According to the American Physical Therapy Association, “physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives”. Physical therapy is focused on improving range of motion, decreasing pain levels, and formulating the patient’s plan of care. As a physical therapist there is broad spectrum of fields in which one can specialize. In-patient, out-patient, geriatrics, pediatrics, and sports rehab are just a few examples of these fields (Tseh).
In order to become a physical therapist extensive education is required. A Doctorate …show more content…
With an increase in students pursuing physical therapy it would be reasonable to assume that the job outlook would be poor. In contradiction, the job security for physical therapy is in fact increasing. The demand for physical therapists can be accredited to the aging American population, who are more susceptible to harmful conditions that require a physical therapist. “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for physical therapists is expected to spike upward by an astonishing 30% between 2008 and 2018. Currently, there are approximately 185,500 licensed physical therapists in the United States, and that number is expected to jump to 241,700 over the next 10 years” (American Physical Therapy Association ). Along with a positive job outlook physical therapy also has impressive wages. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics the mean annual wage in 2014 was $83,940 (Labor). This breaks down to an hourly wage of about $40.35. With a good job outlook, good salary, and enjoyable work variety physical therapy is really my dream …show more content…
From high tech laser treatment to simple iPad, physical therapy encompasses it all. Without technology physical therapy would be a long gruesome process. In a tech savvy world the healthcare system is quickly moving toward electronic paperwork. I have shadowed in an orthopedic physical therapy building in which every therapist has their own personal iPad to carry around and record all their data and paperwork. Smartphones and tablets can also be helpful in respects to the patient. “Many new apps are being made to track a home exercise program and teach patients about their posture and body mechanics” (Hutkin). Telemedicine is a new form of rehab in which an interactive media is used such as video games or virtual
In order to become a physical therapist extensive education is required. A Doctorate …show more content…
With an increase in students pursuing physical therapy it would be reasonable to assume that the job outlook would be poor. In contradiction, the job security for physical therapy is in fact increasing. The demand for physical therapists can be accredited to the aging American population, who are more susceptible to harmful conditions that require a physical therapist. “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for physical therapists is expected to spike upward by an astonishing 30% between 2008 and 2018. Currently, there are approximately 185,500 licensed physical therapists in the United States, and that number is expected to jump to 241,700 over the next 10 years” (American Physical Therapy Association ). Along with a positive job outlook physical therapy also has impressive wages. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics the mean annual wage in 2014 was $83,940 (Labor). This breaks down to an hourly wage of about $40.35. With a good job outlook, good salary, and enjoyable work variety physical therapy is really my dream …show more content…
From high tech laser treatment to simple iPad, physical therapy encompasses it all. Without technology physical therapy would be a long gruesome process. In a tech savvy world the healthcare system is quickly moving toward electronic paperwork. I have shadowed in an orthopedic physical therapy building in which every therapist has their own personal iPad to carry around and record all their data and paperwork. Smartphones and tablets can also be helpful in respects to the patient. “Many new apps are being made to track a home exercise program and teach patients about their posture and body mechanics” (Hutkin). Telemedicine is a new form of rehab in which an interactive media is used such as video games or virtual