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Celebrating Physical Therapy Month: The Benefits of Physical Therapy 

  • Published: 10/10/2025
  • Revised: 10/10/2025
 Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
A woman with very light blonde hair wearing a black jacket over a black and white shirt and dark blue glasses stands over a woman wearing a black hijab, a black and white striped long sleeve shirt and black pants who is sitting on a stool with her hand on the head of a woman with long black braids wearing a light gray shirt and black leggings who is laying on a table.
Pitt Physical Therapy Professor Sue Whitney helps DPT hybrid students Zuleekha Aminu (DPT ‘25) and Jemimah Moise (DPT ‘25) during the DPT immersion in July 2024.

Who are Physical Therapists?

Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who specialize in movement and function. They evaluate how people move, identify challenges caused by injury, illness or disability, and create personalized treatment plans to improve strength, flexibility, balance and mobility. 

Physical therapists work with people of all ages, from infants to older adults in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers and homes. Their goal is to help individuals regain independence, reduce pain and enhance their overall quality of life through movement and exercise. 

“Physical therapy can decrease dizziness and falls, improve balance and improve people’s quality of life”

Professor Susan Whitney, DPT, PhD

Why Choose Physical Therapy? 

  • Maximize Movement — PT helps restore function and independence — essential for work, fitness and daily life. 
  • Stay Active and Healthy —Therapists help overcome barriers to physical activity, improving physical, mental and social well-being. 
  • Manage Pain Safely — PT offers safe, effective pain relief strategies. 
  • Avoid or Recover from Surgery – PT can be as effective as surgery for many conditions and helps prepare for or recover from procedures. 
A group of men and women standing together in a room while they look at a woman with brown hair wearing a blue shirt and black pants who is seated on a piece of adaptive equipment.
Pitt DPT students explore adaptive equipment and inclusive recreation during a hands-on learning session.

Personalized Care for Everybody 

Physical therapists work with each person as an individual, tailoring care to their body, lifestyle and goals, whether they’re coming back from an injury, managing a long-term condition or training for a sport. They take the time to listen, understand what matters most and create treatment plans that change as their patients’ progress. 

Through hands-on care, guided exercises and education, PTs help people regain strength, move more freely and feel confident in their bodies. 

“Physical therapy is the bridge between injury and independence, helping people reclaim their lives.”

Associate Professor Shilpa Gaikwad, PT, PhD

Learn More

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How to Become a Physical Therapist in 6 Steps

Are you looking to have a profound effect on people’s lives through improving their mobility and function? A career as a physical therapist could be for you! Our experts at Pitt PT give you all the insight on the steps needed to join the profession.

Read the story here.

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Pitt Doctor of Physical Therapy

Explore the Doctor of Physical Therapy webpage to learn more about admissions requirements, curriculum information, student involvements, alumni outcomes and program costs.

Students in a clinical classroom examine patients while an instructor looks on

Meet the Physical Therapy Faculty

Get to know the faculty within the Department of Physical Therapy at SHRS!

Explore the faculty features here.

EXPLORE

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Woman with short white blonde hair wearing a black suit jacket over a dark blue patterned blouse with a red heart pin and blue glasses.

Susan Whitney
Woman with long brown hair wearing a pink blazer over a black and white polka dot blouse.

Shilpa Gaikwad
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Kim Nixon-Cave