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alorah
Student
Lanesborough, MA
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Question
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What do I need to know before getting into physical therapy?
What happens in each session? and what do I have to do to be a physical therapist
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6 answers
Margaret Landry
Physical therapy assistant
6
Answers
Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Updated
Margaret’s Answer
Physical therapists help people by creating a plan of care to obtain the patients goals. It includes the whole body, so you need to be good with touching people. I say this because I have met people who realize rather late that they don't like to touch feet .
It may be a good idea to shadow a therapist for a day to see if it is something that interests you.
It may be a good idea to shadow a therapist for a day to see if it is something that interests you.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Alorah,
Before Getting into Physical Therapy:
Before pursuing a career in physical therapy, there are several key aspects you should be aware of:
Education Requirements: To become a physical therapist, you will need to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited program. This typically takes around 3 years to complete after obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
Licensing: After completing your DPT program, you will need to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) to obtain a license to practice as a physical therapist in your state.
Clinical Experience: Many DPT programs require students to complete clinical rotations in various healthcare settings to gain hands-on experience working with patients under the supervision of licensed physical therapists.
Continuing Education: Once you become a licensed physical therapist, you will need to participate in continuing education courses to maintain your license and stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in the field.
Skills and Qualities: Successful physical therapists possess strong interpersonal skills, empathy, problem-solving abilities, and a genuine desire to help others improve their quality of life through rehabilitation.
What Happens in Each Physical Therapy Session:
During a typical physical therapy session, the following may occur:
Assessment: The physical therapist will assess your condition by reviewing your medical history, conducting tests and measurements, and discussing your symptoms and goals.
Treatment Plan: Based on the assessment, the physical therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include exercises, manual therapy techniques, modalities (such as heat or ice), and education on self-care strategies.
Implementation: The therapist will guide you through the exercises and treatments, providing feedback on your technique and progress while monitoring your response to the interventions.
Progress Evaluation: Throughout the sessions, your progress will be regularly evaluated to adjust the treatment plan as needed and ensure you are moving towards your rehabilitation goals.
Education and Home Exercises: Physical therapists often provide education on injury prevention, ergonomics, and lifestyle modifications. They may also prescribe home exercises for you to continue your rehabilitation outside of the clinic.
Becoming a Physical Therapist:
To become a physical therapist, you must follow these general steps:
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Complete a bachelor’s degree with prerequisite coursework in areas such as biology, anatomy, physiology, psychology, and physics.
Attend a DPT Program: Apply to and complete an accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program, which includes both classroom instruction and clinical rotations.
Obtain Licensure: Pass the NPTE exam and fulfill any additional state-specific requirements for licensure as a physical therapist.
Optional Specialization: Consider pursuing specialization through post-graduate certifications or residencies in areas such as orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, or sports therapy.
Continuing Education: Stay current in the field by participating in continuing education courses and workshops to enhance your skills and knowledge as a physical therapist.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): The APTA is a professional organization that provides resources on education requirements, licensing information, career development, and industry updates for physical therapists.
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE): CAPTE is responsible for accrediting DPT programs in the United States, ensuring they meet established standards for quality education in physical therapy.
National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT): NBCOT administers the NPTE exam required for licensure as a physical therapist, setting the standard for competency in the profession.
GOD BLESS!
James.
Before Getting into Physical Therapy:
Before pursuing a career in physical therapy, there are several key aspects you should be aware of:
Education Requirements: To become a physical therapist, you will need to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited program. This typically takes around 3 years to complete after obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
Licensing: After completing your DPT program, you will need to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) to obtain a license to practice as a physical therapist in your state.
Clinical Experience: Many DPT programs require students to complete clinical rotations in various healthcare settings to gain hands-on experience working with patients under the supervision of licensed physical therapists.
Continuing Education: Once you become a licensed physical therapist, you will need to participate in continuing education courses to maintain your license and stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in the field.
Skills and Qualities: Successful physical therapists possess strong interpersonal skills, empathy, problem-solving abilities, and a genuine desire to help others improve their quality of life through rehabilitation.
What Happens in Each Physical Therapy Session:
During a typical physical therapy session, the following may occur:
Assessment: The physical therapist will assess your condition by reviewing your medical history, conducting tests and measurements, and discussing your symptoms and goals.
Treatment Plan: Based on the assessment, the physical therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include exercises, manual therapy techniques, modalities (such as heat or ice), and education on self-care strategies.
Implementation: The therapist will guide you through the exercises and treatments, providing feedback on your technique and progress while monitoring your response to the interventions.
Progress Evaluation: Throughout the sessions, your progress will be regularly evaluated to adjust the treatment plan as needed and ensure you are moving towards your rehabilitation goals.
Education and Home Exercises: Physical therapists often provide education on injury prevention, ergonomics, and lifestyle modifications. They may also prescribe home exercises for you to continue your rehabilitation outside of the clinic.
Becoming a Physical Therapist:
To become a physical therapist, you must follow these general steps:
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: Complete a bachelor’s degree with prerequisite coursework in areas such as biology, anatomy, physiology, psychology, and physics.
Attend a DPT Program: Apply to and complete an accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy program, which includes both classroom instruction and clinical rotations.
Obtain Licensure: Pass the NPTE exam and fulfill any additional state-specific requirements for licensure as a physical therapist.
Optional Specialization: Consider pursuing specialization through post-graduate certifications or residencies in areas such as orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, or sports therapy.
Continuing Education: Stay current in the field by participating in continuing education courses and workshops to enhance your skills and knowledge as a physical therapist.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): The APTA is a professional organization that provides resources on education requirements, licensing information, career development, and industry updates for physical therapists.
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE): CAPTE is responsible for accrediting DPT programs in the United States, ensuring they meet established standards for quality education in physical therapy.
National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT): NBCOT administers the NPTE exam required for licensure as a physical therapist, setting the standard for competency in the profession.
GOD BLESS!
James.
Steve Rankin
Contract Management Consultant
4
Answers
El Dorado Hills, California
Updated
Steve’s Answer
My best suggestion (as I'm actually going through physical therapy for an injury right now) would be to go visit a rehabilitation facility which does physical therapy and actually ask to chat with a physical therapist (if they're not in the middle of treating a patient, of course). You may be surprised about how enthusiastic they are about their profession!
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
alorah
Donna Calvert, PT, PhD
physical therapist
57
Answers
Mission, Kansas
Updated
Donna’s Answer
PT's can work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities,home health, school systems, etc. In each setting, it was extremely rewarding to work with patients to achieve their highest level of independence, improve their function or decrease their pain. A typical day had regularly scheduled patients for the PT to see, either for an initial evaluation or ongoing treatment. As patients improve, you change their treatment goals and set up a new program for them to work on, so the work is ever-changing and can be very challenging when a patient isn't improving or cooperating. Most patient interactions are very enjoyable. There is always the paperwork/computer charting aspect of the job and that can be exasperating some days, but it is necessary to do that well so someone else can step in to work with your patient if you can't. Also, there are opportunities to work both full and part time in PT, as your own life events change.
To become a PT, you will need to complete an undergrad degree, usually taking 4 years. Then you can apply to PT schools that will then be an additional 2.5-3 years finishing with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. A DPT is the "entry-level" degree needed to practice physical therapy. It is very competitive to get into PT school, so work hard for top grades!
Visit the American Physical Therapy Association website for educational information. (apta.org)
To become a PT, you will need to complete an undergrad degree, usually taking 4 years. Then you can apply to PT schools that will then be an additional 2.5-3 years finishing with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. A DPT is the "entry-level" degree needed to practice physical therapy. It is very competitive to get into PT school, so work hard for top grades!
Donna recommends the following next steps:
Michael Bell
Occupational Therapist
3
Answers
Cape Coral, Florida
Updated
Michael’s Answer
PT (as well as OT and speech therapy) are excellent healthcare careers. PT has the longest education of any of them as they require a doctorate degree (so bachelors degree for 4 years + 3 additional years for PT school). Each session is focused on whatever injury or illness the patient is experiencing and whatever their goals are. For example, for someone who has a broken hip, the goal may be to learn to get out of bed independently and be able to get into a wheelchair. For another person with the same injury, the goal may be to be able to walk short distances in their home using a walker. PT also works on specialty areas such as vestibular (helping patients with balance and dizziness) and can also help with returning to work after an injury. If you are unsure if you would like a rehab career, I would strongly recommend reaching out to a clinic, hospital, or other healthcare setting to see if you can shadow. I am the manager of a rehab department and often help students connect with therapists to shadow.
Hope that was helpful!
Hope that was helpful!
Tanya Urdiales
1
Answer
Morristown, New Jersey
Updated
Tanya’s Answer
1. You can reach out to a Physcal Therapy office to see if you can intern and see what is involved day to day
2. Research what acadmic path and certifactions are required.
3. Research Top school's for PT.
2. Research what acadmic path and certifactions are required.
3. Research Top school's for PT.
This was super helpful, thank you!
alorah