The Foundation for the Management of Pathology is a Strong Knowledge of Normal Anatomy and Physiology

















The World Health Organization has developed the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) as a universally accepted framework for understanding health and disability in a multi-dimensional way that help inform clinicians how health management may proceed.

The ICF includes an elaborate listing of alphanumeric codes that classify the various dimensions of health.

The codes are not central to the responsibilities of the physical therapist assistant. However, the establishment of a common language and the interrelationships of the health dimensions are helpful in developing effective clinical skills.





Body functions - The physiological functions of body systems (including psychological functions).

Body structures - Anatomical parts of the body such as organs, limbs and their components.


Impairments - Problems in body function and structure such as significant deviation or loss.


Activity - The execution of a task or action by an individual.


Activity limitations - Difficulties an individual may have in executing activities.


Participation restrictions - Problems an individual may experience in involvement in life situations.


Environmental factors - The physical, social and attitudinal environment in which people live and conduct their lives. These are either barriers to or facilitators of the person's functioning.


*Personal factors - Influence how disability is experienced by the individual and some, such as age and gender, are commonly included in data collections.











Disease Versus Normal Consequences of Aging





It is important for clinicians to distinguish between disease and normal consequences of aging and how the aging process contributes to or exacerbates the disease process.















Physical Therapy Intervention



Physical therapy interventions may be applied to a myriad of pathological conditions. Physical therapy includes the use of evidenced-based interventions aimed at improving, maintaining, or restoring physical mobility, function, and quality of life.