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Physical Therapy In The US

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Physical therapy is the treatment of different physical issues by using physical methods rather than drugs or surgery. Physical therapy originally began in 1921 as the American Women’s Physical Association. The association was led by President Mary McMillan. An executive committee of elected officers governed the association. The executive committee included 274 charter members. In 1992, they changed their name to the American Physiotherapy Association (APA), and men were admitted. Within the 1930s, APA introduced its first “Code of Ethics”, and membership was just under 1,000. During WWII and the Polio epidemic (1940s-1950s) physical therapists were in high demand. As a result, membership grew to 8,000 and the number of education programs in the US increased from 16 to 39. In the late 40s the APA changed their name to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)…show more content…
In addition, most PT education programs require applicants to earn a bachelor’s degree prior to admission into the professional DPT program. “A few programs recruit all or a portion of students directly from high school into a guaranteed admissions program.” The top 10% of physical therapists make an estimated $116,090, while the bottom 10% makes an estimated $56,800. Furthermore, an average PT salary is about $82,390. The Responsibilities of a PT are to be able to examine (test muscle function, strength, joints, flexibility, range of motion, balance/coordination, posture, etc.), diagnose, and create a plan of care. There are many job opportunities in schools (pre, high, college), at wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, and private
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