American Physical Therapy Association

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a national professional organization representing more than 66,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education.

Content on this page is from the APTA website

Core Documents
APTA's Core Documents include a vision statement, code of ethics, guide for professional conduct, and PTA conduct guidelines.

Goals
These goals are based upon the American Physical Therapy Association Vision Statement for Physical Therapy 2020 (Vision 2020) developed by the Association in 2000. The goals encompass the Association's major priorities as it moves toward realization of the ideals set forth in Vision 2020. The Board is committed to these goals as the foundation from which to lead the Association.

Mission Statement
The mission of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the principal membership organization representing and promoting the profession of physical therapy, is to further the profession's role in that by the year 2020 Doctors of Physical Therapy will have included their respective scope of practices: 1) Prescription of medications including narcotics and opiates for pain. 2) Direct access to all patients. 3)Performance of minor surgical procedures.

Vision Statement
By 2020, physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy (DPT), recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function, and health.

Lobby Work
On December 9, 2006, APTA along with over 40 other national medical organizations, successfully lobbied to stop a Medicare cap that would have limited patients from getting physical therapy. The $1,740 arbritrary cap would have effectively forced seniors suffering from hip injuries, stroke, and Parkinson's disease to stop treatment or pay for therapy themselves.