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There are many types of physical therapists, all of which
are highly in demand. If you enjoy helping people and are
interested in how muscles and joints work, here are some possibilities
for what you might be able to become with a degree in physical
therapy.
Orthopedic Physical Therapist
Orthopedic physical therapists are probably what most people
think of when they think of physical therapy. Orthopedic physical
therapists deal with patients’ musculoskeletal systems
to help them regain mobility, strength, and range of motion
after injury or surgery. Treatment is usually in the form
of supervised and prescribed exercises, but can also include
electricity, heat, ice, and submersion in water. Some orthopedic
physical therapists specialize even further to serve particular
populations, like athletes or car accident victims.
Geriatric Physical Therapist
This branch of physical therapy deals specifically with the
elderly and the specific health problems they face that may
limit movement. Geriatric physical therapists work in hospitals,
nursing homes, or in patients’ residences as home health
care providers. They are trained to deal with the ailments
of aging like osteoporosis and arthritis as well as helping
elderly people recover from injuries and surgeries.
Pediatric Physical Therapists
Like with the elderly, it takes specialized training to provide
physical therapy to children and teenagers. Children born
with birth defects and health problems often rely on pediatric
physical therapists to help them learn mobility.
Cardiovascular and Neurological Physical Therapists
Cardiovascular physical therapists work with patients who
have heart problems or are recovering from heart surgery.
Neurological physical therapists work with patients suffering
from neurological problems injuries that may impact mobility,
like stroke or multiple sclerosis. They also help patients
who have brain and spinal cord injuries recover functions.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists are more involved in diagnostics than
actual treatment, although there is a great deal of overlap
between occupational therapy and physical therapy. Occupational
therapists help people with mobility problems or injuries
gain independence in their daily lives. They help them organize
their spaces around what they can do and assist in life skill
development. For example, an occupational therapist working
with a recent amputee might assist in helping him redesign
his kitchen and teach him ways to cook safely.
Physical Therapist Assistant
While many careers in physical therapy require at least a
master’s degree to practice, a physical therapist assistant
can begin work with as little as an associate’s degree.
Physical therapist assistants usually work under the supervision
of a physical therapist in a clinical or hospital setting.
Earning an associate degree in physical therapy is a great
way to get real-world work experience and find out if you
want to further your education in the field.
To see a list of schools that offer physical therapy degree
programs, check out the Physical
Therapy Schools directory.
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