About Physical Therapy
The Physical Therapy team evaluates, treats, and develops programs for patients who are acutely or chronically ill with musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and other disorders. Goals include restoration or maintenance of sensory and motor abilities to prevent, reverse, or minimize functional limitations/disabilities.
Physical Therapists provide patients with state-of-the-art evidence-based treatments (i.e. based on research) beginning with patient assessment and continuing with therapeutic interventions designed to result in the highest levels of functional activities individualized for each patient. Physical Therapy care begins at bedside and progresses to techniques supportive of recreation and employment.
The Physical Therapy clinical, research, and education programs at the National Institutes of Health are as richly diverse as the patient populations. The combined goal of these programs is for the patient to ultimately achieve the highest level of function possible.