25 Interesting Facts About Physical Therapy + Statistics

Learn some interesting facts about physical therapy:

1 The term “physical therapy” (PT) covers numerous different types of interventions, including heat/ice therapy, manual therapy, traction, and ultrasound therapy.

2 Both physiotherapy and physical therapy describe the same profession, however, some countries use one term more than the other.

Physical therapist – job description

3 All physical therapists (PTs) need to have a graduate degree from an accredited PTs program before taking the national licensure test, which actually allows them to practice.

4 To become a PTs, a person must 1st master a few competencies, like – neuroscience, biomechanics, anatomy, and exercise physiology.

Furthermore, the student may take hands-on clinical courses and participate in clinical internships, that provide training in screening, patient care, treatment, assessment, and intervention.

5 Previously, an individual had the choice between a doctor of physical therapy (DPT) or master of physical therapy (MPT), but starting of 2015, all accredited PTs programs are at the doctorate level.

6 A physical therapist assistant (PTAs) provides therapeutic care to people under the supervision of a PTs. A fresh physical therapist assistant will earn approximately $42,000 per year or an average wage of $25.02 per hour. An experienced PTAs will make up to $100,000 every year.

7 The median salary for PTs in private practice is approximate $80k per year. Nevertheless, the top ten% of PTs earn more than $116,090 per year.

8 The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that employment opportunities for PTs will grow 36% starting from 2012 to 2022. This growth is much faster than the average for many other present occupations.

9 According to a recent report, PTs are among the top 100 jobs in terms of a good salary, employment opportunity, job security, and manageable work-life balance. Moreover, the Time magazine listed this occupation as the 6th most recession-proof job.

History

10 The ancient form of modern PT dates back to 460 BC when Hector and Hippocrates (the founder of medicine as a rational science) used water therapy (hydrotherapy) and massage to treat their patients.

11 The modern version of PT started during World War I in response to the big requirement to treat injured soldiers. Typical patients during World War I were those with head injuries, amputated limbs, and spinal cord injuries.

Who can benefit from physical therapy?Physical Therapy facts

12 PTs have a long history of helping patients improve their quality of life, plus, they are able to work in different settings, such as – private clinics, outpatient clinics, schools, hospitals, the Emergency Room, or at the patient’s house.

13 Depending on your problem, within the PT field you may want to visit cardiovascular rehab, orthopedic (focuses on the treatment or rehabilitation of injuries to the bones, muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments), acute care, neurologic rehabilitation, lymphedema, wound care, or pulmonary specialists.

14 PT is a professional career that has numerous specialties, such as – sports, musculoskeletal, wound care, neurology (is a rapidly emerging field), cardiopulmonary, EMG, orthopedics, geriatrics, pediatrics, and women’s health.

Curricula for the physical therapist assistant associate degree include the following:

  • Research;
  • Anatomy and physiology;
  • Ethics;
  • Exercise physiology;
  • Communication;
  • Behavioral sciences;
  • Human biology;
  • Clinical pathology;
  • Neuroscience;
  • Kinesiology;
  • Biomechanics;
  • Physics.

15 After an injury, PTs work to decrease pain and help patients return to daily activities as fast as possible. Moreover, PTs help individuals in need to improve or maintain mobility by developing wellness and fitness specialized programs to encourage more active and healthier lifestyles.

16 PT can also help with a faster and cheaper recovery after some type of surgeries. Furthermore, your healthcare specialist may suggest PT for long-term health problems or injuries, like – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or arthritis.Physical Therapiests facts

17 The sports PTs interact with professional athletes to provide first-aid and prevent injury. They also promote long-term muscular development for athletes with this kind of problem.

18 PT is not limited to adults and it can also help children with injuries or chronic health conditions by improving endurance and physical strength, thus, improving overall mobility and wellbeing.

19 In some cases, PT has been shown to be just as effective (or better) than surgery in treating numerous conditions which include – degenerative disk disease (a syndrome in which a compromised disc causes low back pain), rotator cuff tears (a condition afflicting the shoulder), some forms of knee osteoarthritis, and meniscal tears (knee injury).

20 PT clinics operate mainly in the day hours, however, weekend hours and evenings are available if the patient needs assistance.

21 To establish prognoses, diagnoses, and plans of care, PTs perform concise evaluations (also based on your personal goals), to determine what problems should be first addressed.

22 Animal PTs help animals recover faster from operations and injuries through specialized methods, such as – swimming therapy and therapeutic ultrasound.

23 There are about 200,000 PTs practicing in the US, according to the 2010 United States Census.

24 Every year, 50 percent of the people in the United States over the age of 18 have some type of musculoskeletal injury which lasts more than three months.

25 Finding suitable PTs depends on a few factors, like – specialty, insurance acceptance,  geographical location, and the reason for treatment.

References

https://www.studyabroad.com/worldwide/
http://www.learnhowtobecome.org/
https://www.bu.edu/academics/sar/programs/

Leave a Comment