Physical therapy (PT) is a type of rehabilitation medicine that seeks to prevent, manage or treat a physical injury or dysfunction. Physical therapy is often used alongside other medical treatments, although it can also be used as a standalone therapy to restore a patient to pre-injury condition. Patients may be referred to PT providers for many reasons. For example, PT professionals can treat people who have been affected by the following: sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, surgeries, illnesses, chronic disorders (e.g., arthritis), and acts of violence. As diverse as these issues are, they have one thing in common: people recovering from all of them can benefit from physical therapy. A physical therapist uses a variety of treatment modalities to manage pain, improve movement and increase strength and flexibility. When patients are committed to working hard on their treatment plan, it is often possible to avoid surgery altogether. If a patient has already had surgery, a physical therapy plan can help that patient heal better. Even if a condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, is incurable, physical therapy can help significantly by reducing pain and improving function. This allows patients to get through their daily activities with minimal strain.