Physical therapists diagnose and treat movement dysfunctions and injuries. They develop treatment plans using exercises, hands-on therapy, and equipment. Physical therapy has evolved significantly since ancient Greece. The field is growing rapidly due to an aging population and increased healthcare needs. Physical therapists work in various settings and have a median salary of $79,860. Becoming a physical therapist requires a doctorate degree from an accredited program, which typically takes 3 years and includes clinical experience.

1. Physical Therapy
Logan Martin
HLTH 419
1/27/15

2. Introduction: What does a
physical therapist do?
 Review patients’ medical history and any referrals or
notes from doctors or surgeons
 Diagnose patients’ dysfunctional movements
 Set up a plan of care for patients. This includes the
workouts, time-frame, and goals. They later evaluate
and adjust this plan
 Use exercises, hands-on therapy, and equipment to
increase mobility, PREVENT further pain or injury, and
facilitate health and wellness.
 Educate patients and their families about what to expect
from and how best to cope with the recovery process
 Physical therapists provide care to people of all ages and
for injuries in many forms

3. History
 PT dates back to Greek culture and Hippocrates’ influence
as the father of Western medicine.
 In Europe during the 1500s – 1700s, the use of exercise to
treat muscle and bone disorders and disabilities continued
to progress. During the 1920s it gained public
recognition and validation.
 The polio epidemic, WWI, and WWII required the
attention of physical therapists for those wounded
and affected. In 1946, Congress adopted the Hill
Burton Act to build hospitals across the country to
increase public access to health care facilities.
 By 1959, state regulations for the physical therapist
existed in 45 states.

4. History Cont.
 Physical therapy practices in the neuromuscular area
expanded significantly during the 1960s, with
development of techniques for adults with stroke,
cerebral palsy, and other disorders of the central
nervous system.
 Technological advances have provided new testing
methodologies and new intervention methodologies that
have expanded practice and the types of diseases and
conditions that physical therapy can positively influence.

5. Salary
 The median annual wage for physical therapists was
$79,860 in May 2012. lowest 10 percent earned less than
$55,620, and the top 10 percent earned more than
$112,020.

6. http://physical-therapy.advanceweb.com/Archives/Article-
Archives/Revealing-the-Results.aspx

7. Job Outlook
 At an impressing rate, employment of physical therapists
is projected to grow 36 percent from 2012 to 2022.
 The rapidly growing elderly population is particularly
vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that
require therapeutic services. Also, the baby boom
generation is entering the prime age for heart attacks
and strokes, increasing the need for cardiac and physical
rehabilitation.

8. Environment
 There is a large variety of work environments
-school system
-offices
-hospital
-nursing homes
-physicians office
-sports teams
Most physical therapists work full time. About 1 in 4 worked
part time in 2012. Although most therapists work during
normal business hours, some may work evenings or weekends.

9. Education
 In 2013, there were 218 programs for physical therapists accredited
by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education,
all of which offered a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.
 DPT programs typically last 3 years.
 Some main classes you need and that I believe are important are
anatomy, physiology, biology, some psychology, chemistry, and
physics. I have taken all of these classes, with the addition of other
relevant course work and average an A in them all.
 Physical therapist programs often include courses in biomechanics,
anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, and pharmacology. Physical
therapist students also complete clinical internships, during which
they gain supervised experience in areas such as acute care and
orthopedic care.
 Physical therapists may apply to and complete a clinical residency
program after graduation. Residencies typically last about 1 year
and provide additional training and experience in specialty areas of
care.

10.  Educating physical
therapists since 1973,
MUSC is working in state-
of-the-art teaching facility
and in concert with our
world-class teaching
hospital, students engage in
interprofessional groups that
mirror the world beyond our
classrooms.
 The college houses
the Center for Rehabilitation
Research in Neurological
Conditions with a
concentration in two areas:
1) neuro-rehabilitation and
2) risk assessment and
prevention of adverse health
outcomes.
There are many schools I’m
looking at when thinking about
going to PT school, but the Medical
University of South Carolina is at
the top of the list.
• This university is located in
Charleston, SC and takes about
64 students a year and the
average gpa for those students
admitted is a 3.6.

11. O*Net Profiler Results
 Realistic: 9
 Investigative: 9
 Artistic: 12
 Social: 29
 Enterprising: 14
 Conventional: 6
 People with Social interests like work activities that assist others and
promote learning and personal development. They prefer to
communicate more than to work with objects, machines, or data. They
like to teach, to give advice, to help, or otherwise be of service to
people.
 People with Enterprising interests like work activities that have to do
with starting up and carrying out projects, especially business ventures.
They like persuading and leading people and making decisions. They like
taking risks for profit. These people prefer action rather than thought.

12. Why ME???
 As shown through my profiler results I love talking to
people and I love interacting daily.
 I feel like I am a good leader and do well pushing people
towards their goals (maybe it would even motivate me).
 I am okay with being on my feet all day and I love all the
aspects I could pursue with PT; athletics, pediatrics,
geriatric, in-patient, out-patient, ect.
 Designing programs and routines for patients is something
that I would be good at because I could cater to the
individual and really have a heart for others.
 I have the drive, attitude, experience, and knowledge to get
me through graduate school and succeed as a physical
therapist
 My role as an athletic trainer has helped me greatly with
time management and has allowed me to experience things
most students never will. That along with all my leadership
roles on campus and outstanding performance in the
classroom makes me a great fit for MUSC’s program.

13. Conclusion:
What is the take home message???
 The field of physical therapy encompasses many aspects
of health and can involve many specialties.
 Physical therapy is a field that is constantly adapting and
changing.
 There are many different environments in which to serve
as a physical therapist, but it takes a lot of hard work to
get there.
 Success in a physical therapy education program, and as
a physical therapist, requires excellent observation,
compassion, communication, motor and sensory skills. I
believe my traits would allow me to be a good physical
therapist.

14. References
 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-
therapists.htm#tab-2
 http://www.onetcenter.org/dl_tools/IP_zips/IP-Instr-
deskv.pdf
 http://www.onetcenter.org/dl_tools/IP_zips/IP-SR-deskp.pdf
 http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/chp/pt/details.htm
 http://physical-therapy.advanceweb.com/Archives/Article-
Archives/Revealing-the-Results.aspx
 http://www.network-synergy.com/news/the-history-of-physical-
therapy.aspx
 http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/chp/pt/details.htm