A career in physical therapy will prove to be very rewarding. A physical therapist is a health professional with completed a four-year degree program specializing in the evaluation and treatment of various physical limitations of the human body.
A Career in Physical Therapy
The physical therapist will evaluate the components of movement and develop a treatment protocol to improve the following;
- Strength of an individual body part.
- Improvement in the range of motion.
- Improvement in linear or body flexibility.
- Improvement in balance.
- Improvement in posture.
- Improvement in physical endurance.
- Improvement in overall body coordination.
And, improvement in general mobility including walking getting in and out of the car, up-and-down from a chair or stair climbing.
Physical therapist will work in a variety of settings including sports clinics, orthopedic doctors offices, clinics that specialize in workplace injuries, hospitals treating patients that have surgery, strokes or other neurological events that limit function, inpatient rehabilitation facilities that provide intensive therapy individuals who need improve bodily function, and a visit to a patient’s home to assist them in other conditions including those listed above.
Benefits to A Career in Physical Therapy
There are many benefits in earning a degree to become a physical therapist.
You Will Become a Movement Expert. A Career in Physical Therapy
By understanding muscles, joints and the overall motion of the human body, a physical therapist can accurately define a treatment protocol to improve the life of their patient. This improvement will be found by reducing overall pain, improving joint and limb movement, restoring function and preventing disability.
Physical Therapists are an Essential Element of the Overall Patient Care. A Career in Physical Therapy
Many will be employed by hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other organizations that provide health care. The techniques used by physical therapists to improve body movement included electrotherapy, hot packs, high-frequency wave machines, ice packs, and general assistance in body motion to improve mobility.
Job Security. A Career in Physical Therapy
There are more people physically disabled today than there have been in any time in the history of the United States. With this large influx of personal disabilities, the need for physical therapists is at an all-time high. Also, due to the aging American population, particularly with baby boomers who are more vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require physical therapy, the market continues to increase for this career choice.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the demand for this physical therapist is expected to increase 30% between 2008 and 2018. This is a much faster growth than most any other occupation.
Salary. A Career in Physical Therapy
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average wage for a physical therapist in 2012 was $79,860. The highest 10% wage earners made $112,020 with the bottom 10% making $55,620. The highest wages are for home healthcare and consulting positions.
Help People. A Career in Physical Therapy
There is nothing more gratifying than watching patients gain mobility to improve their overall life. Physical therapists report one of the highest job satisfaction levels of any other position in the country. If you have a desire to help people, and improve their overall life, this may be a career for you.
Location flexibility. A Career in Physical Therapy
Because of the high demand for visible therapist, jobs are available throughout the country. Therefore, physical therapist can virtually select the area they want to live in and then find a job. Physical therapists also have a wide range of work settings to choose from including hospitals, private medical practices, home health agencies, outpatient clinics, sports and fitness clinics, and companies who employ physical therapists.
Entrepreneurship. A Career in Physical Therapy
Becoming a physical therapist is a great way to begin if you would like to start your own business. More than 20% of physical therapists are owners of their own physical therapy practice. Unlike most other careers, physical therapy is an excellent way to start your own business and be self-employed.
Below is a list of specific articles discussing the types of colleges and universities that provide college health degrees.
College and University programs preparing you for a career Nursing.
College and University programs providing a Masters in Nursing.
College and University programs preparing you for a career Healthcare Administration or Healthcare Management.
College and University programs preparing you for a career Healthcare Information Technology.
College and University programs preparing you for a career Dental Assistant.
College and University programs preparing you for a career Physical Therapy.