![]() ![]() Physical therapist students also complete clinical work, during which they gain supervised experience in areas such as acute care and orthopedic care. Physical therapist programs often include courses in biomechanics, neuroscience, and pharmacology. Most DPT programs require candidates to apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Physical therapy programs typically require a bachelor's degree, which may be in recreation and fitness or healthcare and related fields, and prerequisite courses such as anatomy, chemistry, and physics. Physical therapists need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).ĭPT programs typically last 3 years. All states require physical therapists to be licensed. Physical therapists entering the occupation need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Physical therapists use a variety of techniques, such as massage and stretching, to treat patients. Physical therapists work as part of a healthcare team, overseeing the work of physical therapist assistants and aides and consulting with physicians and surgeons and other specialists. Many physical therapists also help patients maintain or improve mobility by developing fitness and wellness programs that encourage healthy, active lifestyles. Some physical therapists specialize in one type of care, such as orthopedics or geriatrics. For example, a patient working to recover mobility lost after a stroke needs care different from that of a patient recovering from a sports injury. The work of physical therapists varies by type of patient. These techniques include exercises training in functional movement, which may include the use of equipment such as canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers and special movements of joints, muscles, and other soft tissue to improve mobility and decrease pain. Physical therapists use a variety of techniques to care for their patients. Physical therapists, sometimes called PTs, care for people of all ages who have functional problems resulting from back and neck injuries sprains, strains, and fractures arthritis amputations neurological disorders, such as stroke or cerebral palsy injuries related to work and sports and other conditions. Educate patients and their families about what to expect from the recovery process and how to cope with challenges throughout the process.Evaluate and record a patients’ progress, modifying the plan of care and trying new treatments as needed.Use exercises, stretching maneuvers, hands-on therapy, and equipment to ease patients’ pain, help them increase their mobility, prevent further pain or injury, and facilitate health and wellness.Develop individualized plans of care for patients, outlining the patients’ goals and the expected outcomes of the plans.Diagnose patients’ functions and movements by observing them stand or walk and by listening to their concerns.Review patients’ medical history and referrals or notes from doctors, surgeons, or other healthcare workers.Physical therapists typically do the following: They are often an important part of preventive care, rehabilitation, and treatment for patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries. Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. Physical therapists evaluate and record a patient’s progress. Learn more about physical therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET ![]() Similar OccupationsĬompare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of physical therapists with similar occupations. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.Įxplore resources for employment and wages by state and area for physical therapists. ![]() Job OutlookĮmployment of physical therapists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.Ībout 13,900 openings for physical therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The median annual wage for physical therapists was $97,720 in May 2022. ![]() They spend much of their time on their feet, actively working with patients. Physical therapists typically work in private offices and clinics, hospitals, patients’ homes, and nursing homes. Please enable javascript to play this video. ![]()
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