| Their job is to help alleviate pain and improve | | | | massage, electrical stimulation, and hot and cold |
| mobility of their patients. Physical therapists do | | | | compresses in their treatments. |
| this by exercise, massage, and hot and cold | | | | Physical therapy has many different specialty |
| compresses. They also help teach their patients | | | | areas. Neurological physical therapy deals with |
| how to use wheelchairs, crutches, and prosthetic | | | | patients with a neurological disorder that affects |
| limbs if needed. | | | | them physically, like cerebral palsy, multiple |
| Becoming a physical therapist requires a degree | | | | sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke. |
| and a physical therapy license. A master's degree | | | | Orthopedic physical therapy deals with patients |
| from an accredited physical therapy education | | | | with musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis, back |
| program is accepted, but a doctoral degree can | | | | and neck, and sports injuries. Pediatric physical |
| be acquired. As of 2007, there were 209 | | | | therapy is for infants, children, and young adults. |
| accredited physical therapy education programs | | | | Integumentary physical therapy is for patients |
| available, so there are plenty to choose from. | | | | with skin disorders, like burns and wounds that |
| These programs focus on classes such as | | | | cause physical impairment. Cardiopulmonary |
| neuroanatomy, human growth and development, | | | | physical therapy has to do with disorders that |
| and therapeutic procedures. Laboratory and clinical | | | | cystic fibrosis, pulmonary disease, and heart |
| experience is also a part of this program. After | | | | attacks. Geriatric physical therapy deals with |
| you receive a degree you will need to get a | | | | problems resulting from aging like arthritis, |
| physical therapy license before you can start | | | | osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Physical |
| practicing as a physical therapist. The score for | | | | therapy is not a limited career, there are plenty |
| passing the licensing exams vary from | | | | of opportunities. |
| state-to-state. | | | | The annual salary for a physical therapist ranges |
| Physical therapists do many different jobs from | | | | from $50,000-$80,000. Their salary varies |
| day-to-day. They typically have to check their | | | | depending on what environment they work in |
| patient's medical history before they can proceed | | | | (hospital, nursing home, home health) and what |
| with treatment. Then they check their patient's | | | | field of physical therapy they are in. Physical |
| basic skills, such as balance, coordination, strength, | | | | therapists that own their own clinic typically earn |
| and motor function. They do this to determine | | | | more than those who don't. |
| what level their patient is at and where they | | | | Physical therapist jobs are both rewarding and |
| should begin in treatment. Physical therapists | | | | challenging. It is a physically demanding job, but |
| usually map out a treatment plan after these | | | | you get to improve the lives of people every |
| tests. After all of that, they begin treatment. | | | | day. Physical therapy is a great career choice if |
| Treatment usually includes exercises to improve | | | | you enjoy working with and helping people and |
| mobility, strength, and flexibility. They also use | | | | learning new things. |