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

The University of Edinburgh
Learning for a Sustainable Future: Live at COP28
Skills you'll gain: Discussion Facilitation, Environmental Issue, Research, Environmental Science, Student Engagement, Environmental Policy, Community Development, Advocacy, Creativity, International Relations, Social Justice
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
124 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Politecnico di Milano
Modelling and measuring the Energy Transition
Skills you'll gain: Product Lifecycle Management, Sustainability Reporting, Energy and Utilities, Environmental Science, Mathematical Modeling, Systems Thinking, Operational Analysis, Analysis, Microsoft Excel, Environment, Business Modeling, Accounting, Data Literacy, Open Source Technology
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Ideal Gases
Skills you'll gain: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Thermal Management, Engineering Calculations, Mechanics, Semiconductors, Physical Science, Physics, Numerical Analysis, Mathematical Modeling
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
142 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Yale University
Journey Conversations: Weaving Knowledge and Action
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Anthropology, Teaching, Liberal Arts, Storytelling, Community Development, Biology, Systems Thinking, Cultural Diversity, Physics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
164 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universitat de Barcelona
Estrategias para ganar. Meteorología en la vuelta al mundo
Skills you'll gain: Telecommunications, Physical Science, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Global Positioning Systems, Predictive Modeling, Mathematical Modeling, Spatial Data Analysis, Safety Training, Geospatial Information and Technology
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
179 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Techniques of Design-Oriented Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Power Electronics, Control Systems, Electronic Systems, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Engineering Analysis, Simulation and Simulation Software, Matlab, Technical Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
31 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
L&T EduTech
BIM Coordination
Skills you'll gain: Design Reviews, Autodesk Revit, Building Information Modeling, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Engineering Analysis, Architectural Engineering, Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Construction, Technical Standard
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
24 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
L&T EduTech
Comfort in Buildings
Skills you'll gain: Construction, Natural Resource Management, Environment and Resource Management, Building Design, HVAC, Environmental Engineering, Building Codes, Landscape Architecture, Thermal Management, Architectural Design, Human Factors, Physics
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Northwestern University
Modern Robotics, Course 6: Capstone Project, Mobile Manipulation
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Simulation and Simulation Software, Robotic Process Automation, Matlab, Mechanics, Mathematical Modeling, Engineering Calculations
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
57 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Packt
CompTIA Network+ Certification (N10-008): The Total Course
Skills you'll gain: Routing Protocols, TCP/IP, Network Monitoring, Network Switches, Data Centers, OSI Models, Network Routers, Network Security, Wireless Networks, Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), Wide Area Networks, Network Troubleshooting, General Networking, Network Routing, Virtual Machines, Network Infrastructure, Network Administration, Network Model, Network Protocols, Networking Hardware
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
The University of Edinburgh
The Discovery of the Higgs Boson
Skills you'll gain: Physics, Mechanics, Scientific Methods, Advanced Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling, Simulation and Simulation Software, Research, Scientific Visualization
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
L&T EduTech
Geospatial Technology for Construction
Skills you'll gain: Geospatial Mapping, Geospatial Information and Technology, Geographic Information Systems, Construction, Construction Management, Architecture and Construction, Civil and Architectural Engineering, Spatial Analysis, Global Positioning Systems, GIS Software, As-Built Drawings, Survey Creation, Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Instruments, Data Import/Export
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months