October is Physical Therapy Month, a good time to consider just how physical therapy, or PT, can help our patients.

These days, older Americans are staying active well into their 70s, 80s, and even 90s. This is possible because they have maintained their muscle strength.

As experts in human movement and the musculoskeletal system, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants can help people of all ages improve muscle strength.

As a physical therapist, I focus my treatments on improving how my patient moves. Through an emphasis on proper human movement, these professionals correct deficits in the musculoskeletal system, improving function and alleviating pain.

As older adults build musculoskeletal strength, they see a decreased risk for falls, and reduced risk of injury and faster recovery from injuries if they do fall.

Whether suffering from low back pain, recovering from surgery or managing long COVID syndrome, PT can help individuals maximize their physical potential throughout their lives.

The American Physical Therapy Association describes its vision for the physical therapy profession as “transforming society through optimizing movement to improve the human experience.” As a physical therapist, I am proud to help fulfill that vision.