W3 - Introduction to Physical Therapy – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, history, practice models, settings, specialties, professional milestones, and guiding principles of the physical therapy profession.

Physical Therapy

A dynamic health profession that restores, maintains, and promotes optimal physical function through evidence-based clinical applications.

Guide to Physical Therapist Practice

APTA reference that describes PT practice, standardizes terminology, outlines roles of PT/PTA, and guides patient care decision-making.

Physical Therapist (PT)

Licensed health professional who examines, evaluates, diagnoses, prognoses, and implements plans of care to optimize movement and function.

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Licensed clinician who provides selected PT interventions under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

Examination

PT’s comprehensive process of history, systems review, and tests & measures performed prior to intervention.

Evaluation

Clinical judgments the PT makes after interpreting examination data to establish diagnosis and prognosis.

Physical Therapy Diagnosis

Label assigned by the PT that identifies the impact of health conditions on movement and function at the system or whole-person level.

Medical Diagnosis

Disease or disorder identified by a physician based on medical tests, imaging, and pathology.

Prognosis

Predicted optimal improvement level and time frame established by the PT.

Plan of Care (POC)

Written statements of goals, anticipated outcomes, interventions, duration, and frequency developed by the PT.

Intervention

Purposeful PT/PTA interactions and techniques designed to reach established goals.

Re-examination

Repeating selected tests to assess progress or modify the intervention plan.

Outcomes

Results that indicate the impact of PT on impairments, activity limitations, participation, prevention, and satisfaction.

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

WHO framework that provides a common language to describe health, functioning, and disability.

Health Condition (ICF)

Disease, disorder, injury, or circumstance affecting health status.

Impairment

Problem in body function or structure, such as weakness or pain.

Activity Limitation

Difficulty executing tasks or actions (e.g., walking, ADLs).

Participation Restriction

Problem involvement in life situations (e.g., work, community roles).

Personal Factors

Individual characteristics such as age, gender, habits that influence functioning.

Environmental Factors

Physical, social, and attitudinal surroundings that affect performance and disability.

Reconstruction Aide

Early WWI practitioner (precursor to PT/OT) providing “reconstruction therapy” to wounded soldiers.

American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association (AWPTA)

First national PT organization founded in 1921; later evolved into the APTA.

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

National professional organization for PTs and PTAs, established 1946.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

Agency that accredits PT and PTA education programs (formed 1977).

American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS)

APTA board that certifies PTs in specialty areas (created 1978).

Direct Access

Legal right of patients to receive PT services without physician referral; first enacted in 20 states by 1988.

Balanced Budget Act of 1997

Legislation that imposed an annual Medicare therapy cap, affecting PT service reimbursement.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Integration of best research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values in PT decision-making.

PTA Caucus

Body formed in 2005 to represent PTA interests within APTA governance.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Federal agency whose 1970 creation expanded PT roles in workplace injury prevention and ergonomics.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

1975 law that expanded PT services into school systems for children with disabilities.

Movement System

Core professional identity recognizing PTs as experts in human movement across body systems.

Acute Care Setting

Hospital-based inpatient environment with stays <30 days; fast-paced, diverse diagnoses.

Subacute Care / Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

Intermediate-level care for patients too ill for home but not requiring acute hospitalization.

Outpatient Clinic

Ambulatory setting where patients travel for PT services; may be hospital-based or private.

Rehabilitation Hospital/Center

Facility providing interdisciplinary rehab (PT, OT, Speech, etc.) to restore function after disability.

Chronic Care Facility

Institution providing long-term (>60 days) management of irreversible or chronic conditions.

Home Health Care

PT services delivered in a patient’s residence for those deemed homebound.

Pediatrics Setting

PT services in homes, schools, or clinics for infants, children, and adolescents with developmental needs.

Cardiovascular & Pulmonary PT

Specialty treating heart and lung conditions using exercise training and airway clearance.

Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Management of musculoskeletal injuries, post-surgical rehab, and pain using manual therapy, exercise, and modalities.

Sports Physical Therapy

Prevention, evaluation, and treatment of athletic injuries; performance enhancement for athletes.

Neurologic Physical Therapy

Rehabilitation of patients with nervous system disorders such as stroke, SCI, Parkinson’s, or MS.

Pediatric Physical Therapy

Early detection and intervention for congenital, developmental, or neuromuscular disorders in children.

Geriatric Physical Therapy

Care focused on mobility, function, and pain in older adults facing age-related conditions.

Women’s Health Physical Therapy

Specialty addressing conditions unique to or differing in women, including pelvic pain and postpartum issues.

Integumentary Physical Therapy

Wound care specialty treating burns, ulcers, and skin injuries with dressings and scar management.

PTA Recognition of Advanced Proficiency Program (APP)

APTA program that acknowledges PTAs who achieve advanced skills in designated practice areas.

Progressive Resistive Exercises (PREs)

Strengthening method developed by DeLorme in 1945 using incremental resistance.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

Neuromuscular treatment approach created by Kabat (1950) and later expanded by Knott & Voss.

Williams Exercises

Lumbar flexion exercise program introduced in 1953 to relieve back pain by strengthening spinal muscles.

Pendulum Exercises

Shoulder mobilization technique introduced by Codman in 1934 for post-injury rehab.

Hippotherapy

Therapeutic horseback-based exercise used by ancient Greeks for physical rehabilitation.

Diathermy

Deep-heating modality invented by Nikola Tesla in 1890 for tissue healing.

Hydrotherapy

Use of water (e.g., pools, whirlpools) for therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation.

Ultrasound (US) Modality

Sound-wave based treatment used to heat or stimulate soft tissues in orthopedic PT.

APTA Vision Statement (Current)

"Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience."

Guiding Principle – Identity

PT profession recognized as experts in the movement system in practice, education, and research.

Guiding Principle – Quality

Commitment to evidence-based principles across practice, education, and research.

Guiding Principle – Collaboration

Valuing interprofessional teamwork to provide integrated services for society and consumers.

Guiding Principle – Value

Providing safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable services with meaningful outcomes.

Guiding Principle – Innovation

Developing inventive practices in research, education, and clinical care to lead health care.

Guiding Principle – Consumer-centricity

Placing patient needs and cultural values at the center of all professional interactions.

Guiding Principle – Access/Equity

Creating avenues to reach all people in need of PT care and education.

Guiding Principle – Advocacy

Actively supporting consumer interests in research, education, and practice.

Musculoskeletal System

Body structures—bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints—often addressed in orthopedic PT.

Neuromusculoskeletal & Movement-Related Functions

ICF body function category encompassing muscle power, tone, and movement patterns.

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Entry-level professional doctorate degree for PTs; widespread adoption began in 1999.

PTA Scope of Work

Implementation of selected interventions, data collection, and patient/family education under PT supervision.

Patient/Client Management Model

PT process consisting of examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis/POC, intervention, re-examination, outcomes.

Board-Certified Clinical Specialist

PT who has achieved ABPTS certification in a specific practice area (e.g., orthopedics, neuro).

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – PT Role

OSHA’s establishment created opportunities for PTs in workplace ergonomics and injury prevention.

National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis

Organization founded in 1937 to combat polio; supported PT education and services.

Mastery Years (1970-1996)

Era featuring PTA inception, growth of PT specializations, and expansion into new practice arenas.

Vision & Application of Scientific Pursuit Years (2006-Present)

Current era emphasizing evidence-based practice, direct access, and DPT education.

Reconstruction Era (1914-1920)

Period marked by WWI and polio outbreaks that led to the birth of modern physical therapy.

Great Depression Impact on PT

Economic hardship closed facilities, but polio care and federal funding sustained PT growth.

Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act (2005)

Law granting Medicare Part B beneficiaries direct access to PT services.

Therapy Cap Exceptions Process

Post-1999 mechanism allowing Medicare beneficiaries to receive PT services beyond annual monetary limits.