Every October, the rehab therapy community celebrates National Physical Therapy Month (NPTM or PT Month), a time to recognize the essential role PT plays in helping people move better, recover faster, and live with greater independence.
Physical therapy month shines a national spotlight on the impact of physical therapists across clinical settings, communities, and care models. It’s a month built around awareness, education, injury prevention, and advocacy.
PT Month: History and Fun Facts
- National Physical Therapy Month began in 1981 as a single week dedicated to raising awareness about the benefits of physical therapy.
- Physical Therapy Month was formally expanded from a week to a full month in 1992 under the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
- The APTA chooses a new theme each year to spotlight key issues in the field, from pain management to preventive care.
- Global PT Day of Service (PTDOS) takes place during PT Month every year. The event has mobilizes tens of thousands of volunteers from across the U.S. and around the world.
Why Physical Therapy Is Core to Modern Care
Physical therapy is a frontline discipline in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. Among the many benefits of physical therapy, PTs and PTAs support recovery, reduce long-term healthcare spend, and help patients build healthier lives across all ages, abilities, and environments. Here are just few things to celebrate about the impact and value of physical therapy:
PT Reduces Total Cost of Care
Early and appropriate access to PT services lowers downstream costs by reducing reliance on imaging, surgery, and medications. In musculoskeletal care especially, PT helps patients avoid chronic pain cycles and higher-acuity interventions. That makes physical therapy a powerful component of value-based care models that aim to reduce unnecessary utilization.
Supports Coordinated, Multidisciplinary Care
Adult and pediatric therapists are increasingly integrated into collaborative care teams across outpatient, school-based, and home health environments. Their collaboration with OT, SLP, behavioral, and primary care providers helps ensure continuity, consistency, and better outcomes, especially when patients have complex or long-term needs.
Improves Everyday Function and Long-Term Quality of Life
For many patients, physical therapy marks the start of a new chapter. Whether recovering from a stroke, managing a chronic condition, or rebuilding strength after trauma, consistent, expert-guided PT can improve long-term health outcomes and reduce the likelihood of reinjury or readmission. The work PTs do is deeply personal and undeniably impactful, measured not just in clinical milestones, but in the ability to walk unaided, return to work, live without pain, or simply enjoy day-to-day life again.
Want to Celebrate Physical Therapy Month With Your Team? Start Here:
- Use themed hashtags like #ChoosePT and #PTMonth
- Highlight success stories from patients or providers
- Volunteer in your community during Global PT Day of Service
- Host a partner event with local organizations or schools
Physical Therapy Moves Us; We Help PT Move Forward
National Physical Therapy Month is a chance to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine what’s possible in rehab therapy. PT has the potential to reach more patients, deliver greater impact, and drive stronger outcomes.
Whether you’re a provider, a clinic owner, or part of a large therapy network, we invite you to celebrate this month not just by looking back, but by looking ahead.
Because the future of PT is one that empowers every provider to operate at the top of the profession. And Raintree is here to help power that future.