Jobs in Physical Therapy

Jobs in physical therapy are expected to continue growing as part of the healthcare field, which is the fastest growing industry in the US. Physical therapy is a type of medical treatment that helps lessen the pain and regain a person’s physical function after a surgery or an injury involving the muscle, nerves, limb, or joints during rehabilitation. A physical therapist understands how the body moves and works so he is also involved in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of diseases or injuries of the musculoskeletal system. This treatment helps restore the physical ability of a person so they can function independently. Their patients come from a wide variety of ages and their conditions range from congenital or developmental problems to traumatic injuries. Their role as therapists is to help improve the physical movement of a person’s body to strengthen weak muscles by exercising and appropriate stretches as they assess how you are able to perform daily activities at home and work.

Physical therapists use modalities like therapeutic massage, exercises, ultrasound, water therapy, and even electric stimulation to increase fitness, flexibility, and muscle strength. This restores range of motion and improves circulation as well as reducing muscle spasm while allowing muscles to move back to their normal position. A common type of physical therapy is geriatric physical therapy. Geriatric physical therapy is popular with the aging population because they specialize in treating osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and arthritis. Orthopedic rehabilitation is a therapy following surgeries involving the bones, joints, or muscles as well as any sports related injuries. Cardiac pulmonary physical therapy on the other hand, focuses on the patient’s recovery from pulmonary surgery to increase his endurance. Last but not least, is a physical therapist specializing in neurological disorders. This specialist treats patients with Parkinson’s, stroke patients, and those who suffered spinal cord or brain injury.

There is a wide array of jobs in physical therapy and opportunities abound around the country. There are many career opportunities in Physical Therapy. You can get your foot in the door as a physical therapists aide and earn approximately $22,000 a year and work your way up to a physical therapists assistant an earn about $40,000 a year. As a certified physical therapist you will be earning a median salary of $66,000 a year. As the duties and pay scale are different in every level; aides and assistants do similar tasks and receive the same training but more often than not, they do need an associate degree and don’t have to be licensed. Their main duties are to help patients with training exercises and to educate them on how to use canes or crutches. The best thing about it is that, physical therapists aides and assistants can work in a variety of settings including rehab facilities, hospitals, or orthopedic clinics. Physical therapists on the other hand have to have a bachelor’s degree and take the doctorate programs. Their education includes training in physiology, anatomy, pathology, clinical practicum, and treatment modalities. They are responsible in evaluating patients, creating treatment plans, monitoring their progress, and support treatment with the help of their aides, and assistants.



As there are increasing number of athletic people and incidents of sports-related injuries, jobs in physical therapy are becoming an in-demand career. As orthopedic surgery becomes common because of the aging population, the country is in need of physical therapists to help patients regain their endurance and range of motion. If you want to work as a physical therapist ask for assistance from your school’s career placement office especially if you’re nearing graduation because they normally have listing of jobs nationwide. Check your local newspaper ads or jobs in physical therapy listings online. You can also mail resumes to the companies and organizations you want to work with other than hospitals and clinics. Do volunteer work so that you will gain experience and be in a position to learn about job openings as they occur. If you have a genuine desire in helping people then this career is for you. Shadow a certified physical therapist for a few days to ensure that this job is what you really want.

You can find more jobs in physical therapy by visiting PhysicalTherapyCrossing.com and by signing up for a risk free trial today to find jobs that are just right for you!