Support for your Health - Physical Therapy Resources

Overview

Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that works to improve the quality of life of individuals with mobility issues. Physical therapists, which have licenses controlled by each state, work to assess and treat a variety of individuals with a wide range of physical limitations. The goals of physical therapy are to improve mobility, reduce pain, improve balance, increase strength, and decrease stiffness. There are a number of methods that physical therapists can use to reach this goal, including electrical stimulation, ultrasound, heat, ice, manipulation, and therapeutic exercises. A doctor will typically refer a patient to a physical therapist after an injury or illness. Physical therapy can take place in a client’s home, hospital, school, outpatient clinic, or long-term nursing home facility.

History

Within the Western world, physical therapy was first documented in 460 B.C. by Hippocrates, who used massage and hydrotherapy as methods to ease pain and cure disease. Physical therapy in the modern world was first documented in London, England in the year 1896. This came about as a way to help hospitalized patients regain muscle tone, strength, and mobility. The group who began this formed the Charted Society of Physiotherapy. In the 1920s, orthopedic surgeons in the United States began using physical therapy, partially in response to injuries from the first and second World Wars. The American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association was founded in 1921, and has since evolved into the American Physical Therapy Association. The field continued to develop, with the 1940s bringing focus to exercise and traction treatments. Since then, physical therapy has divided into numerous specialty areas.

Specialty Areas

• Orthopedic - Orthopedic physical therapy focuses on diagnosing and treating disorders or injuries of the musculoskeletal system. This means any issue affecting the bones, tendons, ligaments, or muscles. Common problems seen by orthopedic physical therapists include arthritis, fractures, sprains, strains, back and neck problems, and spinal conditions. Acute sports injuries are also treated by physical therapists and many top athletes are seen by orthopedic physical therapists for this problem. Orthopedic surgeons will also refer patients to a physical therapist for post-operative rehabilitation. In this specialty, common treatment methods are manipulation, therapeutic exercise, strength training, electrical muscle stimulation, and sonography.

• Geriatric - Geriatric physical therapy has the goal of helping aging adults increase mobility and reduce pain while maintaining a physical fitness program. Physical therapists specializing in geriatrics will see patients with arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, incontinence, and balance disorders. Treatment in geriatric physical therapy is highly individualized and may draw from a number of different physical therapy specialties.

• Neurological - Physical therapists who have a neurological specialty will help patients who have a disease or disorder affecting the brain or spinal cord, such as ALS, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, and stroke. These patients will work through programs that help them to regain muscle control, vision, balance, mobility, and independence.

• Cardiovascular & Pulmonary - This specialty treats patients with cardiopulmonary disorders, as well as patients recovering from cardiovascular or pulmonary surgery. Patients who can benefit from cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy include individuals recovering from heart attacks and coronary bypass surgery, and patients with a chronic disease such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and obstructive pulmonary disease. The goals of a physical therapist in this specialty are to help their patients gain independence and endurance.

• Pediatric - Pediatric physical therapy works to assess and treat disorders and diseases affecting children and adolescents. Children and adolescents with developmental delays, cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, and torticollis are often referred to pediatric physical therapists. The goals of pediatric physical therapy are to improve both gross and fine motor skills, balance, strength, coordination, and endurance. Pediatric physical therapists can also help patients with cognitive and sensory development.

Licensing

• For Candidates and Licensees - The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapists website provides information for individuals interesting in testing to become a certified physical therapist.

• Specialist Certification - Special training and certification may be required if a physical therapist wishes to specialize in a field such as neurological physical therapy.

• Siskind Susser Chart of Physical Therapist Licensing Requirements by State - This chart is very useful when researching the requirements to become a physical therapist in a certain state.

Associations

• American Physical Therapy Association - This organization provides information for people who have careers as physical therapists and for patients undergoing physical therapy.

• Illinois Physical Therapy Association - Representing over 3,000 organizations, this organization provides a variety of resources for physical therapists in Illinois.

• California Physical Therapy Association - This organization for physical therapists in California provides information on a variety of topics including education requirements.

• Florida Physical Therapy Association - Education information and research information are provided on the website for the organization bringing together physical therapists in Florida.

• Michigan Physical Therapy Association - Providing resources for physical therapists and patients alike, this organization is a non-profit aiming to bring together Michigan physical therapists.

• Physical Therapy Association of Washington - The Washington chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association brings together therapists in Washington.

• Virginia Physical Therapy Association - Bringing physical therapists in Virginia together, this organization's website provides a variety of resources on physical therapy.

• New York Physical Therapy Association - The website for the New York Physical Therapy Association provides a wealth of information and resources for physical therapists.

• Ohio Physical Therapy Association - The Ohio Physical Therapy Association website aims to bring together the physical therapists in the state and hopes to provide valuable resources on the career.

Universities

• University of Delaware - Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware.

• University of Florida - Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Florida

• University of Utah College of Health - Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Utah College of Health

• University of Indianapolis - The Krannert School of Physical Therapy at the University of Indianapolis

• University of Kentucky - The College of Health Sciences Physical Therapy Department at the University of Kentucky

• University of Toronto - Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto

• McGill University - School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University

• University of North Carolina - Division of Physical Therapy of the University of North Carolina

• University of Maryland - Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science at the University of Maryland

• University of Puget Sound - School of Physical Therapy at the University of Puget Sound

Journals

• Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association - This website is home to the Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association and provides articles on a variety of subjects in the field of physical therapy.

• Advance for Physical Therapists and PT Assistants - This website provides a large number of resources and blogs for physical therapists and people interested in the field.

• Journal of Sports Rehabilitation - This journal specifically focuses on physical therapy for those involved in sports.

Additional Resources

• What is Physical Therapy? - WebMD provides a page with information on what physical therapy is, who it benefits, and when it is necessary.

• Physical Therapy Basics - The basics of physical therapy are discussed on this website meant for kids.

• Physical Therapy Career Overview - If you are interested in becoming a physical therapist, this page provides a valuable career overview.

• World Confederation for Physical Therapy - A variety of resources for physical therapists are made available on this website.

• Physical Therapists - The nature of the work, salary information, and more are made available on this page discussing physical therapy as a career.

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