Physical therapists help patients with debilitating conditions such as back pain, arthritis, fractures, sports injuries, head injuries, strokes and cerebral palsy. Provide therapeutic services to improve patient mobility, relieve pain and help them cope with permanent physical disabilities. They can use equipment and techniques such as therapeutic massage to improve muscle strength, whirlpools, ultrasound machines and ultraviolet rays and infrared lamps. They teach patients exercises to improve their physical health.
Physical therapy has many specialties such as cardiopulmonary geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics and pediatrics. Physical therapists in many areas which may include outpatient clinics or offices, facilities inpatient rehabilitation, extended care facilities, private homes, education and research centers, schools, hospices, industrial establishments or other work environments, fitness centers, sports facilities and training. They are usually part of a team of health care that creates programs for patients based on their individual needs and condition. They can also teach patients and their families how to use devices such as wheelchairs, braces, canes, crutches and prostheses. Typical functions may include measuring a patient's motor function, balance and coordination, muscle strength and performance, range of motion, creation and implementation of treatment plans, assessing the patient's ability to function independently, and write progress reports to physicians.
According to the World Confederation of Physical Therapy, physical therapists are qualified and professionally obliged to:
• Conduct a comprehensive review, evaluation, assessment of patient / client or the needs of a client group
• Formulate a diagnosis, forecast and plan
• Provide consultation within its jurisdiction and to determine when patients / clients need to be referred to another health professional
• Implement a physiotherapist intervention / treatment program
• Determine the outcome of interventions or treatments
• Make recommendations for self-management.
Physical therapists should have strong interpersonal skills to effectively educate patients about their therapy treatments physical and working together with the patient's family. Therapists also must be compassionate and have a strong desire to help those in need.
Requirements Education
A physical therapist must have completed a physical therapy program with a masters or doctorate degree. The courses include biology, chemistry and physics. It will also be required to complete specific courses, such as therapeutic procedures, biomechanics, neuroanatomy, growth and human development, and pathology of the disease. To become a licensed therapist, graduates of accredited programs must pass national exams and grant state license. To maintain their licenses, many states require physical therapists to take continuing education programs and participate in workshops and complete the therapy.
Work Environment
Physical therapists usually work in larger areas due to the physical therapy programs. They are involved with a team of health professionals. Most physical therapists work forty hours per week. Physiotherapists can also work as independent contractors.
Salary
Salaries vary with education and experience. In 2004 the average wage for physical therapists was $ 60,180 per year. Benefits physical therapists for employees include paid holidays and vacations, health insurance and retirement plans.
Job prospects
Employment of physical therapists is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2016. Facilities and clinics are now making more use of knowledge that physical therapists can provide.
Due to increased interest in exercise, high-risk sports, and an aging population, physical therapists will remain in high demand. Future medical achievements will also increase the survival rate of victims of trauma, therefore causing increased demand for rehabilitation care. Growth also may result from advances in medical technology that enables a more innovative of severe disabling conditions. Physical therapy can be both rewarding and challenging career.
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