The Physical Therapy Prescription

Numerous guidelines recommend physical therapy for the management of musculoskeletal conditions. However, specific recommendations are lacking concerning which exercises and adjunct modalities to use.

There is some evidence that specific exercises performed with the instruction of physical therapists improve outcomes in patients with low back pain. A physical therapy prescription should include the diagnosis; type, frequency, and duration of the prescribed therapy; goals of therapy; and safety precautions.

Rand SE, Goerlich C, Marchand K, Jablecki N. The Physical Therapy Prescription. American Family Physician. Leawood: Dec 1, 2007. Vol. 76, Iss. 11; p. 1661