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What does a physical therapist do?
This is an excerpt from Careers in Sport, Fitness, and Exercise-2nd Edition by American Kinesiology Association,Thomas Templin,Kim C Graber,Penny McCullagh.
By Jane E. Clark
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists help people rehabilitate from injuries, surgery, and chronic conditions to maximize their quality of life. They work with individuals of all ages, from infants to older adults, and in a variety of settings from hospitals, clinics, schools, private offices, to sometimes in patients’ homes.
What You Will Do
Physical therapists assist people in rehabilitating from injuries, chronic conditions, and postsurgery. Today, physical therapists are licensed doctors who examine, diagnose, and establish treatment plans for movement dysfunction in all age groups, from infants to those at the end of their lives. They work with patients to improve movement, reduce or manage pain, and restore function. They monitor the patient’s progress and adjust the treatment plan accordingly. They also may direct and supervise a physical therapist assistant to implement the treatment plan.
Where You Will Work
Physical therapists work in a wide variety of settings, including physical therapy clinics, hospitals, schools, sports and fitness facilities, people’s homes, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes.
Whom You Will Work With
Depending on the setting, physical therapists work with a variety of professionals, including other physical therapists, doctors, nurses, coaches, fitness trainers, athletic trainers, and physical therapist assistants.
What Personal Skills and Abilities You Will
Need to Succeed
Critical thinking is especially important for physical therapists because they must assess patients’ capabilities and formulate treatment plans. Communication skills are also crucial because physical therapists must be able to clearly explain the treatment plan and therapy. They must be good listeners in order to understand patient concerns and difficulties. Compassion for and understanding of the patients’ difficulties are critical, as is the ability to motivate patients as they persist in their therapy program. Physical stamina and dexterity are also required because physical therapists spend considerable time working with their patients doing “hands-on” activities.
What Education and Certifications You Will Need
In the United States, physical therapists must complete a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited physical therapist program and pass a state licensure examination. The typical graduate program is three years. For an updated directory of accredited programs, visit www.capteonline.org/.
A short article in Kinesiology Today reported that in 2018-2019, 98,773 students applied to physical therapy school and that exercise science and kinesiology were the top majors accepted into physical therapy schools (McCullagh 2021). A recent search on the Internet supported this claim, suggesting that the top majors for getting into physical therapy programs were kinesiology, exercise, science, health science, biology, and psychology (University of St. Augustine, November 20, 2024, www.usa.edu/blog/5-best-undergraduate-degrees-for-physical-therapy/).
Future Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for physical therapists is quite positive. It is projected that between 2023 and 2033, employment growth will be 14 percent, which is significantly faster than the average of all other occupations. This growth is thought to be largely attributable to increases in our aging population and their requirements for physical therapy services. For more information on physical therapy, visit www.apta.org/.
Physical Therapist Assistant
The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics projects that overall employment for physical therapist assistants will grow 19 percent from 2023 to 2033.
A physical therapist assistant works with a physical therapist in the treatment of patients. After the physical therapist has developed a treatment plan for a patient, the physical therapist assistant will work with the patient to implement the treatment plan, record the patient’s progress, and provide patient updates to the physical therapist. The physical therapist assistant will work in the same settings as those where physical therapists work.
In the United States, physical therapist assistants must graduate from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapist assistant program and pass a state-administered national examination to obtain the licensure or certification required in most states. The typical physical therapist assistant program takes two years. For an updated directory of accredited programs, visit www.capteonline.org. Note that several programs are designed to “bridge” a physical therapist assistant degree to a physical therapy degree (these programs are listed on the CAPTE website). For more information on becoming a physical therapist assistant, visit www.apta.org/your-career/careers-in-physical-therapy.
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