National Physical Therapy Month 2026

When is National Physical Therapy Month?

National Physical Therapy Month is observed every October. In 2026 it runs for the full month, from Thursday 1 October to Saturday 31 October. The date is fixed: the observance always covers the whole of October, so there is no need to track a shifting date from one year to the next. It has been held in October since the early 1990s.

How to Get Involved in National Physical Therapy Month

There are many ways for patients, practitioners, clinics, and the wider public to take part throughout October.

• Learn what physical therapy treats – Visit ChoosePT.com to understand how physical therapy can help with back pain, sports injuries, arthritis, balance problems, and recovery after surgery.
• Share your recovery story – If physical therapy has helped you, post about it on social media to encourage others who may be hesitant to seek treatment.
• Thank a practitioner – Recognise the physical therapists and assistants who have supported your recovery, whether with a note, a review, or a public shout-out.
• Use the Find a PT directory – APTA’s online directory helps people locate a qualified physical therapist nearby, removing one of the common barriers to starting care.
• Promote movement at work – Employers and clinics can use the month to share simple advice on posture, stretching, and staying active during the working day.
• Support pain management without opioids – Spread the message that physical therapy is a recognised, drug-free option for managing many forms of long-term pain.
• Download and share APTA resources – Clinics and members can access free toolkits, infographics, and graphics from APTA to use in their own communities.
• Encourage prevention – Remind friends and family that physical therapy is not only for after an injury; it can also help prevent falls and maintain strength as people age.

Why National Physical Therapy Month Matters

Physical therapy plays a central role in helping people recover from injury, surgery, and chronic conditions without always turning to medication or invasive procedures. APTA research has found that physical therapy delivers a net benefit for patients and the wider healthcare system across a range of conditions, with patients often using fewer healthcare services, avoiding surgery, and reporting an improved quality of life. With musculoskeletal pain among the leading causes of disability and lost working days, access to skilled physical therapy has a direct effect on both individual wellbeing and the cost of care. The campaign also addresses the wider context of the opioid crisis, promoting physical therapy as a safe, effective alternative for managing long-term pain. By raising public awareness, the month encourages people to seek appropriate care earlier and to understand what physical therapy can realistically achieve.

Noteworthy Facts About National Physical Therapy Month

• The first National Physical Therapy Month was held in October 1992 with the theme “Back Into Action With Physical Therapy.”
• The observance evolved from Physical Therapy Week, which APTA began marking in the early 1980s.
• APTA runs the campaign through its consumer brand ChoosePT, found at ChoosePT.com.
• Millions of people visit ChoosePT.com each year, and APTA’s Find a PT directory is used by patients searching for a practitioner near them.
• APTA research has shown physical therapy can save money for patients and insurers while reducing the need for surgery and additional healthcare services.

Links

• Visit the official APTA National Physical Therapy Month page
• Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com

Featured image: Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash.

History of National Physical Therapy Month

The roots of National Physical Therapy Month reach back to the early 1980s, when APTA and its member components began marking Physical Therapy Week. The week was initially held alongside APTA’s annual conference in June before being moved to October to give the profession its own dedicated moment in the calendar.

The observance grew steadily, and in October 1992 the first full National Physical Therapy Month was celebrated, with the theme “Back Into Action With Physical Therapy.” Expanding from a single week to a whole month reflected both the growth of the profession and the appetite among clinics, schools, and patients to mark the occasion. Over the following decades the campaign developed into a coordinated national effort, supported by APTA’s consumer-facing ChoosePT brand.

In recent years APTA has built each October around a central theme. The “PT For Future Me” campaign focuses on how physical therapy supports resilience, strength, and mobility across the whole lifespan, encouraging people to think of physical therapy as an investment in their future health rather than only a response to injury. The campaign continues to evolve while keeping the same core aim: helping the public understand what physical therapy can do.

Related Awareness Days

• Falls Prevention Awareness Day – A US safety observance closely linked to the balance and mobility work that physical therapists do.
• National Wellness Month – A month dedicated to healthy habits and self-care, complementing the active recovery message of physical therapy.
• International Yoga Day – A global celebration of movement and flexibility that shares physical therapy’s focus on keeping the body active.