TBI and Physical Therapy

 

Physical Therapists

  • Physical therapists (PTs) specialize in providing treatment to improve mobility, relieve pain, reduce disability, and promote health and fitness.
  • PTs have either a Master's degree (M.A./M.S.) or a Clinical Doctorate (D.P.T.)
  • PTs are an integral part of the rehabilitation treatment team.
  • Assessment services provided by PTs may consist of:
    • Review of the patient's history, by interview and/or medical record review.
    • Examination of the patient's demonstrated abilities, as they relate to functional mobility and performance of activities of daily living.
    • Assessment of the patient's perceptions of physical limitation and their effects on his/her daily life.
    • Determination of a diagnosis.
    • Development of an appropriate treatment plan.
  • Interventions services provided by PTs can:
    • Improve strength, flexibility, balance and coordination.
    • Enhance functional mobility.
    • Increase independence in activities of daily living.
  • PTs provide therapy services in inpatient and outpatient settings.
    • In inpatient rehabilitation settings, therapies occur on 5 out of 7 days.
    • In outpatient rehabilitation settings, therapies may occur from 1-3 times/week.
    • Typical therapy sessions range from 30-60 minutes.
 

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This project was supported, in part, by grant number 90TBSG0040-03-00, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points or view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy, nor positions of Curators of the University of Missouri, UMKC, any partners, or additional funding sources.