Physical therapists (PTs) are licensed health care professionals who evaluate and treat people with health problems resulting from injury or disease and who promote health/wellness and injury prevention. PTs assess joint motion, muscle strength and endurance, function of the heart and lungs, performance of activities required in daily living, and other work-related responsibilities. Other functions of PTs include supervision, management, research, teaching, and consultation. Physical therapists may engage in independent practice or may be employed by hospitals, rehabilitation centers, extended care facilities, home health agencies, outpatient clinics, schools, athletic programs, industry, community health centers, health/wellness/prevention centers, research centers, and university-based PT programs.

PTs are members of a health care team who work in close collaboration with other health care professionals such as physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, podiatrists, dentists, and social workers in order to provide the most cost effective quality care to a diverse group of patients.