Final answer:
Physical therapy is the health field focused on rehabilitating physical functioning and mitigating functional deficits. Physical therapists are highly trained to assess muscle impairments and design customized treatment plans, which may include exercises, heat packs, and ice. Physics principles are applied in exercises to heal and strengthen muscles and joints.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical therapy is a health profession dedicated to improving physical functioning and assuaging functional impairments. A physical therapist, commonly referred to as a PT, is equipped with a master's degree or doctorate, signifying advanced understanding in the mechanics of body movements. These professionals possess expertise in discerning the root causes of muscle impairment and fabricating personalized programs to bolster a patient's strength, balance, and endurance.
During therapy, a PT might initiate the process by applying a heat pack to the injured area to warm the muscles and encourage blood flow which aids healing. Following this, prescribed exercises and possibly icing to mitigate inflammation and swelling may take place. Notably, some PTs specialize in sports injuries, extending their knowledge to particular types of muscle and joint traumas.
Physical therapists utilize physics knowledge to design exercise routines that employ specific forces and torques, potentially even underwater for greater resistance, to rejuvenate muscles and joints. They also guide patients in the use of assistive equipment like crutches, gauging their adequacy in terms of patient strength and autonomy. The culmination of therapy involves an exit exam and a comprehensive report of the patient's progress, including any improved range of motion and restored limb function.