Physical therapy can teach patients specific exercises, stretches, techniques, and use specialized equipment to address problems that cannot be managed without physical therapy (PT) training.

Patients typically have a deficiency that needs to be addressed. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome may have weakness of specific hand muscles that require targeted exercises.

Physical therapists are knowledgeable about surgical procedures, treatment goals, musculoskeletal anatomy, and can taylor their efforts to improve the well-being of the patient. After procedures such as hip replaeement or ACL reconstruction, it is important that therapy is guided by the surgical procedure.

Some important things a therapist does are; stretching, strengthening, closed chain exercises, proprioceptive, ice and heat therapy, and ultrasound.