Physical Therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people to lead more active and independent lives by improving movement and function and by relieving pain.
Physical Therapists test muscle strength, the amount of flexibility in joints, and the ability to walk or move. Treatments include exercises to increase strength, range of motion, endurance and coordination; the use of heat, cold, electricity or even aquatics to relieve pain; and teaching exercises and body mechanics to avoid injury or to regain function.
Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants work not only in hospitals but also in sports medicine, home health, nursing homes, school systems and private offices. There are many jobs currently available in the field of Physical Therapy, and an increasing demand for therapists is predicted.
Since this position requires physical interaction with patients, Physical Therapists are highly connected with patients and build stronger patient relationships than most other Health Science specialists. Often, physical therapy patients are dealing with pain, so you need to have the ability to be sensitive to your patients' feelings while also making sure they work hard to become healthy.
You will work with patients who have disfigurements or wounds, so you must be strong mentally as well as physically to give each patient the support they need. Program design, weight management, nutrition, stress tests, lab work and physical fitness training are all part of a physical therapist’s responsibilities.
Occupational Therapy at a glance
Occupational Therapy is a healthcare service that uses activities as treatment to help people re-learn the simple skills they need to live independent, productive and satisfying lives. This type of therapy of often given to stroke patients who have lost normal muscle and nerve functions or people who have lost an arm or leg.
Types of therapy:
- Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Occupational Therapist
- Rehabilitation (6 subcategories)
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Types of work environments:
- Hospital
- Nursing Home
- Out Patient
- Private Practice
- Industry
- Sports Medicine
Education requirements:
- Physical Therapy Assistant: 2-year Associate Degree
- Physical Therapist: D.P.T.
Salary Range – Physical Therapy Assistant
$37,170 and $54,900
US Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2010-2011 Edition
(Middle 50%)
(http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco1002.htm#diag)
$40,652 and $50,167
Salary.Com
(Middle 50%)
(http://www.salary.com/salary/index.asp)
Salary Range – Physicial Therapist
$60,300 and $85,540
US Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2010-2011 Edition
(Middle 50%)
(http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco1002.htm#diag)
$67,958 and $78,632
Salary.Com
(Middle 50%)
(http://www.salary.com/salary/index.asp)
Meet a Professional: Carol
Want to get physical?
PTs also can help people recovering from a stroke or spine injury, people needing to regain their strength following surgery or patients with heart problems.
Do you have what it takes?
Being energetic, creative and organized are three very important characteristics to have when it comes to being a physical therapist. You not only need to be a “people person” with good communication skills, you also need to consider many complex factors when treating people. Each patient is completely different, from a professional dancer to a soccer player to someone who just wants to get up or down the stairs.
In this field, you can score big
All around, sports health physical therapy is a very rewarding job, and working for Cleveland Clinic makes it even more rewarding (especially because the Clinic’s name is big with area athletes).
When working with athletes and other motion-oriented professionals, you are able to build a close relationship with them. It’s almost like you become a coach of sorts. I get to meet a lot of interesting personalities this way and sometimes I’m even invited to their events! My ultimate goal is to become a strength and conditioning trainer for a professional sports team. How cool would that be?
Tricks of the trade
Physical Therapists need to have a six-year doctorate degree, but you can also become an Assistant PT with a two-year degree. As far as school goes, the college programs are very competitive and hard to get into, so it’s a good idea to have a strong background in anatomy, biology and physics. Geometry also helps because you are better able to understand body angles.
- Volunteer work helps you get accepted into PT education programs
- Volunteer observation is required
- Working in a team-environment allows you to bounce ideas off Assistant PTs to figure out the best possible treatment.
Here's how you would plan for this career
- Decide to pursue a career in physical therapy while in high school
- Take courses in anatomy, biology, physics and geometry
- Enroll in a shadowing program through Cleveland Clinic
- Begin your six-year doctorate degree OR
- Begin your two-year assistant PT degree
- Enroll in volunteer work at area hospitals
- Enroll in volunteer observation
- Graduate from course
