What do physical therapists do?

     Physical therapists carry out a lot of responsibilities. First and foremost, a physical therapist helps their patient to recover from an injury using many different treatments such as: exercise, massages, heat, cold, electricity and much more. They also assist their patients in regaining their strength and mobility that they may have lost due to their injury. Also, physical therapists may act as a support system to their patients. Physical therapy is not an easy process to undergo, as a lot of the rehabilitation is painful for the patient. Physical therapists make their patients aware that it is supposed to hurt and that the pain only shows the injury strengthening and healing itself. This is a very important part of the job, because some patients may need a lot of encouragement to keep going, and physical therapists make sure their patients never give up. Some past times of physical therapists include going to sporting games and playing sports themselves. In doing so, they are in the environment that they are comfortable with (being with athletes). For further interest on what physical therapists do, you may watch the video from the American Physical Therapy Association below.