Becoming a Physical Therapist first requires a Bachelors Degree. One acquaintance of mine got his Bachelor's Degree in Sports Medicine. His next step is a Doctorate program at the University of Utah. There are several colleges and universities that offer this option. There are several others such as Cal State Northridge that have a Masters program available. Either option can launch you to a high paying and highly rewarding career. Learning how to become a physical therapist can set you on a profession that will change people's lives, including your own.
While getting your Bachelors Degree, it would be helpful to work as an intern or volunteer. Many hospitals and physical therapy offices welcome students seeking to better themselves and gain experience. It is difficult to find jobs that pay for this experience, but it is sometimes possible. There is some jobs available working as an assistant to a physical therapist. Usually the wages are not fantastic until you have received your degree. Many students get a better experience by volunteering for free and just consider that work to be part of their education. This experience will be very highly regarded by the board of examiners who will determine whether to accept you application for post secondary education in a physical therapy program, whether it is masters or doctorate.
Locating opportunities to work in physical therapy will not be difficult once you have received the proper education. There is currently more demand than there are personnel to fill the positions. You can pretty much work and live wherever you want to. There is no limit to the opportunities available. You can receive a very high hourly wage working in a physical therapy office. Some physical therapists start their own practice. If you choose this career path you would also want to add to your education some courses in business and management. You could own your own practice, employing other physical therapists, and there would be no limit to your earnings potential. You might also go into a business partnership with a medical doctor. A patient, who has been treated for an injury or ailment by the medical doctor, would then be able to visit the same clinic to receive the physical therapy that might be prescribed.
The author of this article knows an individual who received severe frost bite on his toes. They actually got frozen during a cross country ski trip in Alaska. When his toes thawed out they turned black. He went to his family doctor, who was afraid the toes would have to be amputated. But he decided to first give physical therapy a try. Located in the same office building was a physical therapy clinic. The patient went there three times a week for six weeks. In each session, he would soak his toes in a medicated whirl pool bath for fifteen minutes. This was to improve circulation and healing, as well as to kill germs, and prevent infection. Then the physical therapist would cut off any dead tissue from the toes, to remove the threat of gangrene. After six weeks the toes healed. It took them about a year to regain complete feeling in them, and he will always have to be careful not to freeze them again, but the physical therapy saved his toes from being amputated. Imagine the feeling of accomplishment you would have if you were the physical therapist! Imagine being able to do those kinds of things for people every day, and getting paid very well for it. This could be your career as a physical therapist.
Another rewarding option would be to work a pediatric physical therapist. You would be working with children who need your services. For example some disabled children would require your assistance in learning to walk. The therapist is trained in teaching the child and assisting them with exercises that will strengthen the required muscles, as well as improve balance and coordination. You might also help children recover from injuries or from surgeries after an illness. You might travel to third world countries and assist bringing back to health children who are suffering from malnutrition or other ailments. There are literally thousands of ways to serve humanity.
Other physical therapists work with geriatrics. Studies have shown that the elderly can benefit tremendously from physical exercise. Some have even been assisted by therapists in learning proper techniques for weigh lifting to improve strength and muscle tone. By strengthening their muscles they can remain active and vigorous, and overall enjoy a much higher quality of life, when they would have otherwise been sedentary and dysfunctional.
Some Physical Therapists are hired to serve with the training and coaching staffs of professional or college sports teams. They work with the athletes to improve their performance, or to help rehabilitate injured body parts. They are even used on the Olympic teams, to help athletes achieve their maximum performance potential.
Becoming a physical therapist is not quite as difficult as becoming a medical doctor. And it usually isn't as high paying. But it is an excellent alternative for the student who does not have straight A's such as is often expected of the candidate contemplating medical school, but who still has good grades, is intelligent, and has high ambitions. It is a necessary service that is an excellent complimentary profession to work alongside the medical doctor. It doesn't take as long, and it doesn't pay quite as well. But it still requires a high degree of education, dedication and professionalism, and it is still a very high paying job. Most of all it is highly rewarding in the sense of personal satisfaction you will feel at the end of each day, knowing you have helped so many people to become healthier than they would otherwise be. Maybe this exciting career path would be right for you!
