Other members of the team may include a physician, nurse, social worker, psychologist, occupational therapist and vocational counselor. Therapists help patients overcome disabilities through therapeutic exercise, massage and applications of heat, cold, water, and light. Patients include those who have been impaired by birth defects.
Therapists also participate in case conferences and work under the direction of a physician.
Physical Therapists review and evaluate patients' conditions and medical records, perform tests or measurements, interpret the findings and maintain documentation. They develop programs for treatment on the basis of their findings and in keeping with the doctor's directions. The goal of physical therapy is to help patients attain maximum muscle strength and motor skill in addition to accepting and adjusting to the limiting effects of their disabilities. In addition, they try to motivate and instruct patients, their families, and others who might help them through the treatment and convalescent period. Physical Therapists evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, discuss patient progress with other team members and may revise therapeutic procedures and treatments.