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
University at Buffalo
Digital Thread: Components
Skills you'll gain: Digital Transformation, Data Sharing, Manufacturing Operations, Business Transformation, Workflow Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Data Storage, Process Management, Information Management, Goal Setting, Data Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
811 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Michigan
Act on Climate: Steps to Individual, Community, and Political Action
Skills you'll gain: Community Development, Social Sciences, Environmental Policy, Environmental Issue, Social Work, Environmental Science, Advocacy, Nutrition and Diet, Energy and Utilities, Persuasive Communication
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
193 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Cloud Computing Applications, Part 1: Cloud Systems and Infrastructure
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Services, Cloud Computing, Cloud Storage, Cloud Platforms, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Middleware, Containerization, Data Storage Technologies, Virtualization, Virtual Machines, Amazon S3, Platform As A Service (PaaS)
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
844 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Anatomy & Physiology: Regulation, Integration, & Control
Skills you'll gain: Anatomy, Neurology, Pharmacology, Kinesiology, Life Sciences, Medical Terminology, Biology
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
21 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Organic Solar Cells - Theory and Practice
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Energy and Utilities, Chemistry, Laboratory Experience, Manufacturing Processes, Failure Analysis, Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Instruments, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Product Lifecycle Management, Environmental Science, Technical Standard
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Rice University
General Chemistry: Concept Development and Application
Skills you'll gain: Chemistry, General Science and Research, Physics, Laboratory Research, Scientific Methods, Experimentation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Gestión integral del riesgo de desastres
Skills you'll gain: Risk Management, Mitigation, Risk Mitigation, Business Risk Management, Risk Analysis, Decision Making, Policy Development, Governance, Vulnerability, Public Policies
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
314 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Healthy Practices: Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Community and Family Participation
Skills you'll gain: Nutrition Education, Community Health, Nutrition and Diet, Public Health, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Child Health, Working With Children, Student Engagement, Community Outreach, Student Support and Services, Parent Communication, Curriculum Planning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
856 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Photovoltaic Systems
Skills you'll gain: Power Electronics, Plant Operations and Management, Electric Power Systems, Energy and Utilities, Semiconductors, Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Components, Physics, Engineering Calculations, Manufacturing Processes, Mathematical Modeling, Product Testing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
154 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
L&T EduTech
Building Smarter: BIM in Practice
Skills you'll gain: Autodesk Revit, Design Reviews, Building Information Modeling, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Construction Management, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Construction, Construction Engineering, Commercial Construction, Engineering Analysis, Construction Estimating, Architectural Engineering, Emerging Technologies, Civil and Architectural Engineering, Structural Engineering, Engineering Documentation, Architectural Design, Collaborative Software, 3D Modeling, Facility Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
71 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Geographical Information Systems - Part 1
Skills you'll gain: Geographic Information Systems, GIS Software, Spatial Data Analysis, NoSQL, Data Modeling, Database Design, Databases, Data Storage Technologies, SQL, Data Storage, Data Capture, Query Languages, Relational Databases
3.5
Rating, 3.5 out of 5 stars
94 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
UBITS
Mindfulness para ser más efectivo
Skills you'll gain: Productivity, Self-Awareness, Time Management, Mindfulness, Personal Development, Emotional Intelligence, Assertiveness, Stress Management, Resilience, Relationship Building, Communication, Interpersonal Communications, Mental Concentration
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
251 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months