Why I Want To Study Physical Therapy

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.

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 therapy has been an important resource to help people heal from injuries throughout history; however, has only become an official and professional industry within the last century. Physical therapists organized into a y became a professional association in 1921, which was the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association. This later changed to the American Physiotherapy Association so that they could allow men to join. In the 1930’s the APA introduced its first “Code of Ethics”. (apta.org). Many different techniques and tools are used in the field now that have evolved from methods of the past. Some of the methods are still used, and some methods are a whole new thing on their own. In the physical therapy, many varieties of methods

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.

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

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.

Mary McMillan is known as one of the first leaders in the physical therapy profession.1 The Mary McMillan Lecture Award is given annually to recognize members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) making notable contributions to the profession surrounding the areas of research, patient care, administration and education. 1 It is important to learn these facts prior to understand the 40th Mary McMillan Lecture Award given to Dr. Carolee J. Winstein with her lecture entitled “The Best We Can Be Is Yet to Come”.

Physical therapy has been evolving as a profession over the last 50 years, bringing terms like "anatomy" to the field and leaving a stronger medical connection behind. Ties to a "doctoring" profession are great for physical therapy practice publicity. Embracing recent changes, many professionals are excited about this change, while others remain apprehensive. Either way, the evolution into a physical therapy practice is inevitable for many working in the field.

Dreeben, O. (2007). Introduction to physical therapy for physical therapist assistants. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

With my mission statement in mind, physical therapy is my future. The vision of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.” – is a translation of my own mission statement. Daily, physical therapists empower people to improve their own lives. Motion is essential to the human experience, and one has only to experience pain to recognize how much each body part is used and how it affects the use of other parts.

Being a physical therapist, to me, is someone that is able to enhance physical and functional abilities, promote optimal quality of life, and prevent onset and unwanted diagnoses for every person they evaluate. It takes a knowledgeable, patient, determined, and passionate physical therapist to complete these arduous tasks. A physical therapist’s goal should always be to improve their patients’ lives in various aspects. It is also important for the physical therapist to have a strong belief and positive outlook for the treatment they prescribe, because if the patient notices discouragement, they will not trust the healing process. I have learned through observations that physical therapy is a very adaptive field; not every patient is the same, changes occur, and alterations are often made. The main objective is to keep the person active in any way they can be, because a sedentary lifestyle can easily ruin a person’s body, abled or disabled.

Since day one, physical and occupational therapy have steadily progressed and evolved into crucial, prestigious careers. Physical therapy began around 460 BC. Hippocrates used hydrotherapy, which uses pools or water for exercises and relief of pain, and massage treatment. Many universities started programs for massage and physical therapy. The industry grew during WWI because the war produced many injured soldiers who were in need of therapy. In 1921, the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association, later the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), was founded by Mary McMillan, who became known as the “Mother of Physical Therapy.” The APTA official website describes the APTA as a professional membership organization that funds and releases research and fights legal battles for PTs (Who we are). Throughout the years, physical therapy has become a respectable career and has, and will, continue to grow as more research and

Improving the human experience is the ultimate goal of physical therapy. To optimize movement and impact patient care, the physical therapist must engage a process of service by personally connecting with the patient in order to completely understand and validate the experience. Once a complete knowledge of the individual’s circumstances is discerned, a treatment plan can be developed, allowing patient to reach highest potential of mobility. A constant and consistent study of research and new methods of treatment will support and ensure the most effective treatment plans. Through strong commitment to the profession of physical therapy, transformation of a society can be achieved.

Excellence: Excellence is a key component behind the practice of evidence-based care in the profession of physical therapy. As a doctoring profession that utilizes high levels of research, the knowledge invested into care will lead to well-constructed successful outcomes. Physical therapy will continue to expand and excel in the quality of patient centered care. I’ve worked hard to meet goals throughout my undergraduate education and will continue to meet higher standards as a graduate student. As a future professional, I will aim far beyond what is necessary to meet basic requirements, and continually pursue growth.

Physical therapy has grown increasing more useful as the years’ progress and more is learned about the human body and its movements, interactions, and mechanisms. Someone may go to physical therapy for injury, recovery, in order to maintain function, or even due to a stroke and is trying to work on walking again. Patients of a physical therapist can include, but is not limited to, elderly, children, accident victims, athletes, those with conditions such as arthritis or fractures, etc. The possibilities are endless for potential physical therapy patients (Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences).