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Home > Physical & Occupational Therapy > What is a Physical Therapist?
What is a Physical Therapist?

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What is a Physical Therapist?
Physical Therapists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the restoration or optimization of physical functioning for work or play. They utilize various physical modalities including exercise and manual hands on therapy for muscle strengthening, increased range of motion, decreased pain, better posture and improved ability to complete the days activities.

What kind of training do Physical Therapists have?
Physical Therapists must have obtained a minimum of  a bachelors degree from an accredited physical therapy program and must be licensed by the state in which they practice. Many physical therapists today hold Masters or Doctoral degrees.

Physical therapists often seek additional training and certification in specialty areas. MUSC has physical therapists with the following advanced certifications: manual therapy, lymphedema, vestibular rehabilitation, pediatrics, neurodevelopment training (NDT), biofeedback, strength and conditioning, and wound care

Who Can Benefit from Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapists work with a wide variety of patients from infants to the elderly suffering from acute or chronic injuries and/or illnesses. Some common reasons to see a physical therapist are listed below.

Therapist and patient
Our Specialties

black dotted arrow Arthritis
black dotted arrow Aquatics
black dotted arrow Biofeedback
black dotted arrow Custom Orthotics
black dotted arrow Fibromyalgia Program
black dotted arrow Incontinence Treatment
black dotted arrow Lymphedema Program
black dotted arrow Neurological
black dotted arrow Osteoporosis Program
black dotted arrow Pain Rehabilitation
black dotted arrow Pediatrics
black dotted arrow Post-Op Rehabilitation
black dotted arrow Spine Rehabilitation
black dotted arrow 
Sports Physical Therapy black dotted arrow Transplant Rehabilitation
black dotted arrow Vestibular Rehabilitation
black dotted arrow Women's Health

Patient and therapist

blue dotted arrow Low Back Pain
blue dotted arrow Neck Pain Shoulder
blue dotted arrow Arm, Wrist, or Hand Problems
blue dotted arrow Knee, Ankle, or Foot Problems 
blue dotted arrow Sprains and Muscle Strains
blue dotted arrow Arthritis 
blue dotted arrow Rehabilitation after a serious injury
blue dotted arrow Chronic Respiratory Problems
blue dotted arrow Stroke Rehabilitation Problems with Balance
blue dotted arrow Disabilities in Newborns
blue dotted arrow Pre-Postnatal Programs
blue dotted arrow Hip Fractures Incontinence
blue dotted arrow Fitness and Wellness Education

Page last updated: 05/08/2007
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