My field of study, physical therapy, betters humanity in many ways. The field of physical therapy is known for returning patients to their maximum level of physical function. In most cases, patients do physical therapy in place of surgery. The physical therapist assistant (PTA) administers the provision of components of the physical therapy treatment. Depending on the needs of the patient, components of a patient’s interventions may be directed to the PTA, instead of the physical therapist. PTA’s provide a variety of physical therapy techniques as they carry out the plan of care for the patient. This plan can include therapeutic exercise, functional training, deep soft tissue massage, and physical modalities such as electrotherapy and ultrasound.
…show more content…
The vast majority of PTA’s work in hospitals or privately owned physical therapy practices. Others work in home health, schools, and rehab units. In an acute care setting, physical therapy is provided to individuals who are admitted to a hospital for short-term patient care for reasons such as illness, surgery, accident, or recovery from a trauma. A rehabilitation hospital setting provides physical therapy to individuals who are admitted to a facility or rehabilitation unit. In the most common physical therapy setting, outpatient care, individuals visit in a clinic, office, or other health care facility primarily to address musculoskeletal and neuromuscular injuries or impairments. In a school setting, physical therapy is provided within an educational environment, including preschool, elementary, or secondary education facilities. A home health setting is where physical therapy is provided in the patient's home. Patients provided physical therapy in the last phases of an incurable disease so that they may maintain functional abilities for as long as possible and manage pain are in a hospice setting. These are only a few of the settings that PTA’s work in, and it goes on to show how many people physical therapy can make an impact on to help better …show more content…
I first became interested in this career when I was injured and had to get therapy. Another way that I got inspired to pursue a degree in physical therapy was the job shadow near the end of my junior year to a local PTA. At this job shadow, I observed a PTA administer therapeutic modalities like stem, ultrasound, heat, and ice. To strengthen, the patients used elastic bands. During my senior year, I had the privilege of job shadowing at two different physical therapy settings. One setting included a gym, pool, and outpatient care, while the other had outpatient care and home health. The facility with the pool had a modality called water therapy. Water therapy is very effective because it improves flexibility, balance and coordination, builds muscle strength and endurance, enhances aerobic capacity, assists with gait and locomotion, reduces stress, and promotes relaxation. I loved getting to see how the patient's therapy helped them get stronger so they can return to their regular activities. These two job shadows my senior year confirmed that this is the field for
The vast majority of PTA’s work in hospitals or privately owned physical therapy practices. Others work in home health, schools, and rehab units. In an acute care setting, physical therapy is provided to individuals who are admitted to a hospital for short-term patient care for reasons such as illness, surgery, accident, or recovery from a trauma. A rehabilitation hospital setting provides physical therapy to individuals who are admitted to a facility or rehabilitation unit. In the most common physical therapy setting, outpatient care, individuals visit in a clinic, office, or other health care facility primarily to address musculoskeletal and neuromuscular injuries or impairments. In a school setting, physical therapy is provided within an educational environment, including preschool, elementary, or secondary education facilities. A home health setting is where physical therapy is provided in the patient's home. Patients provided physical therapy in the last phases of an incurable disease so that they may maintain functional abilities for as long as possible and manage pain are in a hospice setting. These are only a few of the settings that PTA’s work in, and it goes on to show how many people physical therapy can make an impact on to help better …show more content…
I first became interested in this career when I was injured and had to get therapy. Another way that I got inspired to pursue a degree in physical therapy was the job shadow near the end of my junior year to a local PTA. At this job shadow, I observed a PTA administer therapeutic modalities like stem, ultrasound, heat, and ice. To strengthen, the patients used elastic bands. During my senior year, I had the privilege of job shadowing at two different physical therapy settings. One setting included a gym, pool, and outpatient care, while the other had outpatient care and home health. The facility with the pool had a modality called water therapy. Water therapy is very effective because it improves flexibility, balance and coordination, builds muscle strength and endurance, enhances aerobic capacity, assists with gait and locomotion, reduces stress, and promotes relaxation. I loved getting to see how the patient's therapy helped them get stronger so they can return to their regular activities. These two job shadows my senior year confirmed that this is the field for