Physical Therapy Prescription: What is It?

What is a physical therapy prescription? For many adults, when complications involving the musculoskeletal system impair mobility and functioning, there is a need for physical therapy. When physical therapy is required, the services of a licensed physical therapist, or occupational therapist, may be requested.

Physical therapy is an important component to healthcare recovery. Offered in a variety of healthcare settings, from home therapy to rehabilitation centers, physical therapy is most commonly used to promote improved musculoskeletal health. In some patients, however, the use of physical therapy may be in direct need to treat cardiac complications or other disorders not related to the musculoskeletal system.

Treatment within the physical therapy practice is often referred to as modalities, exercise or manual therapy. With this three-prong approach, many physical therapists offer a comprehensive treatment plan to their clients. While the focus of many therapy programs is to restore mobility and reduce pain, the long term effect is to improve function and maintain independence, if possible.

In many cases of injury, your physician may recommend some home exercises. As part of your home exercise program, a prescription for a physical therapy session may be ordered so as to provide you with an instructional session on how to perform home exercises safely. For patients who require more supervised physical therapy, or physical therapy utilizing guided or assisted exercise, or use of specific equipment, a more advanced prescription for physical therapy may be ordered.

In the realm of treatment provided within a supervised therapy center, prescriptions for therapy may be simple and limited to only the region of the body affected while, for other patients, the therapy may incorporate a variety of services. The most common physical therapy services offered in the center or rehabilitation office will include ultrasound therapy, phonopohoresis, iontophoresis, electrical stimulation, hot-cold packs, low-laser therapy and even massage therapy.