Summary:  | According to the American Physical Therapy Association, the goal of physical therapy or physiotherapy is to improve mobility, restore function, reduce pain, and prevent further injury by using a variety of methods, including exercises, stretches, traction, electrical stimulation, and massage. Special tools are used, such as hot or cold packs, crutches, braces, treadmills, prosthetics, compression vests, computer-assisted feedback, lasers, and ultrasound. Patients range in age from newborns to the elderly. Physical therapy (PT) is commonly used for musculoskeletal injuries, joint pain or disorders, low back pain, cerebral palsy, and rehabilitation after injury or surgery, including heart surgery or mastectomy. |
Scientific Evidence: | Uses These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. | Grade* | | Incontinence | B
| | Knee osteoarthritis | B
| | Pain | B
| | Whiplash | B
| | Achilles tendonitis | C
| | Acute lymphoblastic leukemia | C
| | Ankylosing spondylitis | C
| | Asthma | C
| | Back pain | C
| | Bone density | C
| | Brain injury | C
| | Breast cancer | C
| | Bronchitis (chronic) | C
| | Cardiovascular conditions | C
| | Carpal tunnel syndrome | C
| | Cerebral palsy | C
| | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | C
| | Chronic prostatitis | C
| | Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) | C
| | Circulatory disorders | C
| | Complex regional pain syndrome | C
| | Congestion | C
| | Cystic fibrosis | C
| | Diabetic neuropathy | C
| | Down's syndrome | C
| | Fall prevention | C
| | Fatigue | C
| | Fibromyalgia | C
| | Fractures | C
| | Frozen shoulder | C
| | Guillain-Barre syndrome | C
| | Headache | C
| | Heart failure | C
| | Hip fractures | C
| | Hip pain | C
| | Hypertension (high blood pressure) | C
| | Joint problems | C
| | Joint problems (rotator cuff, SIJD) | C
| | Kashin-beck osteoarthropathy | C
| | Knee pain (rehabilitation) | C
| | Lung function | C
| | Lymphedema | C
| | Multiple sclerosis (MS) | C
| | Muscle atrophy | C
| | Muscle spasticity | C
| | Muscle tension | C
| | Musculoskeletal conditions | C
| | Myofascial pain (TMJ) | C
| | Neck and shoulder pain | C
| | Nerve disorders | C
| | Neurological disorders | C
| | Orthostatic hypotension | C
| | Osteoarthritis | C
| | Parkinson's disease | C
| | Peripheral artery disease | C
| | Plantar fasciitis | C
| | Pneumonia | C
| | Pregnancy problems (pelvic girdle pain) | C
| | Pulmonary conditions | C
| | Quality of life | C
| | Rehabilitation (cardiac) | C
| | Rehabilitation (geriatric) | C
| | Rehabilitation (vestibular) | C
| | Rheumatoid arthritis | C
| | Sciatica | C
| | Skin ulcers | C
| | Spine problems | C
| | Sprains and strains | C
| | Strength enhancer | C
| | Stroke | C
| | Surgical recovery | C
| | Tendonopathies | C
| | Tennis elbow | C
| | Thyroiditis | C
| | Tinnitus | C
| | Vertigo | C
| | Wound care | C
| | Low birth weight | D
| | *Key to grades: A: Strong scientific evidence for this use; B: Good scientific evidence for this use; C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use; D: Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work); F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work). |
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Technique: | Physical therapy is tailored to the patient's condition and health issues. A common goal of physical therapy is to increase how the patient functions at home and at work. Various types of physical therapy address specific problems. Musculoskeletal physical therapy uses massage and joint movement to increase strength, motor control, and flexibility. Cardiopulmonary physical therapy treats lung and heart conditions, such as cerebral palsy, asthma, and post-heart attack rehabilitation, by clearing the lungs of mucus, ventilating the lungs to ease breathing, or exercising to increase a patient's ability to move. Neurological physical therapy works to restore balance, coordination, and motor function through repeated exercises for patients with spinal injury, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other brain and nerve disorders. Integumentary physical therapy uses wound cleaning, scar prevention, and scar reduction to help patients with wounds, burns, and other skin-related problems. In the United States, all states require physical therapists to graduate from an accredited physical therapy program and pass a licensing exam before they practice. A physical therapy program includes supervised clinical experience and coursework in biology, chemistry, anatomy, and therapeutic techniques. Physical therapists work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities, and patients' homes. Patients may be referred to a physical therapist by a doctor or may directly contact a physical therapist. |
Safety: | Not all physical therapy programs are suited for everyone, and patients should discuss their medical history with a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any treatments. Based on the available literature, physical therapy appears generally safe when practiced by a qualified physical therapist, however complications are possible. Treatment options should be considered carefully. Physical therapy may aggravate pre-existing conditions. Persistent pain and fractures of unknown origin have been reported. Physical therapy may increase the duration of pain or cause limitation of motion. Pain and anxiety may occur during the rehabilitation of patients with burns. Both morning stiffness and bone erosion have been reported in the physical therapy literature although causality is unclear. Erectile dysfunction has also been reported. Physical therapy has been used in pregnancy, specifically to treat women with pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy and at 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Reports of major adverse effects are lacking the available literature, but caution is advised nonetheless. All therapies during pregnancy and breastfeeding should be discussed with a licensed obstetrician/gynecologist before initiation. |
 | | Natural Standard Monograph (www.naturalstandard.com)
Copyright © 2007 Natural Standard Inc. Commercial distribution or reproduction prohibited.
| | The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions. |
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