About Physical Therapy: Is the DPT Right for You?

First and foremost, physical therapists are hands-on healthcare professionals.

As a physical therapist, you will use your education, along with your knowledge of anatomy and the sciences, to help patients and clients recover from injuries and achieve improved function and movement.

You will assess a patient’s biomechanical functioning and provide appropriate therapies; you'll develop specialized stretches and exercises to help your patients overcome pain and increase their range of motion.

Moreover, physical therapists are teachers; you will teach your clients how to take charge of their health in order to achieve a better quality of life. PTs are counselors, too, providing clients with the perspective and motivation they need to keep working toward improved health.

Watch the following video to get a sampling of the wide variety of ways that physical therapists help their patients restore and improve motion to achieve long-term quality of life.

• Link to APTA Video, "You Can Be Me:  A Career in Physical Therapy"

The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program attracts students who enjoy science — especially the study of movement — and working with people from all walks of life. Physical Therapists (also known as PTs) might work with infants, only days old, or older adults; they might spend their time working with professional athletes, or patients who have sustained permanent disabilities.

One thing remains constant — no matter who you're working with, PTs help people live better lives, whether it’s in reaching peak athletic performance or returning to a normal range of movement and ability.
 

Hear what physical therapist students and new professionals from diverse backgrounds say about their choice of a physical therapist career at the link below:

• Why I Chose a Career in Physical Therapy

There is virtually no limit to the direction your physical therapy career can take you.

Physical therapists work in a variety of settings, from hospitals to home care. They work in rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, fitness centers, corporate and industrial work places, hospices, public schools, research centers, universities, emergency rooms and sports training centers.

There are unlimited opportunities for physical therapists to work in today's dynamic, continuously evolving healthcare environment.

The U.S. News and World Report has named Physical Therapy the 16th best health care job in 2019! See https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-healthcare-jobs .

In today's healthcare environment, practitioners can no longer afford to work within their respective silos; collaboration is key to improved patient outcomes.

As a physical therapist, you will work closely with other healthcare professionals to improve your client’s  health and functioning. You'll integrate your expertise and collaborate with occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, nurses, physicians, prosthetists, orthotists and others. You'll also provide guidance and therapy in collaboration with school teachers, social workers and family members. 

For more information on the profession of physical therapy and accredited education programs, contact the American Physical Therapy Association at (800) 999-APTA, or visit online at www.apta.org.