Physical therapists are experts in the body and can help patients recover from physical injuries or injuries with rehabilitation. Physical therapy is a flexible job that allows the physical therapist as well as a physical assistant to therapists to work in various environments, giving you choices of where you can be able to work once you have completed your studies and getting your examinations.
Where are physical therapists and assistants to physical therapy where do they work?
Physical therapists and assistants work in a variety of different locations, including private practices, clinics nursing facilities, doctor’s offices as well as patient’s homes, school and fitness centers, as well as hospitals.
Physical therapist assistants must be a part of an authorized physical therapist which is the reason it is common to see a physical therapist assistants working alongside an physical therapist.
What are PTs as well as PTAs do?
The profession that is physical therapy demands that you be involved in providing assistance to people recovering from injuries to their bodies or illnesses, surgeries, or other issues like chronic illnesses.
There are distinct distinctions between a physical therapist and occupational therapist. The PT’s focus is on enhancing the function and mobility of the patient’s muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons as an occupational therapist is focused on helping individuals overcome limitations in their body that hinder their occupation or way of life. Both kinds of therapists assess and treat patients with medical conditions.
Physical therapists’ responsibilities can vary from assisting someone to walk again, to helping patients to regain motor abilities after stroke. Below are the possible locations where the physical therapist assistants might work along with possible treatment methods in each situation.
Private Practice
Physical therapists typically establish their own practice for outpatients and hire assistants to physical therapy to assist them in caring for patients. The typical diagnoses in a clinic setting include sports related injuries as well as general musculoskeletal conditions. Treatment methods typically include muscular relaxation and stretching, as well as massage application of different therapeutic techniques including the use of ultrasound, heat and Ice.
Another popular place to locate assistants to physical therapy is in a hospital. The aim of physical therapy in a hospital or an inpatient setting is to aid patients regain their general mobility which has been lost due to an injury or illness. The most common treatment methods involve general strength training with a emphasis on mobility, like the ability to move from one area to the next walking, and moving through steps in a secure manner.
Nursing Facilities
It is possible to find a scenario where a patient is recuperating from an illness or injury and is able to leave the hospital, however the patient isn’t strong or fit enough to leave home. In this scenario it is possible to send the patient to a hospital that is subacute. In this scenario it is possible that a physical therapist assistants will continue to work with the same program that was established in the hospital setting, such as the training of mobility skills and general strengthening with the aim for the patient to be as self-sufficient as is possible in the daily activities. The physical therapist assistants working in this environment often are trained in the field of geriatric physical therapy.
Home Healthcare
When it is difficult for patients to move out of their house, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants may provide therapy at the patient’s house. Therapy performed in the patient’s house lets that Physical therapist or Physical therapist assistants to concentrate on the requirements of the patient in the comfort of their home.
School Systems
Another location you might not be able to think of immediately, the places where physical therapists or physical therapy assistants pursue their careers is in schools that are public. In the context of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act physical therapists or assistants ensure that there is a free and adequate education for students with disabilities.
How do you begin a career in Therapy?
Beginning with a physical therapist assistant degree will be able to finish your licensing requirements and begin working as an assistant for a physical therapist, or finish your studies as a physical therapy. You might have heard the fact that both physical therapy as well as therapy assistant programs are limited in number of students, so by looking for programs that allow direct admission is a better chance to be able to get a place in your preferred PT as well as physical therapist assistants program.