Physical Therapy And Traditional Physical Therapists

Pediatric physical therapists work to help disabled children and their families grow and become stronger every day. For about a century now, doctors have been making a valiant effort to improve the lives of children. Though it is not the most popular practice, pediatric physical therapy is certainly important to the lives of millions. Since the beginning of pediatrics, new discoveries are constantly being made. Pediatric physical therapy has been making ground breaking developments and progressions in all of its elements since it became popular in the 1920’s.

Physical therapy takes a more direct pathway towards a more specific problem with the human body. Physical therapy is a rehabilitation that works towards a goal of helping patients maintain, improve, or recover their physical abilities, most often times after an accident causing traumatic injury or arthritis (Mayo School of Health Sciences). Patients of a physical therapist often come in solely for the purpose of regaining their movement, not the health aspect involved behind it. Most patients of this therapist have suffered sports injuries, traumatic accidents, over even simply a problem of weakening with age such as those who suffer arthritis or other weakening of the joints and muscles. With step by step sessions focusing purely on strengthening the muscles and joints required to perform the movement functions, the patients rebuild their way from movement with pain, to no pain or suffering involved in everyday activities. When a patient begins therapy, they more or less begin with baby steps such as stretches and hydrotherapy to allow the body to relearn the movements without pain (What is Physical Therapy?). As the patient increases in strength

In order to be successful in the profession as a physical therapist there are several prerequisites a person has to accomplish. One of the first prerequisites to become a physical therapist is you must graduate from a physical therapist educational program and obtain a master or doctoral degree. The master's degree programs for physical therapy typically are two to two and a half years in length, while doctoral degree programs usually last 3 years. In addition to classroom and laboratory instruction, students will complete supervised clinical experience to get a feel of the work environment. The coursework will include physics, biology and chemistry. Other additional coursework included during the physical therapy program is therapeutic procedures, biomechanics, examination techniques, human development, manifestations of disease, and neuroanatomy. You can specialize in one of those certain topics, which will concentrate more on a certain area. Students must also obtain a license in order to practice physical therapy. A license can be obtained by

Colleges with a medical department often have a master’s program for physical therapy. (“Physical Therapists”) Physical therapy students have a required amount of field work in order to complete a program. Each candidate must work in an accredited workplace for the field work assignments. This part of the program is extremely valuable and helpful for a new therapist entering the field. Working one on one can be difficult even with all of the educational tools. (Curtis 37)

There are several grey areas between physical therapy and occupational therapy. While both occupations focus on physical functions of the anatomy, their intentions vary. An occupational therapist’s mission is to improve physical functions so a person can work or participate in daily life. A physical therapist is tasked with diagnosing and treating physical ailments or injuries. The relationship between physical therapists and occupational therapists shows common characteristics, however; they are different in many ways. Some differences and similarities are the amount of required education, salary, licensing, and job duties.

The article that I chose was published by Mayo Clinic School of Health Science, the title of the article is “Physical Therapy”. The article informs the reader on the roles, goals, as well as the overall definition of a physical therapist. According to the article, “Physical therapists (PTs) work with patients who have impairments, limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease or other causes.” Therefore, a physical therapist works directly with the population that has a form of impairment in their movement, whether it is from an injury or an illness. The roles of a physical therapist are examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis

The day-to-day writing in the field of Physical Therapy varies depending on the audience. The audience determines the purpose of the writing and writing style. Physical Therapists (PT) use evidence-based exercises and activities to rehabilitate their patients in order for them to reach their unique goal. Since PT’s work with both medical professionals and patients, they must adjust their writing to be able to communicate effectively. PT’s are just one of the many people in the medical field that may work with a particular patient so it is important that the communication between the different layers of the medical field are precise and clear. Writing to a patient is also important because they are the person who is being directly affected

Predominantly, a physical therapist must be compassionate and caring. My family members and I are accustomed to taking care of one another, regardless of the age or circumstance. Along with these age differences come different opinions; because of this, at a very young age, I quickly understood the meaning of empathy. I have become accustomed to practicing compassion at home, that it has now become second nature to me.

I am the physical therapy team leader at a pediatric outpatient physical and occupational therapy clinic. This clinic evaluates and treats children between the ages of birth and 21 years with a variety of conditions, including, but not limited to: developmental delays, orthopedic and neurological conditions, brachial plexus injuries, torticollis and plagiocephaly, and autism spectrum disorders. Occasionally, the therapists will evaluate and treat an adult patient with developmental disabilities. The clinic is open five days per week with four occupational therapists, three physical therapists, one physical therapist assistant, and a Spanish-speaking interpreter. As the physical therapy team leader, I work with the occupational therapy team leader to suggest, establish, and implement new programs at the clinic, under the direction of the therapy manager.

In many Physical Therapist clinics, you would see balls and these things will help children learn how to do more stuff independently. The number of times a child will need therapy depends on how fast the improve and are able to do the stuff independently it is all based on the IEP or IFSP meetings. The child's health insurance might also have a factor in how long they can be in therapy. There are a lot more roles and responsibilities but

Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists assist with selecting, fitting, adapting and training children and families in the use of orthotics (splints), prosthetics (artificial limbs) and special equipment (walkers, crutches, wheelchairs) to compensate for difficulties with movement. PTs and OTs also modify exercises and activities for home, school and community enabling each child to participate more fully in life’s experiences.

A person might go to a physical therapist for multiple reasons. Anyone of any age group could go to physical therapy, from a child to a senior. While older people often go when they age to help with things like weakness and muscle loss, a younger person might go because of an orthopedic injury. Then there are patients with more tragic stories, like perhaps they were involved in a car accident. At a physical therapy session, you could find anyone from someone with an amputated limb to someone recovering from a surgery, and each patient has their own story to tell. Depending on their condition, the treatment they would receive in a physical therapy session would differ.

An abundance of physical therapists will continue to be needed in the medical field because of the continuous rate of injuries. Physical therapists treat injury or medical problems that limit a patient’s ability to function in everyday life. Physical therapist treat patients of all ages and promote interactions with patients, family, caregivers and other health professionals. Most people have been through physical therapy or will go through physical therapy sometime in their lives. Participating in physical therapy without a physician’s approval is called direct access. The factors that contribute to the importance of direct access include many entities such as the the regulation of medical services on the state and federal level, the cost of services to the consumers, and the level of control held by the patient. A physician referral can be helpful and hurtful to a patient. The removal of these referrals has caused some opposition between doctors, physical therapists, and patients. Although direct access is legal in forty-eight of the fifty states, the topic still remains controversial throughout the United States and other countries.

Physical therapy is always changing, evolving, improving, and becoming more effective (Scott). The way it is now is much improved from what

School-based physical therapists (PTs) are involved in various aspects of students’ daily activities, enabling them to participate in and have access to educational activities and facilities. Consequently, safe physical management, lifting, and transfers are key areas of PTs’ participation, support, and instruction for educational teams and students. While knowledge of safe handling strategies and good body mechanics are important for school-based PTs there is no specific resource for children in the educational