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Facts About Physical Therapy | PT Practice Includes

Facts About Physical Therapy

Practice Settings 
Physical therapists practice in all healthcare settings including, but not limited to, hospitals, private practice offices, schools, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, fitness centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, and universities.

Patient Populations 
Physical therapists work with individuals with a variety of disorders and diagnoses across the life-span from neonates to the elderly. These include patients or clients with impairments of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary and integumentary systems. For example, physical therapists may work with patients who have the following diagnoses: stroke, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, brain/head injury, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, injuries to bone, muscle or ligaments, diabetes mellitus, amputation and skin disorders.

Educational Requirements 
Physical Therapists enter the field with a post-baccalaureate degree; that is, they receive a baccalaureate degree and then continue their professional education and preparation at the graduate level.

Job Market 
There are many employment opportunities for physical therapists in a wide variety of practice settings as identified above. With anticipated demographic changes there is expected to be an even greater demand for physical therapists as the U.S. population grows and ages. In addition to the settings where physical therapists have traditionally been employed, today physical therapists are also moving into many new and expanding areas of practice such as geriatric wellness, women's health, workplace ergonomics and fitness, and complementary/alternative therapies, to name a few.

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Physical Therapy Practice Includes:

Performing patient examinations and evaluations to determine the diagnosis, prognosis and interventions needed to address impairments, functional limitations, or disability. Physical therapy examinations may include, but are not limited to, tests and measures for assessment of muscle strength, endurance, balance, neuromuscular development, sensory status, joint mobility, work site ergonomics, neurological function, gait pattern, muscle tone, posture, and functional skill level.

Developing plans for intervention to help patients achieve their functional goals. Interventions may include, but are not limited to, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular reeducation, joint mobilization, use of thermal agents and electrical stimulation, massage, gate training, patient education and functional skill training.

Helping patients make lifestyle changes to prevent disease and to improve their overall health, wellness, and fitness.

Educating patients about the nature of their disorder and teaching patients the life skills necessary to achieve their functional and health goals.

Guiding individuals who have suffered an injury or illness toward their life goals or helping them to identify new functional goals that are consistent with their ability. Advocating for the patient and their family members or caregivers to ensure that the rehabilitation and health needs of individuals who are in our care are met.

Consulting with other health care professionals and agencies to ensure that patients have access to the resources necessary to achieve their rehabilitation and health-related goals.

Evaluating existing theory and clinical research and using scientific evidence and theory to enhance professional knowledge and clinical practice in physical therapy.

Providing leadership and fostering inter-professional collaboration in dynamic, evolving and challenging health care systems and environments.

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Admission Process

College of Graduate Studies

Future CMU Students

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