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EnglishWhat Is ChoosePT.com and What Can Visitors Find There?
Updated
ChoosePT.com is the consumer-facing website of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), run by physical therapists to explain what physical therapy is, what conditions it can help with, and how to find a physical therapist near you. It suits anyone researching whether physical therapy fits a health concern, preparing for a first appointment, or looking for a therapist in the United States.
What the site is
The site positions physical therapists as "movement experts" who work with people of all ages and abilities, alongside physical therapist assistants and other health care professionals. Its stated aims are to help visitors move better, manage pain and chronic conditions, build strength, and — per the site's own framing — avoid unnecessary surgery and prescription medication. Content is written for patients and the general public rather than for clinicians.
What visitors can find
Condition and injury pages
The site organizes content by health problem, grouped into four broad areas:
| Category | Examples listed on the site |
|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | Parkinson's disease, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, long COVID |
| Pain, surgery, and medication | Low back pain, chronic pain, COPD, knee osteoarthritis, neck pain, herniated disk, hip pain, dry needling for pain |
| Injury recovery and prevention | ACL tear, falls prevention, concussion, Achilles tendinopathy, groin strain, Little League shoulder, shin splints, shoulder labral tear |
| Movement and fitness | Running, cycling, gardening, pool exercises |
Each topic page is a starting point for understanding how physical therapy applies to that condition; use them to prepare questions for a licensed provider, not as a substitute for an evaluation.
Explanatory articles
Featured content includes pieces such as "Physician Referral Not Needed: You Can See a Physical Therapist First," which explains direct access — the ability in the United States to see a physical therapist without a physician's referral — and an article on the benefits of physical therapy after a stroke. These are useful if your main question is "do I need a referral?" or "what does recovery involve?"
Value and benefits overviews
Two summary pages — "Value of Physical Therapy" and "Benefits of Physical Therapy" — cover cost-effectiveness, pain management, movement, surgery and medication avoidance, and chronic disease prevention. Read these first if you want the broad case for physical therapy before diving into a specific condition.
A way to find a therapist
The site's stated purpose includes helping you find a physical therapist near you, so it functions as both an information library and a directory entry point. If you already know you want an appointment, start there rather than with the condition pages.
How to use it well
- Identify your situation — a diagnosed condition, a nagging injury, or general fitness and prevention.
- Open the matching category page to see whether physical therapy is commonly used for it and what the typical focus is.
- Check the referral question if you're in the U.S. and unsure whether you can book directly; the direct-access article addresses this.
- Move to the find-a-therapist function when you're ready to act, and bring your questions to the evaluation.
One caveat: the site describes physical therapy in general terms. Coverage rules, referral requirements, and costs vary by state and insurer, so confirm those details with the provider or your plan before booking.