When the occupation of “Physical Therapist” or “PT’ is mentioned, most people would think of a professional that works to rehabilitate athletes. This is partially correct because not only do physical therapists work at athletic facilities, but at hospitals, nursing homes, and physician offices as well (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Physical therapists work hard and stay on their feet constantly to help someone to the best of their ability (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Being a physical therapist is a spectacular job option for those who will focus on their education, licensing, and training to flourish in a job territory that is vastly increasing.
Physical therapy is a career that will always be needed throughout society; it helps the human body rebuild physical function in people that have been injured, have birth defects, or any other reasons. Physical therapy is one the medical specialties doctors reply on. There are certain education requirements to become one, just like many other careers. It is a career that an individual who enjoys helping people and working in the medical field would be perfect for. The job of physical therapy and physical therapy assistants is an important factor to a lot of people. It is a job that will always be needed; there will always be people that need help regaining their physical health to be able to walk again or maybe just be able to move their thumb
The occupation of physical therapy has been around for centuries. Throughout time it has evolved greatly as a medical practice and an area of study. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2012, there were 204,200 physical therapists employed throughout the United States of America.
“Employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 34 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.” 1 There is three main reasons of what is contributing the growth of the physical therapy profession. The first reasoning of why there will continue to be an demand for physical therapist is the baby boomers is a generation that continues to stay active longer into there life. This can contribute to individuals having pains or increasing the risk of injury at a later age in life. Secondly, there is also an increase of chronic diseases that require the attention of the physical therapist. These conditions include disease such as “diabetes and obesity, have become more prevalent in recent years. More physical therapists will be needed to help these patients maintain their mobility and manage the effects of chronic conditions.”1 Thirdly, Technology has a impact that more surgeries are performed outpatient and requires the physical therapist attention after surgery for proper care and gain of normal activities after surgery. The profession of physical therapy is predicted to continue to grow throughout the
Some may say that the job of a physical therapist is easy, I say they are wrong. While the job may look appealing, as portrayed in several movies today, I believe being a physical therapist requires much more than me just exercising people’s muscles to restore the function. As a physical therapist I am friend and a doctor, I am there to encourage and be firm, I am there to laugh with my patients in the pleasant times and talk in the distressing times. Physical therapists are heroes in a way, without them children might not have the hope of walking again after a car accident, the elderly might not be able to find relief from their severe arthritis, and soldiers might not have the hope of recovering from their injuries after being wounded in war. Every day in my career as a pediatric physical therapist I try to impact my patients in a life changing way. Through all of my daily tasks, from meeting with my patients and creating plans for their treatment, to observing and assisting
Physical therapist help treat patients who have an injury or illness that prevents them from moving around to their full potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that “Physical therapists provide care to 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.” (Physical
First, a physical therapist is a professional who give support to patient who suffer from physical problem either internal or external. Physical Therapy has a lot of benefits for those who are in the process of recovery from injure or disease. This helps when people are recovering from injure, whether muscular or athletic stress. Students who work in this profession, help patients to restore from injure accidents; help them to move and relief their pain. Moreover, they help disables individual who suffer from immobility either permanent or momentary. Also, an individual who have an accident and gets a fracture in the neck, back, hand, foot, or suffer from arthritis have to see the physical therapist in order to get a professional therapy with include some important equipment and are very similar that the one in fitness center. This program require student to finish the AA (Associates in Arts) program in order to continue with the education. Also, student can complete a curriculum of a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Master of Physical Therapy, or a Degree Master of Science in Physical Therapy.
In the field of Physical Therapy, there are always new and more efficient ways being created to rehabilitate an injury. Physical Therapists are always trying to make their patients recovery go by as fast as possible with also bringing them back to top shape. Their main goal is to restore these patient’s injuries to where they can perform well again. Physical Therapists use a variety of diverse ways to help someone recover from their injury.
The Difference between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy
When it comes to healthcare careers, two careers people often seem confuse with one another are Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. Many people with little to no medical background assume that an Occupational therapist is Physical therapist. The culprit could be word "therapist" that they share in common. There's a similarity between the two, but each are different on their own. They may work side by side and address many of the same issues; however, they are completely different careers.
After looking into different career clusters, one job that stood out to me was being a Physical Therapist. At first I didn't think much of it and thought it was just going to be another one of those jobs you think you like, but once you start looking into it you find out that it wouldn't be fun at all! After looking at various websites and thinking about it for awhile, I decided that I still like the thought of becoming a Physical Therapist one day, and if I ever changed my mind I would have a couple other occupations that are similar to a PT. Some other occupations that are similar to a PT are Massage Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or a Respiratory Therapist. A Massage Therapist treats their patients with a deep muscle or joint massage to ease pressure or pain. A Occupational Therapist helps disabled, injured, or elderly people by helping them get back to work. One example is teaching them how to use crutches or side railings on stairs. A Respiratory Therapist helps people that have a harder time breathing due to heart or lung problems. The way they help their patients are by teaching them ways to make it easier to breath.