Tennessee State Physical Therapy Board Texas State Physical Therapy Board Utah Physical Therapy Licensing Board Vermont Physical Therapy Licensing Virginia State Physical Therapy Board Washington State Physical Therapy Board West Virginia State Physical Therapy Board Wisconsin Physical Therapy Licensing Wyoming State Physical Therapy Board |
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Professional Organizations |
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Other Useful Links: |
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This is an up-to-date educational source for patient education. Health care providers may feel free to print out copies for their patient's use. Please note that content may not be copied for resale or other commercial use such as for web sites. The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site.
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