Accidents, illnesses and injuries are complex events that happen unexpectedly. If you consider cause and effect, it makes sense that the path to recovery would be as equally complex as the cause of the problem. Physical therapy is a key component for patients who are in the process of recovering from such an event. Physical therapists must help guide their patients towards a successful recovery by creating and maintain strength training programs, and setting goals over an extended period of time for regaining physical elements such as endurance, balance and coordination. Physical therapy sounds simple, but it’s made up of many essential parts that must work together in order to be a successful form of recovery.
What training is required to become a physical therapist?
Physical therapy deals with all major functions of the body, including the skeletal and muscle systems, and requires specialized training in order to be pursued as a career. Physical therapists, much like chiropractors, must complete a collegiate level degree in the field which most often requires a certain number of clinical. In order to practice physical therapy, a therapist must apply for a license in the state he or she would like to become employed. In the event a physical therapist wants to work in another state, he or she would have to re-apply for silencing.
What types of services are included in physical therapy?
When looking for a quality physical therapy rehabilitation program, or therapist, it’s important that the program provide for a variety of service and facilities. Physical therapy in particular requires a number of services that therapists should be trained in. These may possibly include: soft tissue mobilization, palliative therapy, neuromuscular re-education and tissue de-sensitization, just to name a few.
This extensive list of skills sets and procedures calls for physical therapists to be individuals who enjoy multi-tasking, are natural problem solvers, and possess a great amount of patience. Not only are physical therapists required to work with patients over long periods of time at a rather slow pace, but physical therapy in general is most successful in a rehabilitation setting when utilized in cooperation with other therapies. Additional therapies that may be effective when used with physical therapy include chiropractic adjustments and alignments as well as acupuncture therapy. Combining therapies that focus on physical, emotional and mental recovery makes for an efficient and balanced rehabilitation program, no matter what accident, illness or injury a patient is emerging from.
