Physiotherapy is used to help restore or increase strength and movement in joints that have been affected by pain, injury or stroke. It is also used to reduce pain, inflammation and muscle spasm. Stroke, arthritis, fractures, and nerve lesions (damage) are also common conditions treated. Some of the conditions that physical therapists manage include:

• Back and neck pain.
  
• Spinal and joint conditions, such as arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
  
• Biomechanical problems and muscular control.
  
• Problems affecting children, such as cerebral palsy and spinal bifida.
  
• Heart and lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and pneumonia.
  
• Sport-related injuries.
  
• Stress incontinence.
  
• Neurological conditions: Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Paraplegia

Who is a physical therapist?
Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs also help prevent conditions associated with loss of mobility through fitness and wellness programs that achieve healthy and active lifestyles.
PTs examine individuals and develop plans using treatment techniques that promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, improve functional independence and prevent disability. They provide care in hospitals, clinics, schools, sports facilities, and more. PTs must have a graduate degree from an accredited physical therapy program before taking the national licensure examination.
The minimum educational requirement is a Bachelor's degree, yet most educational programs now offer Master's in specialization in various fields like cardiac, neuro, ortho and community physiotherapy.

Practice of Physiotherapy
The scope of practice of physical therapy varies from region to region, depending on the structure of the local health-care system. Physiotherapists in some Countries like the United States, enjoy professional autonomy, and are allowed to act as primary care providers, they do not require a referral from a physician to treat. In India too professional autonomy is found in areas of personal training and Sports medicine. Exclusive physiotherapy clinics are also available that both diagnose and treat function related medical disorders.
Physical therapists can practice in a wide variety of practice settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, sports facilities, corporate care and home care. Some practice settings demand a broad knowledge of a wide variety of conditions, while others permit a special interest approach.
An advancement of technology has allowed physical therapists to give treatment advice via tele-health. Examples of which include cardiac rehab and online treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. SSSIHMS is progressing towards having a telemedicine wing which is in the nascent stages.

Physical Therapy Assessment
A physical therapist will initially conduct a subjective examination (interview) of a patient's medical history, and then go on to the objective assessment (physical examination). The subjective examination is guided by the presenting system and complaint, and the objective assessment is in turn guided by the history.
As such, the objective examination will then use certain quantifiable measurements to both guide diagnosis and for progress monitoring.
For instance, a musculoskeletal exam may involve, assessment of joint range of motion, muscle power, neurological assessment, motor control, and posture, where as a cardiopulmonary assessment may involve lung auscultation, pulmonary function testing and exercise physiology testing.
A physical therapist may order diagnostic imaging tests such as x-rays and MRIs to obtain more information about a patient's clinical condition and determine the treatment plan including referral to other practitioners. Physical therapists may perform or advise for electromyography and nerve conduction testing to aid in the diagnosis of muscle and nerve disorders.

Physical therapy Treatment
Guided by the assessment findings, the physical therapist will then develop and facilitate a treatment plan. Aside from the various physiotherapeutic techniques involved in therapy, the treatment regime may include prescribing and advice regarding assistive walking devices; should consider functional progress; and include ongoing review and refinement. Patient education is a key aspect of all treatment plans. The family being the primary care giver is also instructed about the treatment program.