What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical practice that helps those with injuries, diseases, and other physical limitations move and function better, as well as manage pain, through various treatments. The overall goal of physical therapy is to improve the life of the patient. Reaching that goal may involve the use of exercise, manipulation, manual therapy, electrophysical modalities, devices, and medication. The origins of physical therapy date back to the time of the famous Greek physician Hippocrates , who used hydrotherapy to help people with skin, joint, and muscle problems.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in physical therapy?

Anyone who is interested in a career in physical therapy and related practices should be interested in helping others better themselves. You should be able to maintain a positive attitude, even through trying circumstances, and you should be an excellent communicator. It's also important to be a keen observer and pay close attention to detail. You'll need to be physically strong as well, since the job sometimes requires you to lift and hold patients who can't stand on their own.

Why learn physical therapy?

Learning about physical therapy can lead to an exciting career as a physical therapist. Physical therapists who enter this profession can help patients in private offices, hospitals, hospice facilities, nursing homes, home health care, schools, and rehab clinics. They may also open their own practices. Even if you don't want to pursue a career in the field, learning about physical therapy can help you better understand your own body. You'll discover new ways to stay physically healthy.

What are some typical careers that use physical therapy?

Most people who study physical therapy become physical therapists. However, there are several other options in this area. You may go on to become an athletic trainer for sports teams or a chiropractor with your own practice. You can become a personal trainer, exercise instructor, or exercise physiologist. Some people who study physical therapy go on to explore other therapeutic careers, such as speech, recreational, or occupational therapy. You can use your education as the basis for a career as a physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or audiologist too.

What are the benefits of taking an online Physical Therapy course?

Online Physical Therapy courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Physical Therapy skills. Choose from a wide range of Physical Therapy courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

Top Physical Therapy Courses - Learn Physical Therapy Online

Status: Free

Princeton University

Imagining Other Earths

Skills you'll gain: Biology, Biochemistry, Physics, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Scientific Methods, Research, Image Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Systems Of Measurement

Status: Free Trial

L&T EduTech

Fire and Life Safety Systems

Skills you'll gain: Fire And Life Safety, Building Codes, Pump Stations, Blueprint Reading, Process Flow Diagrams, Construction, Safety Training, Hydraulics, Construction Inspection, Safety Assurance, Plumbing, Building Design, Electrical Systems, Engineering Drawings, System Requirements, Safety and Security, Facility Management and Maintenance, Structural Analysis, Threat Detection, Water Resources

Status: Free Trial

University of Leeds

Financing and Initiating Major Engineering Projects

Skills you'll gain: Engineering Management, Project Finance, Project Management, Stakeholder Management, Contract Management, Financial Analysis, Project Implementation, Return On Investment, Cost Benefit Analysis, Feasibility Studies, Governance, Risk Management, Procurement

Status: Free

Coursera Project Network

FEM - Linear, Nonlinear Analysis & Post-Processing

Skills you'll gain: Finite Element Methods, Engineering Analysis, Simulation and Simulation Software, Engineering Calculations, Mathematical Modeling, Structural Analysis

Status: Free

University of Pennsylvania

Calculus: Single Variable Part 2 - Differentiation

Skills you'll gain: Calculus, Applied Mathematics, Derivatives, Engineering Calculations, Advanced Mathematics, Economics

Status: New

Coursera Instructor Network

Avionics and Aircraft Systems: Fundamentals

Skills you'll gain: Basic Electrical Systems, Maintenance, Repair, and Facility Services, Electronics, Control Systems, Electronic Systems, Electronic Components, Electrical Systems, Safety Assurance, Human Factors, Hardware Troubleshooting, Electric Power Systems, Display Devices, Digital Communications

Status: Free Trial

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Violencias por razones de género

Skills you'll gain: Diversity Awareness, Social Justice, Sociology, Conflict Management, Culture, Cultural Sensitivity, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Sustentabilidad: los desafíos desde Latinoamérica

Skills you'll gain: Environment, Socioeconomics, Environmental Issue, Social Justice, Environmental Resource Management, Natural Resource Management, Systems Thinking, Social Sciences, Biology, Community Development, Cultural Diversity

Status: Free Trial

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Definición y Medición

Skills you'll gain: Process Capability, Process Mapping, Lean Methodologies, Value Engineering, Process Improvement, Six Sigma Methodology, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Problem Management, Statistical Analysis, Data Collection, Project Management, Root Cause Analysis

American Museum of Natural History

Dinosaurs: Evolution, Extinction, and Paleobiology

Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Biology, Environment, Taxonomy, Laboratory Research, Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Estimation, Research, Research Methodologies, Environmental Science, Chemistry

University of Copenhagen

Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions

Skills you'll gain: Public Health, Health Policy, Community Development, Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Demography, Environmental Issue, Innovation, Pollution Prevention, Environment, Geriatrics, Sociology

Status: Free Trial

Rice University

Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity

Skills you'll gain: Biology, Microbiology, Life Sciences, Environmental Science, Anatomy, Molecular Biology, Taxonomy

Physical Therapy Courses Online

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