Physical Therapy - Schools and Salaries

A career in physical therapy is all about getting patients back on their feet, and physical therapy schools are the place to start. Whether you are rehabilitating people to recover from a surgery, to return to a sports competition, or to go back to work, these schools train professionals to become well versed in the numerous complexities of the body, as well as specialized knowledge and techniques that facilitate recovery from an injury.

One of the most important aspects of therapy schools is the scope of the education. A number of programs require a doctorate, and while there are a few therapy schools that still offer master's degrees, the trend is heading towards a mandatory doctorate. The coursework in therapy schools include biomechanics, physiology, anatomy, and even some physics. Clinical classes teach students how to undertake examination techniques, tests, and treatments among other protocols.

Therapy schools not only instruct students on how to heal the body after trauma, but also how to prevent further injuries. The ability to create exercise routines, predict possible future relapses, and accurately diagnose the source of discomfort and pain are essential components of therapy education. Techniques involving ultrasound, hot and cold compresses, and electrical stimulation are also part of the curriculum. While a number of physical therapists maintain a general practice, there is also the opportunity to specialize in niches such as geriatrics, sports medicine, and pediatrics among others.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic, graduates of schools for physical therapists tend to work in clinics or hospitals; however, the potential for self employment or private practice is an appealing factor for a number of physical therapists in training. A forty-hour week is the norm. It is however, common for physical therapists to have to work on weekends or in the evenings, as well as travel to provide on-site care. They can usually work this into their schedules.

A career in physical therapy is lucrative; starting salaries are in the range of fifty to fifty five thousand U.S. dollars and salaries of experienced professionals may go as high as ninety thousand dollars. Ultimately, you have to be passionate about helping people in order to develop a successful career as a physical therapist. Most of the interactions in this line of work are one-on-one and extend over months at a time of routine visits. Therefore, if you are not comfortable with an intimate clinic or outpatient facility setting, no amount of training in schools for physical therapists is going to prepare you for that crucial connection that you will need to successfully treat your patients; that education only comes from the inside.

In order for you to get the best therapy school, you need to carry out painstaking research. Through extensive research, you will know the specialization that you should pursue as a physical therapist. This research will also assist you in knowing what the law requires and what the market demands from you. In addition to that, it will guide you to a list of prospective schools and the requirements that each school has, as well as the schools; training background among other things. This information is easily accessible on websites. Moreover, you can obtain referrals from family, friends, or previous students of these schools.

You should find out the physical therapy courses that are available for you. It is advisable to ensure that you specialize in a course that will make it easy for you to get employment. Some of the courses available at these schools include geriatric, pediatric, and orthopedic therapy among others. Specializing in the most suitable field for you will ensure a fruitful and lucrative career.