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

University of Colorado Boulder

Frozen in the Ice: Exploring the Arctic

Skills you'll gain: Environmental Issue, Systems Thinking, Cultural Sensitivity, Environmental Monitoring, International Relations, Mathematical Modeling, Environmental Science, Biology, Scientific Methods, Physics, Research, Chemistry

Politecnico di Milano

Introduzione alla fisica sperimentale: meccanica, termodinamica

Skills you'll gain: Mechanics, Physics, Hydraulics, Thermal Management, Engineering Analysis, Experimentation, Engineering Calculations, Systems Of Measurement, Calculus

Status: Free Trial

MedCerts

Mental Health Development, Difficulties, and Disorders

Skills you'll gain: Child Development, Human Development, Mental Health Therapies, Pediatrics, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Mental Health, Working With Children, Psychology, Geriatrics, Behavioral Health

Status: Free Trial

Arizona State University

Electron and Ion Beam Characterization

Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Failure Analysis, Image Analysis, Electronic Components, Laboratory Equipment, Chemistry, Laboratory Research, Quantitative Research, Scientific Visualization, Qualitative Research

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Astronomía básica

Skills you'll gain: Physical Science, Physics, Environment, General Science and Research, Biology, Systems Of Measurement, Geographic Information Systems, Estimation, Chemistry, Scientific Visualization

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Thermodynamique : applications

Skills you'll gain: Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Thermal Management, Engineering, HVAC, Energy and Utilities, Physics, Process Engineering, Electrical Power, Differential Equations, Calculus, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Calculations, Mathematical Modeling

Status: Free Trial

University of Colorado Boulder

Approximation Methods

Skills you'll gain: Estimation, Engineering Calculations, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling, Engineering Analysis, Differential Equations, Physics

Siemens

Dinámica de fluidos computacional aplicada

Skills you'll gain: Simulation and Simulation Software, Engineering Analysis, Finite Element Methods, Engineering Calculations, Simulations, Thermal Management, Mechanical Engineering, Hydraulics, Engineering, Numerical Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Computational Thinking, Chemical Engineering, Physics

University of Colorado Boulder

Deep Time: Discovering an Ancient Earth

Skills you'll gain: Physical Science, General Science and Research, Research, Scientific Methods, Environment, Peer Review, Timelines, World History

Status: Free Trial

Dartmouth College

Engineering of Structures: Shear and Bending

Skills you'll gain: Structural Analysis, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Calculations, Engineering Analysis, Construction, Mechanics, Engineering Design Process

Johns Hopkins University

Opioid Epidemic: From Evidence to Impact

Skills you'll gain: Medical Prescription, Patient Education And Counseling, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Pharmaceuticals, Chronic Diseases, Epidemiology, Injury Prevention, Medication Therapy Management, Mental and Behavioral Health, Health Policy, Community Health, Public Health

Status: Free Trial

L&T EduTech

Modelling, Analysis and Design of Steel Buildings

Skills you'll gain: Structural Engineering, Structural Analysis, Building Design, Architectural Engineering, Computer-Aided Design, Failure Analysis, Engineering Analysis, Engineering Calculations, 3D Modeling, Engineering Design Process, Engineering Software

Physical Therapy Courses Online

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