Physical Therapy
By: Erika Nesbitt
Senior Capstone Product
What are Physical Therapist?
Physical therapists (PTs) are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain
and improve or restore mobility - in many cases without expensive surgery and often reducing the need for long-term
use of prescription medications and their side effects.
Physical therapists can teach patients how to prevent or manage their condition so that they will achieve long-term
health benefits. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan, using treatment techniques to promote the ability to
move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss
of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active
lifestyles.
Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient
clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes. State licensure
is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices.
Types of Physical Therapist
Orthopedic
Orthopedic physical therapy focuses on restoring function to the musculoskeletal system, including joints, tendons, ligaments
and bones. Many sports injuries fall into this category. Treatment methods include stretching, strength training, endurance
exercises, hot and cold packs, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and joint mobilization.
Geriatric
Geriatric physical therapy focuses on the unique movement needs of older adults. This includes treatment for conditions such
as arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, joint replacement and balance disorders. The goal of geriatric physical
therapy is to help restore mobility, reduce pain, accommodate physical limitations and increase physical fitness.
Neurological
Neurological physical therapy focuses on neurological conditions and impairments, such as Alzheimer's disease, brain injury,
cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury and stroke. Treatment plans attempt to achieve the
highest level of autonomous function for living as independently as possible for as long as possible. Physical therapists
concentrate on teaching clients to adapt to visual, balance, mobility and muscle loss impairments for activities of daily living.
Continued
Cardiopulmonary
Cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy focuses on helping individuals who suffer from cardiovascular and
pulmonary conditions, such as heart attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis. The
goal of this sub-specialty is to increase endurance and improve functional independence.
Pediatric
Pediatric physical therapy focuses on the unique needs of infants, toddlers, children and adolescents. Early detection is
desirable when a child experiences problems that inhibit natural movement and learning. Physical therapy is used for
children suffering from diseases or injuries, including:
History
The first physical therapy research was published in the item United States in
March 1921 in The PT Review. In the same year, Mary Mcmillion organized
the physical therapy association, now called the American physical therapy
association or APTA.
Physical therapy can track its roots all the way back to ancient Greece. Storied
medical figures such as Hippocrates used massage, heat and hydrotherapy as
common techniques. As time progressed similar methods took shape in Europe
as methods of treating bone disorders and in the 1800s.
Continues
The history of physical therapy is very much intertwined with a few major events of the
early 1900s. Around 1916 polio became a widespread disease in the United States. In the
struggle against this disease muscle testing and reduction become a necessity and helpful
to develop the field of physical therapy. The field of Physical therapy gained another boast
during World War II. With the increase number of injured soldiers the need for a greater
form of medical care arose. In 1946, Congress Hill Burton Act increased the number of
hospitals around the country and in turn increased the number of practicing physical
therapist. After the war, physical therapy grew as a field, gaining autonomy, which also
brought standards, regulations and licensure to the field. Since the 1900s the field of
physical therapy has develop at the same speed as the rest of the world. Technology has
allowed for greater improvement with new treatments emerging.
In order to become a physical therapist,
you must first graduate from a physical
Requirements therapist educational program with a
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
degree. Expect to take courses in
biology, chemistry and physics. Your
coursework will also include
specialized courses such as
biomechanics, neuroanatomy, human
growth and development,
manifestations of disease, examination
techniques and therapeutic procedures.
Other
Requirements
All states in the US require physical therapists to be licensed. To become licensed you will
have to take the National Physical Therapy Exam which the Federation of State Boards of
Physical Therapy (FSBPT) administers. Licensed PTs must take continuing education
classes and attend workshops to maintain licensure.
Specific requirements vary by state, so it is a good idea to contact individual State Licensing
Authorities.
Demand
The demand for physical therapy is
expected to increase according to the 2015-16
Occupational Outlook Handbook. Employment of
physical therapists is projected to grow 34%
between 2014-2024, much faster than the
average growth rate for all other occupations.
Demands for PTs likely to increase even
with more graduates available. APTA
projections continue to show physical therapy as
a growing profession with unmet demand ranging
from 606 to 26,696 PT full-time equivalents over
the next 5 years, depending on how many PTs
leave the workforce.
Personal Response
Throughout this entire project I have found that being a Physical Therapist is not
as easy as it seems. One must have patience, dedication, and strong will. Physical
Therapist are on their feet a majority of the time therefore one must be physically
capable withstand several hours of being on their feet. I have enjoyed working on
this project although it has been difficult at times I never gave up and I can see
you to push through this project has showed me how much I really want to be a
physical therapist and maybe someday in the future I will have my own practice
and be Dr. Snippet I have enjoyed working on this project although it has been
difficult at times I never gave up and I can see you to push through this project
has shot me how much I really want to be a physical therapist and maybe
someday in the future I will have my own practice and [Link]
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Work Cited
