What Does a Physical Therapist Do?
By Nova Physical Therapy, an outpatient physical therapy clinic in North Hollywood, CA | Published October 2026
October is National Physical Therapy Month, a good time to answer a question many people have but rarely ask out loud: what does a physical therapist actually do?
If you picture someone handing you a sheet of exercises, you're only seeing a small part of it. This article explains what physical therapists do, what conditions they help with, what to expect at your first visit, and how to choose the right one.
The short answer
Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who examine, diagnose, and treat problems with movement and function in people of all ages (APTA). They help people recover from injuries and surgery, manage pain, move better, and get back to work, sports, and daily life, often without the need for more invasive care. In the U.S., physical therapists earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and pass a state licensure exam. In California, you can see a physical therapist without a referral.
What does a physical therapist do?
A physical therapist's job is to understand why you're having trouble moving or why something hurts, and then build a plan to help. That usually includes:
• Evaluation: a detailed history and hands-on exam of how you move, how strong and flexible you are, and what makes your symptoms better or worse
• Screening: checking for signs that a problem needs a physician's care, and referring when it does
• A treatment plan: clear goals and a plan built around what matters to you
• Exercise: strengthening, mobility, balance, and movement training, progressed over time
• Hands-on treatment: joint and soft tissue techniques, when they help you move more comfortably
• Education: explaining what's going on, what to expect, and how to manage it yourself
• Return to activity: guiding your return to work, sports, driving, or the things you love
Physical therapists work in many settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, people's homes, schools, sports facilities, workplaces, and nursing homes (APTA).
What conditions can physical therapy help with?
Outpatient physical therapy commonly helps with:
• Back and neck pain, including pain that travels into the arm or leg
• Joint pain in the knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, elbow, or wrist
• Sports injuries, such as sprains, strains, and tendon problems
• Work injuries, from lifting strains to repetitive-use problems
• Injuries after a car accident, such as whiplash, once a physician has ruled out serious injury
• Rehab after surgery, like knee or shoulder procedures
• Balance problems and fall risk
• Arthritis and age-related stiffness
• Headaches that are linked to the neck
If you're not sure whether physical therapy is right for your problem, an evaluation can help answer that. If something needs a physician's attention first, your physical therapist will tell you.
At Nova Physical Therapy in North Hollywood, our core services are sports injury rehab, work injury physical therapy, auto accident recovery, knee rehabilitation, back and neck pain, and shoulder recovery, and every plan starts with an evaluation so treatment fits what we find.
What happens at the first visit?
Your first visit is mostly about understanding your problem. Expect your physical therapist to:
• Ask about your symptoms, how they started, and your health history
• Ask about your goals, such as walking without pain, lifting your kids, or getting back to running
• Watch how you move and test your strength, flexibility, and balance
• Check for any signs that need a physician's evaluation
• Explain what they found in plain language
• Agree on a plan with you, and often start treatment and a home program the same day
Tips to get the most from your first visit:
• Wear comfortable clothes that let the therapist see and move the area that hurts
• Bring any imaging reports, surgery notes, or physician referrals you have
• Bring a list of your medications
• Write down your questions ahead of time
Nova works with Medicare, many major insurance plans and medical groups, and workers' compensation networks. See our insurance page or call to confirm your coverage before your visit.
How long does physical therapy take?
It depends on your condition, how long you've had it, your goals, and how consistently you follow your home program. Some people need a handful of visits; others, such as those recovering from surgery, need a longer course of care. Your physical therapist should give you an estimate after your evaluation and update it as you progress. No physical therapist can guarantee a specific result or timeline.
How do I choose a physical therapist?
A few things to look for:
• A valid California license. You can look up any physical therapist's license through the California Department of Consumer Affairs license search.
• Experience with your problem. Ask whether the clinic regularly treats people with your condition or injury.
• A clear plan and goals. You should understand what's being done and why.
• An active approach. Good care usually includes exercise and teaches you how to manage on your own.
• Communication. Your physical therapist should coordinate with your physician when needed.
• Practical fit. Location, hours, and insurance matter, because consistency matters.
Do I need a referral for physical therapy in California?
Not to get started. California allows direct access to physical therapy. A physical therapist can evaluate and treat you without a referral for up to 45 calendar days or 12 visits, whichever comes first. After that, a physician or podiatrist needs to sign the plan of care for treatment to continue. Your insurance plan may have its own referral rules, so check your coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Is a physical therapist a doctor?
Physical therapists in the U.S. now earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. They are not medical doctors (physicians), and they don't prescribe medication or perform surgery. They are licensed to examine and treat movement-related problems and to refer to physicians when needed.
Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist in California?
No, not to start. California allows direct access within the limits described above, though some insurance plans have their own referral rules.
Does physical therapy hurt?
Some exercises or hands-on techniques may be uncomfortable, but treatment is adjusted to what you can tolerate. Your physical therapist should explain what you'll feel and why.
What should I wear to physical therapy?
Comfortable clothes you can move in. Shorts are helpful for hip, knee, or ankle problems, and a tank top or loose shirt helps for shoulder or neck problems.
Is physical therapy covered by insurance?
Many plans cover physical therapy, but coverage, copays, and visit limits vary. Check with your plan, and call the clinic to confirm before your first visit.
Can physical therapy help me avoid surgery?
For some conditions, physical therapy is a first-line treatment, but no one can promise you'll avoid surgery. Decisions about surgery are made with your physician or surgeon.
What is National Physical Therapy Month?
Every October, the American Physical Therapy Association uses National Physical Therapy Month to raise awareness of how physical therapists help people move and feel better (APTA).
About Nova Physical Therapy
Nova Physical Therapy is an outpatient physical therapy clinic in North Hollywood, California, led by a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We help people recover from back and neck pain, sports injuries, work injuries, auto accident injuries, knee pain, and shoulder problems, and we also work with balance problems and rehab after surgery. Patients come to us from North Hollywood, Burbank, Studio City, Toluca Lake, Valley Village, and across the San Fernando Valley. Learn more about Nova or see our services.
Schedule an evaluation
If pain or an injury is getting in the way of work, sports, or daily life, an evaluation is a simple first step toward a plan.
Nova Physical Therapy
4795 Vineland Ave #E, North Hollywood, CA 91602
Call (818) 639-3402 | Book an appointment online
Disclaimer
This article is for general education only. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation for any individual. Only an in-person evaluation can determine whether physical therapy is right for you. No treatment guarantees symptom resolution, and results vary. Physical therapists evaluate movement and function within their scope of practice and refer to physicians when findings warrant. Physical therapy in California is regulated by the Physical Therapy Board of California.
References
1. American Physical Therapy Association. Becoming a Physical Therapist. Link
2. American Physical Therapy Association. APTA launches campaign tools for National Physical Therapy Month. September 30, 2026. Link
3. California Department of Consumer Affairs. License Search. Link