Physical Therapy As A Profession
What is physical therapy?
Physical therapy combines passive modalities with therapeutic exercise to rehabilitate the spine and other parts of the body. A passive modality includes treatments such as, heat/cold therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, massage, and joint mobilization. These modalities are used to supplement the therapeutic exercise. Active therapy, or therapeutic exercise includes stretching, strengthening, and postural modification to rehabilitate the spine and prevent re-injury.
What is the history of physical therapy?
Physical Therapy (PT), previously known as physiotherapy, was introduced to the United States following WWI (1914) to rehabilitate soldiers returning from war. The profession has grown tremendously since then, to include many subspecialties.
What is the purpose of physical therapy?
The purpose of physical therapy is to help the patient return to active life as soon as possible. In addition, PT strives to reduce pain, increase flexibility, range of motion, and function, build strength, and correct posture. It is often prescribed for patients following spine surgery, to treat soft tissue trauma, nerve inflammation/injury, muscle spasms, fractures, arthritis, and many other problems.
Who are Physical Therapists?
Physical Therapists are licensed health care professionals. Before they practice in the field, they must obtain either a Master's or Doctoral Degree in physical therapy and pass an examination to be licensed. Their educational and clinical training includes (but is not limited to) anatomy, kinesiology, study of disease and injury, healing and recovery, and numerous therapeutic treatment techniques.
Do I need to be strong to be a good therapist?
Being a successful physical therapist has almost nothing to do with physical strength and almost everything to do with technique. Of course, as with most professions, a degree of physical fitness is required.
Is physical therapy like massage therapy and/or chiropractic care?
A PT can administer massage therapy, but massage therapists cannot administer PT. In some cases the use of various forms of massage is an essential part of the physical therapist's treatment plan. Chiropractic care differs in many ways from physical therapy. A Chiropractor relies heavily on performing joint manipulations. Chiropractors typically will see a patient for much longer than a physical therapist for continued joint manipulations, where a physical therapist will rehabilitate the injury or painful area and then instruct the patient in a home exercise program for continued care.
Who are the patients of a physical therapist?
Patients include people of all age groups who are permanently or temporarily disabled by illness, disease, loss of limb, trauma, or congenital abnormalities.
Where is physical therapy practiced?
Physical therapists practice in a variety of different settings including: hospitals, out-patient clinics, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, schools, colleges and universities, industry, home health agencies, private clinics, federal, state and local government agencies, or anywhere in need of quality health care.
What are specialty areas of physical therapy?
Many areas of concentration include: acute care, administration, aquatics, cardiopulmonary, clinical electro physiology, community home health, education, geriatrics, hand rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, private practice, research, sports physical therapy, women's health, and the Veterans Administration.
What is the APTA?
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is, "the principal membership organization representing and promoting the profession of physical therapy. Its aim is to further the profession's role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of movement dysfunctions and the enhancement of the physical health and functional abilities of members of the public."
What is the difference between a professional (entry-level) DPT program and a professional (entry-level) MPT program?
Based on a recent informal survey, accredited and transitioning DPT programs have increased the depth of content in a typical two-year professional (entry-level) MPT program. The final clinical education experience is typically extended beyond the average of 15 weeks, as some are one year in length.
What are the employment opportunities for DPT graduates?
The employment opportunities for PT graduates are improving. The overall unemployment rate has decreased, and according to the latest survey released by the APTA, only 1.1% of all therapists are actively seeking employment.
What factors can be used to decide on what graduate program to attend?
The decision to attend a physical therapy program is extremely specific to each individual, and must be made on the basis of a variety of factors, such as:
- Geographic location and size of the school
- Cost
- Class size
- Licensure pass rates
- Employability
- Faculty composition and cohesiveness (years working together)
- Degree awarded; design and length of curriculum
In an effort to choosing the right school students are encouraged to:
- Survey current students and recent graduates of the program
- Interview employers who hire graduates and ask about program strengths and weaknesses
What can students do to enhance their chances of admission to a PT program?
Applicants should have a high overall grade point average (GPA) and a high GPA in prerequisite course work. Admission officers also look favorably on an applicant's volunteer experience as a physical therapy volunteer, letters of recommendation from physical therapists or science teachers (amongst other individuals), and strong writing and interpersonal skills. Preparation for taking the graduate record examinations is also helpful. The pre-physical therapy educational track is a full-time commitment.
Is the physical therapist assistant program a "stepping-stone" to a physical therapist program?
No. The physical therapist assistant curriculum differs from that of the physical therapist, and does not provide the needed prerequisites required for physical therapist education. However, some accredited programs are designed to allow physical therapist assistants to continue working while attending a physical therapist programs on the weekends.
Who is eligible to apply to the Physical Therapy Program?
Entrance into the Physical Therapy program is competitive. Completing the following general requirements are necessary to be considered but do not guarantee admission into a program. To be eligible for admission into physical therapy program the following requirements must be met: Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of approximately 3.0, completion of academic coursework, completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), documentation of work or volunteer hours in a physical therapy setting (or settings), and submission recommendation forms. Students are highly encouraged to contact prospective graduate schools for specific requirements.
Where can I find financial aid?
To obtain information on financial aid, you may purchase APTA's Resource Guide on Financial Assistance (includes information on minority scholarships) from APTA's Service Center (800/999-2782, ext 3395) or order from APTA's Online Catalog. Additional resources are available from the office of financial aid at the school of interest, the public library, and the National Clearinghouse at the Professions Information Center at the Council for Exceptional Children, 1920 Association Drive, Reston, VA 22091, 703/264-9476, or 800/641-7824. Other sources include various Web sites: The Financial Aid Information Page, Fastweb, US Department of Education, Direct Loans, Project EASI, IRS Education Tax Credit Information, and College Parents of America (CPA)
Where Can One Attend a Physical Therapy School?
There are over 170 physical therapist programs in the United States. Students will need to request a separate application from each school of physical therapy. A good place to start would be the web site for the school. Some programs have application materials online, others prefer that you send an email or make a call to request an application.
