What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical practice that helps those with injuries, diseases, and other physical limitations move and function better, as well as manage pain, through various treatments. The overall goal of physical therapy is to improve the life of the patient. Reaching that goal may involve the use of exercise, manipulation, manual therapy, electrophysical modalities, devices, and medication. The origins of physical therapy date back to the time of the famous Greek physician Hippocrates , who used hydrotherapy to help people with skin, joint, and muscle problems.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in physical therapy?

Anyone who is interested in a career in physical therapy and related practices should be interested in helping others better themselves. You should be able to maintain a positive attitude, even through trying circumstances, and you should be an excellent communicator. It's also important to be a keen observer and pay close attention to detail. You'll need to be physically strong as well, since the job sometimes requires you to lift and hold patients who can't stand on their own.

Why learn physical therapy?

Learning about physical therapy can lead to an exciting career as a physical therapist. Physical therapists who enter this profession can help patients in private offices, hospitals, hospice facilities, nursing homes, home health care, schools, and rehab clinics. They may also open their own practices. Even if you don't want to pursue a career in the field, learning about physical therapy can help you better understand your own body. You'll discover new ways to stay physically healthy.

What are some typical careers that use physical therapy?

Most people who study physical therapy become physical therapists. However, there are several other options in this area. You may go on to become an athletic trainer for sports teams or a chiropractor with your own practice. You can become a personal trainer, exercise instructor, or exercise physiologist. Some people who study physical therapy go on to explore other therapeutic careers, such as speech, recreational, or occupational therapy. You can use your education as the basis for a career as a physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or audiologist too.

What are the benefits of taking an online Physical Therapy course?

Online Physical Therapy courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Physical Therapy skills. Choose from a wide range of Physical Therapy courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

Top Physical Therapy Courses - Learn Physical Therapy Online

Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
Dartmouth College
Environmental Science
Skills you'll gain: Environment, Environmental Issue, Environmental Science, Water Resources, Environmental Policy, Biology, Systems Thinking, Energy and Utilities, Physics, Chemistry
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
271 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Energy, Environment, and Everyday Life
Skills you'll gain: Energy and Utilities, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Environment, Electric Power Systems, Economics, Physics, Natural Resource Management, Mechanics, Engineering, Chemistry, Emerging Technologies
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
220 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Macquarie University
Online Learning Design for Educators
Skills you'll gain: Video Production, Infographics, Course Development, Multimedia, Discussion Facilitation, Content Creation, Constructive Feedback, Instructional Design, Education Software and Technology, Design Thinking, Learning Management Systems, Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Storytelling, Community Development, Emerging Technologies, Virtual Environment, Collaboration, System Configuration, Safety and Security
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
384 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Northwestern University
Modern Robotics, Course 2: Robot Kinematics
Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Modeling, Machine Controls, Automation Engineering, Engineering Calculations, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Analysis, Mechanics, Computational Logic, Simulation and Simulation Software, Virtual Environment, Torque (Physics), Numerical Analysis, Linear Algebra, Trigonometry, Control Systems
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
295 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
EIT Digital
Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems
Skills you'll gain: Embedded Systems, Embedded Software, Internet Of Things, Operating Systems, Real-Time Operating Systems, Wireless Networks, System Programming, Hardware Architecture, Simulations, C (Programming Language), Network Protocols
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
625 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Renewable Power and Electricity Systems
Skills you'll gain: Electric Power Systems, Electrical Power, Energy and Utilities, Basic Electrical Systems, Systems Of Measurement, Reliability, Market Dynamics, Emerging Technologies, Systems Integration, Capacity Management, Innovation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
272 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
École Polytechnique
Wind resources for renewable energies
Skills you'll gain: Water Resources, Hydraulics, Data Analysis, Real Time Data, Physical Science, Estimation, Spatial Data Analysis, Environment and Resource Management, Mathematical Modeling, Environmental Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Systems Of Measurement, Mechanics
3.6
Rating, 3.6 out of 5 stars
130 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
3D Printing Software
Skills you'll gain: 3D Modeling, Design Software, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Technical Design, Computer Graphics, Graphical Tools, Technical Communication
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
541 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universitat de Barcelona
Atención prehospitalaria del ictus agudo y selección de pacientes para tratamiento endovascular con la escala RACE
Skills you'll gain: Acute Care, Primary Care, Emergency Departments, Emergency and Intensive Care, Emergency Medical Services, Neurology, Medical Emergency, Health Assessment, Triage, Patient Evaluation, Care Coordination, First Aid, Rehabilitation
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
278 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
American Museum of Natural History
The Dynamic Earth: A Course for Educators
Skills you'll gain: Physical Science, Environment, Risk Control, General Science and Research, Environmental Science, Scientific Methods, Chemistry
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
227 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Evolución
Skills you'll gain: Biology, Life Sciences, Human Development, Learning Theory, Human Learning, Environment, World History, Social Studies, Deductive Reasoning, European History, Higher Education, Taxonomy, Mathematical Modeling, Scientific Methods, Probability & Statistics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
357 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Converter Control
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Power Electronics, Electronic Systems, Electrical Engineering, Systems Analysis, Electronics, Electrical Systems, Systems Design, Graphical Tools, Performance Testing, Mathematical Modeling, Differential Equations
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
646 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks