Americans overlook proactive movement to manage long-term health

The survey, released to coincide with National Physical Therapy Month, highlights a significant disconnect between personal health goals and daily habits. While 83% of respondents reported experiencing pain in the last year, only 27% expressed a willingness to consult a physical therapist for relief. Instead, many rely on self-management or hope that symptoms resolve without intervention. This trend extends to sleep disturbances and pelvic health, where individuals are often more likely to ignore discomfort than seek professional movement-based guidance.

APTA President Kyle Covington noted that viewing symptoms like muscle weakness or poor posture in silos creates barriers to long-term well-being. Even when acknowledging the negative impacts of digital habits and sedentary lifestyles on future mobility, public utilization of physical therapy remains low, hovering between 14% and 20% across generations. The association's new "PT For Future Me" campaign aims to reframe physical therapy as a proactive strategy for maintaining function, rather than a final resort for injury recovery. With direct access available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., the organization is pushing for earlier intervention to preserve mobility throughout the lifespan.