My Journey to Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy is a growing profession in the healthcare field. There is a continuous flow of patients who need assistance with recovery and the motivation to finish the task. As with any healthcare profession, physical therapy can be very demanding. Therapists can successfully meet those demands by creating a positive environment, continuously learning and educating others. In addition to possessing these characteristics, my interest in physical therapy comes from my experiences as a collegiate athlete and employee of a therapy clinic/gym.
Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants work one-on-one with patients to reach common short-term and long-term goals. During this time, it is important
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This was continually a learning curve for me as I was presented with new and exciting challenges every day. These experiences have increased my knowledge and my ability to adapt to changing situations throughout my life and will be an asset in becoming a physical therapist assistant.
In addition, a successful therapist is able to educate individuals through recovery by using different methods suitable for each patient. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are educators in the field of therapy and it is their job to make the recovery process as smooth and as enjoyable as possible. We know that all patients are not the same. So, this means that all patients will not process information in the same way. As a recipient of a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, I have learned that individuals learn through four basic learning styles (visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic). It is obvious that visual and kinesthetic senses are used during physical therapy but, at times, individuals need a different approach. Through my teaching and coaching experiences, I have had opportunities to demonstrate how to perform skills or tasks to reach all types of learning styles. This is extremely important for proper education through the rehabilitation process. Being able to explain what I am doing and why I am doing it in ways that patients can understand or relate to will be vital to their success and well-being after
Ever since I was a kid, it has been my life goal to help as many people I can. I have moved around in many different areas of the medical field, but no career had caught my eye as much as physical therapy. As an athlete, I have been in and out of the physical therapist’s office for a majority of my life. Each time I have went I could not help but be beyond grateful for what these people have done for me; they have given me the ability to play the sport I love despite all the hiccups. Physical therapy is a dynamic field within the field of medicine because as a physical therapist one can make a difference in the lives of his or her patients, enjoy job security, and enjoy a rewarding and personally satisfying career.
Reading from the article-“Celebrating a Milestone-35 years of PTAs” published by Michele Wojciechowski on 1 Feb. 2004, I feel proud that I am now in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program. The author has outlined several timelines of achieving status in American Physical Therapy Association and National Assembly also, how PTAs achieved their own value. Even after passionate 2 year associate program, I am disappointed to see that PTA program is no longer a stepping stone for Physical Therapist (PT) program.
Physical Therapy is an active, helpful career. It focuses on rehabilitation to reestablish full function and mobility to the patient. Anyone and everyone can qualify for physical therapy. Patients differ in age and race, and of course, by their illness or injury. The job involves possessing and using knowledge to diagnose the patient and establish a management plan deciding what therapy will benefit and improve the patient’s condition and averaging how long it will take to accomplish.
Congratulations on making it to week eight of PTA 324 Physical Therapy Across Practice Settings! We end this course with a look at professional development of the PTA. We will be discussing ideas for lifelong learning and maintaining clinical competence. By being in this course, you have already shown a commitment to professional development and lifelong learning. As we come to the end of this class, reflect on the self-directed learning that you have achieved and how your professional development has been affected by your research and the interactions with your classmates.
Physical Therapist Assistant is a fascinating career to be in because you will get to handle patients who are recovering from an injury or any health condition patients have. In the field, you work with a team that provide Therapy services and work under the supervision of a Physical Therapist. Assistant’s writes down patient’s status and takes notes after every checkup to see growth. They work with patients from newborns to the elderly. The Assistant educates patients on how to properly stretch and what to do after treatment. Also, they help assist patients in movements and show how to use equipment’s. The main goal for a Physical Therapist Assistant is to reduce pain, prevent another injury, gain flexibility and be
As a PTA I have been given a breath of knowledge in regard to the profession of physical therapy. However, I am not satisfied with this breath of knowledge. I yearn for the opportunity to gain a further understanding in terms of “how and why” physical therapy is successful at restoring function to individuals seeking
I feel so ready to enter the physical therapy field as PTA. I’m proficient with the implementation of patient care, progressing patients within their plan of care and adjusting patient treatment to ensure patient safety. I feel that all the clinical rotations have allowed me to practice what I have learned throughout the PTA program. I need to continue learning and improving my patient
In the words of Field (2007), "physical therapists develop therapies and exercise modalities to help patients ease pain, recover from injuries or illness, or regain use of body parts." The relevance of physical therapy as a health care profession cannot hence be overstated. This is more so the case given that due to injuries, accidents, old age or disabilities; individuals could at some point need intervention designed to alleviate pain, improve mobility or even restore function.
The medical field is expanding ever so rapidly in today’s society. In the field of Physical Therapy one needs to have the understanding of how the human body works and the injuries one body could sustain. I have chosen a career to help others to battle back from life-changing injuries or surgeries. I will take the first step of joining the medical field by obtaining a physical therapist associates degree. I will become a Physical Therapist Assistant.
I believe that my personal and professional growth and behavior as a physical therapist is of utmost importance. I base this firstly on my strong connection to those in society who are disadvantaged when it comes to physical therapy, and also on the movement system, movement being “the key to optimal living and quality of life for all people that extends beyond health to every person’s ability to participate in and contribute to society” (American Physical Therapy Association, 2013). This perspective, I believe, is aligned perfectly with the vision statement for the physical therapy profession – to transform society through optimization of movement to improve the human experience (APTA, 2013). After reviewing the vision statement, I strongly believe it will act as my guide by strengthening compassion, reinforcing advocacy, improving quality of service, and strengthening cohesion.
Physical therapist assistants spend so much time getting to know their patients. Most of the time, patients will need therapy 3 times a week for at least 4 weeks. Seeing patients that often really lets you get to know someone. I love communicating with people and seeing them improve. I work at a physical therapy clinic and see the connection between the therapist and patient. The patient’s want to be there. They like knowing they can get answers from the therapist providing treatment if they need to ask a question
The physical therapy profession is concerned with treating individuals of all ages. In the future, I plan on being able to comfort individuals undergoing physical therapy by being able to use my compassionate nature, caring, understanding, and the expertise that I will gain, while serving as their physical therapist. In doing the previously mentioned things, I hope to be considered as an important asset to society. I believe that people will be able to increase their viability by seeking my assistance.
One of the main goals of a physical therapist is to help their patients recover. To do this, they have to pay close attention
Life can change in a split second when an unanticipated injury or disease hinders someone’s normal daily life. Modern medicine, physicians and families can only do so much but physical therapy can help recoup the life many of us take for granted. It often isn’t until we lose something that we as humans realize what we had such as the value of our body’s ability to take us through each day. A physical therapist is the person who stays with a patient for the duration of the rehabilitation process. A physical therapist leads the patient through the process of regaining physical strength and helps the patient regain control of their future. Much like many careers that involve interaction with individuals, physical therapy reaches beyond
Physical therapists are members of a health care team, specially trained to improve movement and flinction, relieve pain, and expand movement potential. Through evaluation and individualized treatment programs, physical therapists can both treat existing problems and provide preventive health care for people with a variety of needs (Physical Therapy-Improving 1). Physical therapists are very knowledgeable and skillful concerning the human body. Physical therapy is a complex, but rewarding field to pursue as a career. Specialization, working conditions, job outlook, salaries, and education requirements need to be taken into consideration when contemplating a career as a physical therapist.