Physical therapists help patients restore function and mobility through rehabilitation from injuries and diseases. Their work involves evaluating patients, creating rehabilitation programs, monitoring progress, and discharging patients when treatment is complete. Physical therapists must earn a doctorate degree and pass licensure exams to practice. They read professional journals and textbooks to stay informed on techniques and research. Students can prepare for a career in physical therapy by shadowing therapists, reading relevant materials, and practicing writing skills like exercise prescriptions.

1. The reading, writing and practice of rehabilitation Cody Smith Physical Therapy Literature

2. Physical therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or diseases [1]. Physical Therapy

3. There are some things you need to know. This is a presentation for those who are interested in pursuing a career in Physical Therapy. It can be very beneficial to consider the following information. However it is also important to do your own research to familiarize yourself with the specifics of this career and find out if it is truly what you want to achieve. Thinking about Physical Therapy?

4. Physical Therapists must receive a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from an accredited university and pass state and national licensure exams. Education and Requirements

5. Evaluate new patients. Create a daily rehabilitation program. Monitor daily exercises/modalities and note any progression or regression. Reevaluate patients and discharge them when rehabilitated or as otherwise needed. What do Physical Therapists Do?

6. What are Modalities? Traction Ice Pack Heat Pack Massage Electric Stimulation Laser Therapy Whirlpool

7. Professional, peer reviewed Journals Educational Magazines Other Professionals’ articles or blogs Anatomy and Physiology text books What do Physical Therapists Read?

8. Journal of Physical Therapy Science The Physician and Sports Medicine Clinical Rehabilitation Physical Therapy – the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) online journal. While all of these journals are popular, Physical Therapists tend to practice their own techniques and use journals as suggestions if something they are doing doesn’t work. What Journals are Popular Among PT?

9. Advance for Physical Therapy and Rehab Medicine A deep look into the modalities of physical therapy. PT in Motion For dynamic exercises. Today in PT A day to day research tool. What Magazines do PTs Read?

10. Initial and final evaluation forms For determining the progress of the patient over the course of rehab. Daily progress in exercise charts To keep up with daily progress and to incorporate or discontinue exercises or modalities. Letters to doctors concerning the patient’s needs such as braces or splints What Physical Therapists Write

11. Students should read the popular journals and magazines mentioned as well as anatomy and physiology texts to familiarize themselves with the human anatomy. Practice writing exercise prescriptions. Writing in abbreviations will better prepare students. How Can a Student Prepare for this Career?

12. Students should also spend plenty of time shadowing a Physical Therapist. Much can be learned not only about the career but about the student’s interest in the career by putting in hours of observation Every PT school requires different hours of observation at different settings in order to gain admission. Student Preparation Continued

13. American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): There were 209 accredited physical therapist education programs in 2007. Of the programs, there were 43 Master’s Degrees (2 years) and 166 Doctoral Degrees (3 years). Today it is becoming a requirement to earn a Doctoral Degree in order to practice in most areas. Academic Research

14. The Physician and Sports Medicine (2009). Biomechanics (2009). Muscles in Action (2009). Ray Yumang. Physical Therapist, DPT. Fayetteville, AR. Jamika Tatum. Physical Therapist, DPT. Springdale, AR. Clint Rhodes. Physical Therapist, DPT. El Dorado, AR. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm#nature [1] http://www.apta.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home Works Cited

15. http://www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/noindex/0304/programs/pg431_physical_therapy.gif http://www.rimpt.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/PT_logo_-_ABPTS.228103702_std.jpg http://students.ou.edu/C/Amber.K.Cook-1/physical_therapist.gif http://www.harmonyhand.com/images/collage.jpg http://images1.cafepress.com/product/107012141v3_225x225_Front.jpg http://www.themedica.com/gifs/book_images/s_image/240_physicaltherapy-products.jpg http://content.etilize.com/Large/11966520.jpg http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0803611919.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg Graphics Cited