In medical terms, PT stands for Physical Therapy. Physical Therapy is a branch of rehabilitative health that uses specially designed exercises and equipment to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities. It is often prescribed for patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions that affect their mobility and function.
Physical therapists, or PTs, are licensed healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, and nursing homes.
The goal of physical therapy is to improve a patient’s quality of life by enhancing their ability to move, reducing pain, restoring function, and preventing disability. Treatment plans are tailored to each individual’s specific needs and may include exercises, manual therapy, education, and the use of modalities such as heat, cold, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation.