Physical Therapy

The Profession
Physical therapists are health care professionals who evaluate/treat people with health problems that impair bodily movement.  They work in a variety of settings:  hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, acute care facilities, private practice, school systems, industry, sports medicine, and home health.  The profession is dedicated to promoting/maintaining maximum physical function in healthy individuals and to restoring the highest possible level of physical function in individuals impaired by disease or injury. 

Physical therapy is a healing art that recognizes the nature of the human spirit that mobilizes the body and the importance of handling people with tolerance, compassion, dignity, and wisdom.  Physical therapists are trained to be generalists with skill in evaluation/treatment of patients, resources management, supervision, education, consultation, screening, and referral – serving patients with a variety of clinical conditions.

Self-Assessment
Physical therapists integrate solid basic science and clinical knowledge with strong interpersonal skills to direct care for persons of varied backgrounds and health conditions.  It is an active profession, assisting patients with movement.  Effective problem solving and motivational skills are essential.  For information on specific requirements, see the Physical Therapy website. 

Exploring Options
Factors such as aging population and improved management of chronic conditions have created a greater need for physical therapists.  Both national and local projections indicate a continued growth in physical therapy jobs through at least the year 2014.  Click here for salary information.