What Are the Responsibilities of a Physical Therapist?

If you are considering a career as a physical therapist, it is essential to know what the job entails. Physical therapists work with patients with injuries or illnesses affecting their movement. They help these patients restore and maintain mobility through exercises, stretches, and manual therapy.

Here Are Some of the Specific Responsibilities of a Physical Therapist in Wichita:

Evaluate Patients’ Needs & Develop Treatment Plans

Physical therapy by Phoenix involves the evaluation of patients to determine the best care plan. This process begins with a consultation, during which the therapist will ask questions about your medical history and current symptoms. The therapist will then perform a physical examination, testing your range of motion, strength, and flexibility.

Help Patients Restore Movement & Function

Physical therapists must help their patients relieve pain and improve or restore movement and function. It is achieved through various exercises and therapies designed to stretch and strengthen muscles, increase range of motion, and improve balance.

Educates Patients & Their Families About Conditions and Treatments

A physical therapist in Wichita will often be the one to educate a patient and their family about what is wrong, what might help, and how to care for themselves at home properly. For example, a PT may teach a patient with arthritis how to use hot and cold packs or instruct a family on how to help their child with cerebral palsy stretch at night.

This education is essential because it gives patients and families the tools they need to manage their condition independently and prevents them from coming back for frequent appointments.

Manages Therapy Programs

Some of the physical therapy programs include:

• Exercise
• Manual therapy
• Electrotherapy

The therapist will instruct the patient on how to do these things and then supervise them to ensure they are doing the exercises correctly. They will also give the patient a home exercise program to do on their own.

Manual therapy involves the therapist using their hands to massage the muscles and joints of the patient. It can help to relieve pain and increase the range of motion.

Electrotherapy uses electrical stimulation to help reduce pain. The therapist will apply electrodes to the skin of the patient. The electrical current will stimulate the nerves and help to reduce pain signals.

Depending on a patient’s condition, the therapist will choose the best program for them. They will also modify the program as needed to ensure that the patient is getting the most benefit from it.

The therapist will also provide education to the patient and their family on things like injury prevention, how to properly use crutches or other assistive devices, and exercises that can help in recovery progression.

Record Patient Progress & Update the Plan of Care As Needed

As a physical therapist, you will be responsible for recording your patients’ progress and updating their plan of care as necessary. It will help ensure that they receive the best possible care and that their condition improves. You will also need to keep track of any changes in their symptoms or condition to report them to the doctor.

If you experience pain or have difficulty moving following an injury or surgery, you may benefit from physical therapy by Phoenix. We offer the latest in physical therapy treatments and can develop a customized plan to help you recover and improve your quality of life.