About Physical Therapy: A Patient’s Guide

Department of Rehabilitation Therapies
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
Creation Date: November 2002
Last Revision Date: November 2002

Table of Contents

Physical therapy helps people restore and maintain optimal physical function. Physical therapists use examination and treatment to help people improve their ability to move and function as best they can to enable them to perform their necessary daily activities.

Physical therapists provide services to assist people in preventing injury and illness, or worsening an existing injury. Therapists work with people of all ages who require assistance due to illness, injury, or developmental delay.

Physical Therapy for Hopitalized Patients

Typical Outpatient Physical Therapy Services:

• Aquatic Therapy

• Hand Therapy

• Sports Therapy

• Vestibuler Rehabilitation

• Women’s Health Related Therapy

Back and Neck Problems

• Hurt vs. Harm: Understanding Pain

• Facts about Back and Neck Problems