Physical Therapy, is a health care profession which provides services to individuals and populations to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout their lifespan. This includes providing services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors. Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy.

Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, habilitation and rehabilitation. This encompasses physical, psychological, emotional, and social well being. Physical therapy involves the interaction between physical therapist (PT), patients/clients, other health professionals, families, care givers, and communities in a process where movement potential is assessed and goals are agreed upon, using knowledge and skills unique to physical therapists. Physical therapy is performed by either a physical therapist (PT) or an assistant (PTA) acting under their direction.

PT's utilize an individual's history and physical examination to arrive at a diagnosis and establish a treatment plan, and when necessary, incorporate the results of laboratory and imaging studies.

Physical therapy has many specialties including cardiopulmonary, geriatrics, neurological, orthopedic and pediatrics to name some of the more common areas. PT's practice in many settings, such as outpatient clinics or offices, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, extended care facilities, private homes, education and research centers, schools, hospices, industrial workplaces or other occupational environments, fitness centers and sports training facilities.

The integration of research evidence into practice has been, and continues to be, a challenge across the scope of medicine and physical therapy is no exception.