A Rewarding Career in Physical Therapy

by Alex A. Kecskes

A career in physical therapy has many rewards. You will be helping individuals who suffer from medical problems or other health-related conditions or injuries overcome their inability to move and perform everyday activities. As a licensed healthcare professional, you'll use various treatment techniques to reduce pain, restore mobility, and prevent disability. You'll also work proactively with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing special fitness and wellness programs.



Physical therapists address a wide variety of work and sports related injuries. Among these are problems like sprains/strains and fractures, back and neck injuries, arthritis, burns, amputations and stroke. After patients are evaluated and diagnosed with movement dysfunction(s), physical therapists will conduct or supervise such interventions as functional training, therapeutic exercise, and a variety of manual therapy techniques.



Physical therapists can often be found in hospitals and outpatient clinics. While their jobs are often physically demanding as they lift and assist immobile or partially immobile patients, the rewards can be quite gratifying as patients experience the joys of increased mobility and independence.



The American Physical Therapy Association’s accrediting body--the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)--accredits entry-level academic programs in physical therapy. To enter the field, you'll need a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited physical therapy program. In addition, many programs require volunteer experience in the physical therapy department of a hospital or clinic.



As a licensed Physical Therapist, you'll earn a respectable income. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapists earned a mean annual wage of $76,220 in 2009. Earnings can top six figures as you gain experience or specialize.



Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.