| In an ever changing employment world it is important | | | | increase muscle strength. The therapist will document |
| to choose a career that will offer you opportunity, | | | | the patients progress while continually conducting |
| challenge, and a rewarding future. The aging of | | | | examinations and modifying the treatment plan. |
| baby-boomers and improved therapy techniques | | | | Physical therapists are licensed to practice within |
| provides just such a future. | | | | particular states. Although license requirements may |
| Physical therapists are allied healthcare professionals | | | | vary from state to state, therapists must graduate |
| who work in a variety of settings including acute, | | | | from an accredited physical therapy program, receive |
| rehabilitation and long-term care hospitals. P.T's, as | | | | a master's degree, and pass state and national |
| they are often called, also provide home health visits | | | | exams. Many physical therapists go on to earn |
| and work in outpatient settings and skilled nursing | | | | doctorate degrees. Currently, there are over 200 |
| facilities. Approximately 60% of all physical therapists | | | | accredited physical therapy programs nationwide. |
| can be found working in either hospitals or outpatient | | | | Nearly two thirds of those offer doctorate degrees. |
| practices. | | | | Throughout their career physical therapists continue |
| The main job of a physical therapist is to increase | | | | with professional development programs and may |
| mobility and relieve pain, while helping to restore a | | | | receive certifications in certain specialties. The |
| person's ability to function on a day-to-day basis. | | | | professional organization is the American Physical |
| Patients come from a broad range of conditions | | | | Therapy Association, commonly known as APTA. |
| ranging from back pain to head injuries and strokes, | | | | With an aging population, increased life expectancy, |
| cerebral palsy, bone fractures and joint replacements | | | | and medical advancements that have improved |
| to heart disease and sports injuries. Therapists | | | | accident victim survival, the prospects for a rich and |
| attempt to increase the flexibility and range of | | | | rewarding career for physical therapists stand out. It |
| motion of patients by working with patients to | | | | is a career that is personally enriching and fulfilling. |