Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy

PTs are professionals who evaluate and treat people of all ages with movement dysfunction and other health problems resulting from injury and/or disease. They assess joint motion, muscle strength, and other body functions and structures. The goals of physical therapy include making patients stronger, relieving their pain, helping them regain maximum locomotion, and educating patients on proper health maintenance. Treatments include therapeutic exercise, cardiovascular endurance training, and training in activities of daily living. PTs are employed in hospitals, private offices, community centers, industrial health centers, sports facilities, nursing homes, schools, research institutions, or in education. PTs are also often working with other health care professionals, such as physicians, occupational therapists, nurses, mental health professionals, and speech pathologists and audiologists.

Some PTs treat a wide range of ailments, while others specialize in a certain area. Specializations can include such areas as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology, and cardiopulmonary PT.

Employment of physical therapists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2008. More than 120,000 PTs practice in the U.S. today. Average annual income is approximately $56,000, depending on location and setting.

Desired Skills and Attributes

Strong interpersonal skills are necessary to successfully educate patients about their PT treatments. As with other medical professions, physical therapists, should also be compassionate and possess a desire to help patients. Often, these same traits will also be needed to interact effectively with patients' families.

Recommended Undergraduate Preparation

Those interested in PT should work towards excellent undergraduate preparation in the biological, physical, and social sciences. A strong liberal arts education that encourages intellectual discovery and enhances maturity is ideal preparation for physical therapy. Many majors can be tailored to meet the prerequisites of physical therapy programs.

Education and Training

There are 189 accredited PT programs. The Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) is now offered by 42 institutions. The DPT is expected to be the degree of choice for practitioners by 2020. All states require PT's to pass a licensure exam after graduating from an accredited physical therapy program. Physical therapists are expected to continue their development throughout their careers by participating in continuing education workshops and courses. Many states require continuing education to maintain licensure.

The Application Process

Application deadlines vary from November of the year prior to matriculation to February. Most programs require a bachelor's, while a few encourage students to apply after only two years of college level work. Most programs require a 3.0 GPA, although competitive GPAs can be higher. Also, programs often require applicants to have some experience in a physical therapy setting, whether it be paid or volunteer. Adult CPR certification is sometimes also required.

Links for More Information

Illinois Wesleyan Contact Person

For more information on physical therapy, contact professor Jon Dey, via email: jdey@titan.iwu.edu, or phone: 556-3057.