Physical Therapy Glossary

Basic self-care tasks used to assess functional independence in physical therapy practice.

The act of walking or moving from place to place, often used in clinical documentation to describe a patient's mobility...

Water-based rehabilitation utilizing hydrostatic properties to facilitate movement and healing.

Equipment designed to improve functional independence and safety, such as walkers, canes, or adaptive tools.

A neurological condition characterized by lack of muscle coordination and balance disorders.

A standardized 14-item assessment tool used to evaluate balance and fall risk in patients.

Systematic evaluation of body mechanics, posture, and movement patterns to identify dysfunction.

A neurological rehabilitation approach focusing on normal movement patterns and inhibiting abnormal reflexes.

The systematic process of analyzing patient information to determine appropriate assessment and treatment strategies.

Exercise performed with the distal segment fixed or in contact with a stable surface.

A framework explaining how the brain processes information during motor learning and skill acquisition.

Alternative movement patterns developed to accomplish tasks when normal movement is impaired.

The practice of completing clinical documentation during or immediately following patient treatment sessions to ensure a...

A permanent shortening of muscles, tendons, or ligaments resulting in joint deformity and restricted motion.

A condition or factor that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable or potentially harmful.

Current Procedural Terminology codes used for billing and documentation of specific physical therapy services and proced...

Therapeutic application of cold to reduce inflammation, pain, and muscle spasm.

A standardized outcome measure assessing upper extremity disability and symptoms.

Process of preparing patients for therapy termination and transition to independent function or alternative care.

Do Not Resuscitate directive affecting treatment intensity and emergency protocols in rehabilitation settings.

A motor speech disorder affecting articulation and intelligibility that physical therapists may address through respirat...

Impaired ability to judge distance and range of movement, resulting in over- or under-reaching.

A standardized measurement system used to quantify and document the severity of tissue swelling in clinical settings.

Therapeutic modality using electrical current to stimulate muscle contraction or provide pain relief.