Physical Therapy Barrier

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.

As an aspiring physical therapist, I believe that compassion must be utilized towards patients that require our services. It is vital to incorporate the understanding of patients’ sensitivities and motivate them to improve their mobility and their lives, regardless of constraints of time and frequency. For example, I have witnessed differences in longer-term rehabilitation sessions versus the shorter spurts of outpatient settings. For a physical therapist, consistent sessions provide greater opportunity to foster camaraderie with

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.

The standard scope of practice of a Doctor of Physical Therapy consists of providing exercises and services that “prevent, minimize, or eliminate impairments of body functions and structures, activity limitations, and participation restrictions” as well as creating goals that will guide my patient to better mobility (The Physical Therapy, 2015). Physical therapy is a dynamic form of health care that focuses on rehabilitation, risk-prevention exercises, and performance

The purpose of this research study is to determine through statistical evidence that physical therapist do or do not play a major role in helping patients with chronic diseases.

My first experience observing a physical therapist, commenced in the summer of 2014. At the time, I was given the opportunity to observe a physical therapist named Jennifer Moreland. Throughout my time observing her, I began to recognize she was not just a physical therapist with her patients. Many times, she took on the role of a consoler, cheerleader, friend and supporter for her patients. Reflecting back on this, I am able to see that the primary reason she has succeeded as a physical therapist; is due to her amiable, encouraging and empathetic nature. These character traits have allowed her to do more than heal patients' musculoskeletal problems. She has also been able to heal hearts, souls and minds by cheering, supporting, listening

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

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

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.

I have been through countless obstacles that aided in the forming of my character, however there was a more recent bump in the road that truly made me the person I am today.

Although most therapist are aware of their patients psychological factors, applying psychological knowledge into the physical therapy field can be quite challenging. Therapist apply their psychological knowledge by setting goals for their patients, providing reassurance, and speaking on the functional consequences of pain. The challenging aspect of applying this knowledge correctly and adequately is the lack of tools and knowledge to do so. According to (Linton, 2011) 63% of physical therapist in a primary

A well thought-out routine is more likely to ease the patient make them feel comfortable, often speeds up the process of treatments. Physical disability often involves loss or reduction in one or more abilities. While a Physical Therapist works with patients in an attempt to recover some of these functions. Thus, “The best part of being a PT is seeing someone improve their life because of the help that I’ve Provided.”(Harasymiw pg.58). Additionally, a motivating and humble perspective can help give patients gain confidence they need to begin

Its another day just like any other. You’re on your way to work, school or to hang out with family and friends then the unexpected hits you. Or maybe you hit that vehicle in your blind spot. Sometimes an injury can be way more serious when the impact is great enough. It could take up to years to fully recover from a neck or spinal injury but there is always hope. Physical therapy is this hope for those who might have thought they’d never get their bodies to perform and function how it did before. From a fractured wrist, to a stroke patient, consistently working with a physical therapist can guarantee ones improvement with something that might have seemed impossible on their own. Treatment plans are designed for each person’s individual goals, challenges, and needs. Although sometimes a slow, grueling process of healing, the results are more than worth it. Personally seeing this process in action at the CORA rehabilitation center I volunteer at is what drew me to this profession. The positive, encouraging energy from Physical therapists and PTA's in addition to the unwavering effort from patients to achieve goals is inspiring. There are many ways physical therapy can improve one’s lifestyle. Not only can physical therapy help those involved in accidents that needed surgery, it can help people afflicted with heart or lung disease, even age related issues that may seem incurable such as joint failure and arthritis.

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