All physical therapists are qualified through higher education, clinical experience, and licensure to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a variety of symptoms and conditions. Many choose to focus their practice on a specific area or patient group and obtain advanced knowledge and experience in physical therapy specialty areas. Some attend residency programs, obtain board-certification, or go on to participate in fellowship programs. Learn more about these advanced learning pathways in physical therapy specialty areas.
Acute care physical therapists provide care for people with urgent medical conditions who need immediate medical attention. Conditions that require acute care can:
- Cause movement problems.
- Result in a loss of physical function.
- Lead to wounds.
Acute care physical therapists evaluate and manage movement problems that result from complex medical conditions. They are often consulted by other health care professionals within hospital settings. Acute care physical therapists see patients in a variety of settings, including:
- Emergency departments.
- Hospitals.
- Intensive care units.
Acute care physical therapists often care for people with health conditions, such as:
- Total joint replacements.
- Fractures or trauma.
- Stroke and spinal cord injuries.
- Falls risk or balance issues.
- Cancer-related physical problems.
- Medical problems and recovery from surgery.
- Infection, wounds, and burns.
- Heart and lung conditions.
- Organ transplants (both before and after).
Acute care physical therapists also recommend appropriate placement for further physical therapist services in the home or an outpatient, rehab, or skilled nursing facility after discharge.
In most situations, patients are assigned to a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant on duty during their stay in the emergency room, hospital, or ICU. If you require additional inpatient treatment after your hospital stay, skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility physical therapy staff will be assigned to your case during your stay. If you are discharged to home health care or need follow-on physical therapy in an outpatient clinic, the American Physical Therapy Association provides Find a PT to help you search for a physical therapist near you.
Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. You can see a physical therapist without a physician's referral for evaluation and treatment.*
*Insurance and corporate policies or state laws may still require a physician's referral or limit treatment scope and duration without a referral. Insurance policies also may restrict you to in-network providers.
