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A physical therapist is not only concerned with strength, but also with range of motion.

cause of a patient’s lack of mobility. PTs take a detailed patient history, making note of any ill- nesses or injuries that could have led to the patient’s movement problems. They can perform diagnostic testing, including x- rays and ultrasound, to determine if there are underlying caus- es of a person’s pain or impairment. They can order additional imaging studies, such as CT scans and MRIs to get a better pic- ture of how a particular body part is working. Once they have gathered all this information, PTs can determine the best course of treatment for their patient and make a referral to a physician or surgeon, if necessary.

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Physical Therapists