Nationwide direct access to physical therapy, with fewer restrictions and visit caps, could significantly improve public health by providing faster, cost-effective care, especially for musculoskeletal conditions. Physical therapists are highly trained in evaluating and managing movement dysfunctions and can help reduce pain, improve function, and prevent injury without the need for surgery. Direct access allows patients to seek treatment immediately, reducing reliance on more invasive interventions and minimizing the need for prescription pain medications, which can carry risks of dependency.
In military settings, where direct access to physical therapy is already implemented, the outcomes are promising: service members experience reduced wait times, improved mobility, and quicker recovery. Extending this model to civilian healthcare could lead to similar benefits. However, competing incentives exist—orthopedic surgeons and hospitals often have a financial interest in surgical procedures. Broadening direct access would challenge these incentives by offering non-surgical alternatives, potentially reducing surgery demand and lowering healthcare costs while fostering a preventive approach to musculoskeletal health.
