What Do Physical Therapists Do and When Should you Refer to Them?

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Patients often have a view of Physical Therapists that includes: Drill Sergeants, Sadists, and Slave Drivers. But that isn’t what they really do. They may be bossy and give lots of instructions and exercises to complete, but they are really working toward improving a patient’s independence, function, and quality of life.

What They Do?
Look at a Patient’s Physical Capabilities. They are assessing strength, range of motion, posture, balance, transfers, and walking abilities to determine if there are any limitations.
Environment Safety. They look for any issues in a patient’s home that can pose a safety/fall risk such as: rugs, steps, and narrow pathways. They can then make recommendations to improve a patients’ safety.
Equipment Recommendations. Based on the physical capabilities that a patient has, the Physical Therapist will make recommendations for walkers, canes, wheelchairs, etc.
Exercise Prescription. Based on the limitations found, a physical therapist will select exercises to complete with the patient to improve their function and quality of life. These exercises are often written down for the patient as part of a home exercise program.

They don’t just look at the patients themselves, they look beyond whatever dysfunctions may exist to help a person overcome the barriers to their engagement in activity.

When to Refer?
Below is a small list of issues that should help guide you to referring to a PT.

• Difficulty walking? Unsteady on their feet? Multiple falls?
• Can they answer the door?
• Able to turn around safely if someone calls their name?
• Experiencing dizziness? Fogginess?
• Poor safety awareness?
• Is pain interfering with mobility?
• Low tolerance for activity? Fatiguing quickly?
• Do they live alone? If so, are you comfortable with that or does that little voice in your head start causing you to worry?  Does an alarm go off in your head when you find out they have no caregivers or assistance?
• If they have caregivers, do you feel comfortable with the way they assist your patient for transfers?  
• Does this patient spend most of their time seated in a wheelchair or lying down in bed?
• Does your patient suffer from a lack of engagement?  

If any of these questions give you pause OR you’re nodding in agreement with all or any question, then you know what you should do… Bring in a PT!