What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical practice that helps those with injuries, diseases, and other physical limitations move and function better, as well as manage pain, through various treatments. The overall goal of physical therapy is to improve the life of the patient. Reaching that goal may involve the use of exercise, manipulation, manual therapy, electrophysical modalities, devices, and medication. The origins of physical therapy date back to the time of the famous Greek physician Hippocrates , who used hydrotherapy to help people with skin, joint, and muscle problems.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in physical therapy?

Anyone who is interested in a career in physical therapy and related practices should be interested in helping others better themselves. You should be able to maintain a positive attitude, even through trying circumstances, and you should be an excellent communicator. It's also important to be a keen observer and pay close attention to detail. You'll need to be physically strong as well, since the job sometimes requires you to lift and hold patients who can't stand on their own.

Why learn physical therapy?

Learning about physical therapy can lead to an exciting career as a physical therapist. Physical therapists who enter this profession can help patients in private offices, hospitals, hospice facilities, nursing homes, home health care, schools, and rehab clinics. They may also open their own practices. Even if you don't want to pursue a career in the field, learning about physical therapy can help you better understand your own body. You'll discover new ways to stay physically healthy.

What are some typical careers that use physical therapy?

Most people who study physical therapy become physical therapists. However, there are several other options in this area. You may go on to become an athletic trainer for sports teams or a chiropractor with your own practice. You can become a personal trainer, exercise instructor, or exercise physiologist. Some people who study physical therapy go on to explore other therapeutic careers, such as speech, recreational, or occupational therapy. You can use your education as the basis for a career as a physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or audiologist too.

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managing your health: the role of physical therapy and exercise

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular physical therapy courses

Managing Your Health: The Role of Physical Therapy and Exercise: University of Toronto
Preventing Chronic Pain: A Human Systems Approach: University of Minnesota
Psychological First Aid: Johns Hopkins University
Medical Neuroscience: Duke University
Sports Performance Analytics: University of Michigan
Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care: University of Colorado System
Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors: University of Pennsylvania
Diabetes - a Global Challenge: University of Copenhagen
Improving Immunity Based on Traditional Eastern Exercises: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Myocardial Infarction: University of Zurich

Frequently Asked Questions about Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a medical practice that helps those with injuries, diseases, and other physical limitations move and function better, as well as manage pain, through various treatments. The overall goal of physical therapy is to improve the life of the patient. Reaching that goal may involve the use of exercise, manipulation, manual therapy, electrophysical modalities, devices, and medication. The origins of physical therapy date back to the time of the famous Greek physician Hippocrates, who used hydrotherapy to help people with skin, joint, and muscle problems.‎
Anyone who is interested in a career in physical therapy and related practices should be interested in helping others better themselves. You should be able to maintain a positive attitude, even through trying circumstances, and you should be an excellent communicator. It's also important to be a keen observer and pay close attention to detail. You'll need to be physically strong as well, since the job sometimes requires you to lift and hold patients who can't stand on their own.‎
Learning about physical therapy can lead to an exciting career as a physical therapist. Physical therapists who enter this profession can help patients in private offices, hospitals, hospice facilities, nursing homes, home health care, schools, and rehab clinics. They may also open their own practices. Even if you don't want to pursue a career in the field, learning about physical therapy can help you better understand your own body. You'll discover new ways to stay physically healthy.‎
Most people who study physical therapy become physical therapists. However, there are several other options in this area. You may go on to become an athletic trainer for sports teams or a chiropractor with your own practice. You can become a personal trainer, exercise instructor, or exercise physiologist. Some people who study physical therapy go on to explore other therapeutic careers, such as speech, recreational, or occupational therapy. You can use your education as the basis for a career as a physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or audiologist too.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

Filter by

29 results for "physical therapy"

Managing Your Health: The Role of Physical Therapy and Exercise

Preventing Chronic Pain: A Human Systems Approach

Psychological First Aid

Medical Neuroscience

Sports Performance Analytics

Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care

Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors

Diabetes - a Global Challenge

Improving Immunity Based on Traditional Eastern Exercises

Myocardial Infarction

The History of Medicine: Philosophy, Science, and Psychology

Introduction to Self-Determination Theory: An approach to motivation, development and wellness

Searches related to physical therapy

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular physical therapy courses

Frequently Asked Questions about Physical Therapy

What is physical therapy?‎

What kind of people are best suited for roles in physical therapy?‎

Why learn physical therapy?‎

What are some typical careers that use physical therapy?‎

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29 results for "physical therapy"

Searches related to physical therapy

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular physical therapy courses

Frequently Asked Questions about Physical Therapy

What is physical therapy?‎

What kind of people are best suited for roles in physical therapy?‎

Why learn physical therapy?‎

What are some typical careers that use physical therapy?‎

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