Welcome to the world of Physical Therapy!

Physical therapy is the art and science of the assessment of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function, and health. This is achieved in a variety of ways depending on the context of the need.

Examples include:

• Hands on therapy to restore motion and decrease pain.
• Movement pattern re-education to regain mobility in a surgical recovery ward
• Specialized sports conditioning for an athletic team
• The recovery of the ability to function in activities of daily living for home, work and recreation in an outpatient rehabilitation center.

We, the Physical Therapy Department, at the Pasadena Rehabilitation Institute fit into the first and last categories as a progressive outpatient rehabilitation center. The following is an overview of the components of the physical therapy care we provide.

After an initial evaluation or assessment of the condition, needs, and functional and personal goals of a patient, the physical therapist formulates an individualized treatment plan to best meet these goals. This initial evaluation includes a subjective interview, a physical examination and, most often, setting a home exercise program. The treatment plan coming from this evaluation will be carried out during future physical therapy treatment visits by the therapist and our well-trained support staff.

This treatment plan, tailored to maximize the attaining of the desired goals, is determined by the Physical Therapist and, as deemed appropriate for each case, can include the following:

1. Patient Education/Home Exercise Program Training: Necessary for daily maintenance or progression of strength, flexibility, mobility, correct postures or movement patterns; and for avoidance of patterns of behavior or movement contributing to a problem.
2. Therapeutic Exercises/Activities: These are designed to improve muscular strength, joint range of motion, flexibility of various structures, endurance, coordination and balance. They may be performed on mat surfaces, or using exercise equipment or a specialized apparatus.
3. Movement Pattern Re-education: This includes gaining new or relearning old patterns in walking on various surfaces, learning how to change positions out of and into a chair, car or bed, and improving contraction quality of specific muscle groups using neuromuscular stimulation devices.
4. Manual Techniques: This involves the mobilization of joint, nerve and soft- tissues such as tendon and muscle with various techniques including manual traction, deep-pressure and other release techniques. Goals for their use include increased movement, improved healing, reduction of pressure on specific tissues, restoration of proper movement patterns and symptom reduction.
5. Modalities: This is the general turn given to devices and tools used to reduce symptoms and, in some cases, aid in tissue healing. Heat and cold packs, electrical stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, and mechanical traction are examples of typical physical therapy modalities. Many of the effects of these modalities are only temporary and used in a supporting role to the other interventions.

The individualized physical therapy treatment plan may be modified by the therapist as a patient's condition changes to more effectively reach the therapy goals.

Re-evaluations are performed periodically on a regular basis in order to thoroughly assess the progress of the physical therapy treatment. The determination is made by the physical therapist from the re-evaluation, taking recommendations from referring physicians and feedback from the patient into consideration, as to the need and possible benefit of continued skilled physical therapy intervention. Continuation of physical therapy is appropriate when:

1. Measurable progress is made toward functional physical therapy goals
2. Continued functional progress requires skilled physical therapy intervention

Physical Therapy, at its center, is about restoring one's ability to return to and participate in the daily activities of living. We seek to help individuals maximize and reach their potential for this, and so strive to add quality to life.

If you have any specific questions regarding physical therapy care or the services we offer, you can contact our department @

1-800-80-REHAB