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On October 13, 1969, the profession of physical therapists was regulated in Brazil, according to Decree Law 938. The provision, which recognizes the professional as a higher level, defines as their specific activity the conservation of a patient's physical capacity, treating diseases and injuries caused by accidents, genetic malformations or posture addiction, through prevention and rehabilitation, achieving, in many cases, a cure.

Although these professionals are always treating patients who are already injured, prevention is the first of their attributions. For this, he is responsible for the process of making the patient aware of the fact of adopting adequate procedures, such as posture education, ergonomics and gymnastics at work.

In a second moment, working in partnership with orthopedic doctors and occupational therapists, the physiotherapist develops the reintegration or rehabilitation of motor functions. Generally, the physiotherapist stimulates the neurological potential of the patient who has suffered injuries in the neurological area or has lost one of his limbs. In the case of cardiac and respiratory injuries, it also works with the patient to recover these functions.

Regardless of the type of intervention, physical therapists can act in various fields of medicine such as orthopedics, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, rheumatology, sports medicine, neurology, cardiology and pulmonology.

The professional can choose one of the several areas that exist in the job market, including clinical physiotherapy, working in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers and outpatient clinics; collective health, where it develops health programs; education, teaching or developing research and in sports health, recovering athletes. In addition to specializing in certain therapeutic activities such as acupuncture, chiropractic care and osteopathy.