Physical Therapy Essay Example For Students

Physical Therapy Essay The physical therapists of today do much more than restore function to traumatized limbs. They work with children to overcome crippling birth defects and with stroke victims to restore movement and independent living. For post-operative patients, they are the link in the health care team that speeds successful recovery Physical therapists prevent and treat athletic injuries, teach special exercises and body mechanics to ease low back pain and plan treatment programs to reduce pain and improve motion in arthritic joints. The role of Physical Therapy Essay in present-day health care has become significant in the concept of total patient management. Because of advancements made, and improved research in treatments and techniques using scientific methodology, an ever-increasing variety of conditions are being seen for consultation by a physical therapist. We will write a custom essay on Physical Therapy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Physical therapists can apply their skills in most disciplines in medicine including neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, general surgery, family practice, pediatrics, geriatrics, rheumatology, internal medicine, cardiovascular medicine, cardiopulmonary medicine, psychiatry, and sports medicine The American Physical Therapy Association describes physical therapy as a form of health care that prevents, identifies, corrects, and alleviates acute or prolonged movement dysfunction of anatomic or physiologic origin. The primary objective of physical therapy is to promote optimum human health and function. Working always in conjunction with physicians, they are valuable members of the health care team, trained to improve movement and function, relieve pain and expand mobility potential. Through evaluation and programs of treatment Physical Therapists can help existing problems and provide preventive health care for people and children with a variety of needs. Physical therapy is a fun and exciting healthcare profession that helps people with many types of medical afflictions. Although the profession is relatively new, physical therapy initially began during World War I with the work done by restorative aides. The profession has grown over the years and therapists can now specialize in pediatrics, sports medicine, neurology, home health, geriatrics, orthopedics, aquatic therapy, wound care, electrotherapy, occupational health, womens health, acute care, education, administration, research and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Physical therapists today will often work in a variety of settings at hospitals, nursing homes, schools, outpatient clinics, fitness facilities, the home environment and at many industrial companies. A physical therapist will evaluate and treat those with musculoskeletal disorders, neurological dysfunctions and those with other types of disease, injury or illness. Manual therapy, joint mobilization, myofascial release and neurodevelopmental(NDT) techniques are only some of the special skills used by therapists to treat patients to help lessen disability, pain and improve overall function and quality of life. Therapists use special equipment called modalities when treating patients which help aid in the healing and recovery of an injury. Electrical stimulation, hot packs, cold packs, infrared and ultrasound are only some of the modalities one may require during a treatment session with a physical therapist. As part of treatment and the rehabilitation process, a physical therapist will often stretch, strengthen, facilitate muscles, challenge balance, test coordination abilities, teach home exercise programs and enhance basic mobility skills. The physical therapy assistant helps the physical therapist with patient treatment programs. Rehabilitation is not done solely by the physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, but by the team efforts of many health professionals. Physical therapists will coordinate treatment plans with doctors, nurses, social workers and occupational therapists just to name a few. This multidisciplinary approach helps achieve patient goals and individual treatment outcomes as quickly and as effectively as possible. Occupational therapy is another allied health field closely associated with physical therapy. While occupational therapy generally concentrates on activities of daily living, the ability to dress, cook, clean and manage safely in the home environment, physical therapy will focus on basic gross mobility skills such as getting out of bed, walking safely with crutches or a walker, moving specific joints and strengthening specific muscles the body. Both fields overlap somewhat as both provide special splints, hand/upper extremity (arm) therapy, and work hardening/work conditioning programs. Both professions also aim to reduce pain, restore function, and promote as much independence as possible. The practice of physical therapy and occupational therapy vary from place to place and if physical therapy around the globe is explored, one may find slight variations in the practice of physical therapy within different countries. To learn . Physical Therapy Essay Example For Students Physical Therapy Essay My prior experiences with sports medicine made it a top choice for a career. After numerous injuries to my knees and ankles, my doctor scheduled me to see a top sports physician. The rigorous exercise program that he helped me through put me on the fast track to recovery. The power to positively impact a persons future is a gift that not many people have, but these physicians do. I wish to be a part of these few who help so many. Although a seemingly exciting career, there were still many things that I needed to know before making a leap and proclaiming it my future career. For example, How does it pay? or What kind of hours would I be looking at? came to mind. Other questions, such as, What schooling in required? and How did the future look? also baffled me. Still another aspect perplexed me: Is the work rewarding? These questions, and more, would be answered later. We will write a custom essay on Physical Therapy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The search for these answers was a long and mysterious trek through cyberspace. Entering the computer lab at 12:10 p. m. on Monday, February 16th, and after hearing the teachers instructions, I began my journey into the world of Physical Therapy Essay. First, after taking a career choice test, I was given information about funeral directors. That didnt matter, I was looking for sports medicine. The first day ended up being a total waste of time. The next day I strolled into the lab and found that my computer was broken. I ended up at a different seat and began my search. Then I found it: a gold mine of information. The three sites listed later offered me all that I could possible want to know about my chosen profession. The search had come to an end. Through this search, I have decided that physical therapy is the job for me. Great hours, exceptional pay, extraordinary working conditions and increasing demand for the profession were some of my conclusions from the research. Hours, for example, are nine to five and could possible include weekends. Pay, for another example, is in the forty-five to sixty thousand dollar range and is increasing.1 The working conditions include hospitals and even private clinics. The future for the field of physical therapy is a bright one. More and more people are becoming disabled and the need for therapists rises with them. Schooling is fairly simple for physical therapy. A masters degree and several hours of on the job training are what is required. After that work should come to those with the training.2 Physical therapy is a growing occupation that requires skilled employees.3 The chance to help others who have had the same problems as I, is a chance that I will like to take. Although I have chosen it as a top career idea, there are still questions that must be asked before I take the step into the unknown. After these questions are answered I will try to do everything in my power to prepare for this career. .