DrSensory Clinic Directory
Physical Therapy for Children and Adults
850 physical therapy clinics across 101 cities — search by name, city or state.
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Physical therapy (PT) builds the movement people rely on to take part in daily life — strength, balance, coordination and mobility. For children that means the gross-motor skills play and school depend on; for adults it more often means recovering movement after injury, surgery or illness. A physical therapist assesses how a child moves and why movement is difficult, then works on motor milestones, posture and core stability, walking and gait, balance, and mobility, often with positioning, equipment, or orthotics where useful. The goal is function and participation, and the most effective approaches are task-oriented — working on the specific activities a child wants to do. For children under three in the US, a parent can request an evaluation directly. Physical therapy is not only for children — see physical therapy for adults below.
Browse physical therapy by state
Each state page lists clinics city by city, with what to look for and how licensing works there.
Browse occupational, physical and speech therapy by state →
What physical therapy helps with
PTs work on how a child moves through the world. Common areas include delayed motor milestones, low muscle tone, postural difficulties, coordination difficulty (DCD), balance and gait, torticollis and toe walking, and the motor and mobility needs of cerebral palsy and other conditions.
Who it helps, and at what ages
From infancy through the teen years — early on, PT supports head control, rolling, sitting, and walking; later, coordination, strength, endurance, and sports participation. It's common for children with neurological and genetic conditions, motor delays, and orthopedic differences, and for babies with torticollis or positional differences.
What assessment and a session involve
A PT evaluation combines a developmental and medical history, standardized motor assessments, and observation of how a child moves. Goals are set in functional terms — "climbs stairs with alternating feet," not "improves gross-motor skills." The most effective therapy is task-oriented, working directly on the activities a child is trying to do, and sessions for young children are play-based. Parents are coached to carry the work into daily routines.
When to consider a referral
Consider a PT assessment for missed motor milestones (not sitting by around 9 months, not walking by around 18 months), consistent use of one side of the body, unusual stiffness or floppiness, persistent toe walking, frequent falling or fatigue, or a head-turn preference in a baby. Loss of a motor skill a child previously had warrants prompt medical evaluation at any age.
How to choose a provider
Look for a licensed physical therapist (PT, DPT) with pediatric experience relevant to your child. Ask about their experience with children like yours, how they set and measure functional goals, whether their approach is task-oriented, and how they involve parents. Fit between child, family, and therapist matters alongside the credential.
Access and coverage
Under 3: free early-intervention evaluation through IDEA Part C — a parent can refer directly. 3 and over: school-based PT where movement needs affect education, plus clinic-based PT through insurance or privately. Confirm what your plan covers.
Physical therapy for adults
Most physical therapy in the US is delivered to adults, and the principle that runs through it is the same one that runs through the pediatric side: active treatment beats passive treatment. Graded movement, loading, and building capacity produce more durable results than modalities applied while you lie still, and recovery is measured in what you can do again rather than in what a scan shows.
Adults see physical therapists for back, neck, shoulder, hip, and knee problems, after orthopedic surgery, after a stroke or with Parkinson's disease and other neurologic conditions, for balance and falls in later life, for return to sport after injury, and for persistent pain that has outlasted the tissue that started it.
In many US states you can see a physical therapist without a physician referral, though your insurance may still require one — the clinic will know how it works locally.
Orthopedic · Neurologic · Geriatric · Sports · Pain and chronic conditions · All adult therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a pediatric physical therapist do?
A pediatric PT helps children move and participate — building gross-motor skills, strength, balance, coordination, and mobility. They assess how a child moves and why it's difficult, then work on motor milestones, posture, gait, and balance, using task-oriented approaches focused on real activities.
How do I know if my child needs physical therapy?
Consider a PT assessment for missed motor milestones, consistent use of one side of the body, unusual stiffness or floppiness, persistent toe walking, frequent falling or fatigue, or a head-turn preference in a baby. Loss of a motor skill warrants prompt medical evaluation.
What happens in a physical therapy session?
For young children, sessions are play-based and task-oriented — building movement skills through the specific activities a child wants to do. The PT sets functional goals, works on them through play and practice, and coaches parents to carry the work into daily routines.
How do I get physical therapy for my child?
Under three, request a free evaluation through your state's early-intervention program — you can refer your own child. Three and over, school-based PT is available where movement needs affect education, and clinic-based PT through insurance or privately.
What's the difference between PT and OT?
Physical therapy focuses on gross-motor skills, strength, mobility, and movement; occupational therapy focuses on daily activities, fine-motor skills, sensory processing, and self-care. Many children benefit from both. See our occupational therapy hub for more.
Do physical therapists treat adults?
Yes — most physical therapy in the US is delivered to adults. Common reasons include back, neck, shoulder, hip and knee problems, recovery after orthopedic surgery, stroke and Parkinson's disease, balance and falls in later life, return to sport, and persistent pain. In many states you can be seen without a physician referral, though your insurance may still require one.
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List your business →Medical disclaimer. This directory is for general informational purposes. A listing is not an endorsement, referral, or recommendation, and inclusion does not mean we have verified a provider’s credentials, licensure, or insurance. Confirm those directly with the provider before booking.