What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical practice that helps those with injuries, diseases, and other physical limitations move and function better, as well as manage pain, through various treatments. The overall goal of physical therapy is to improve the life of the patient. Reaching that goal may involve the use of exercise, manipulation, manual therapy, electrophysical modalities, devices, and medication. The origins of physical therapy date back to the time of the famous Greek physician Hippocrates , who used hydrotherapy to help people with skin, joint, and muscle problems.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in physical therapy?

Anyone who is interested in a career in physical therapy and related practices should be interested in helping others better themselves. You should be able to maintain a positive attitude, even through trying circumstances, and you should be an excellent communicator. It's also important to be a keen observer and pay close attention to detail. You'll need to be physically strong as well, since the job sometimes requires you to lift and hold patients who can't stand on their own.

Why learn physical therapy?

Learning about physical therapy can lead to an exciting career as a physical therapist. Physical therapists who enter this profession can help patients in private offices, hospitals, hospice facilities, nursing homes, home health care, schools, and rehab clinics. They may also open their own practices. Even if you don't want to pursue a career in the field, learning about physical therapy can help you better understand your own body. You'll discover new ways to stay physically healthy.

What are some typical careers that use physical therapy?

Most people who study physical therapy become physical therapists. However, there are several other options in this area. You may go on to become an athletic trainer for sports teams or a chiropractor with your own practice. You can become a personal trainer, exercise instructor, or exercise physiologist. Some people who study physical therapy go on to explore other therapeutic careers, such as speech, recreational, or occupational therapy. You can use your education as the basis for a career as a physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or audiologist too.

What are the benefits of taking an online Physical Therapy course?

Online Physical Therapy courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Physical Therapy skills. Choose from a wide range of Physical Therapy courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

Top Physical Therapy Courses - Learn Physical Therapy Online

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Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Solar Power Sensors
Skills you'll gain: Power Electronics, Electronic Components, Semiconductors, Electric Power Systems, Electrical Systems, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Electronics Engineering, System Monitoring, Energy and Utilities, Electrical Equipment, Safety Assurance, Environmental Monitoring, Manufacturing Processes, Emerging Technologies
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
University of Michigan
Michigan Sport-Related Concussion Training Certification
Skills you'll gain: Rehabilitation, Medical Emergency, Injury Prevention, Neurology, Safety Training, School Psychology, Pediatrics, Long Term Care
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
University of Michigan
Teaching and Assessing Clinical Skills
Skills you'll gain: Constructive Feedback, Clinical Supervision, Recognizing Others, Patient Evaluation, Goal Setting, Patient Safety, Teamwork, Trustworthiness, Empowerment, Decision Making
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
732 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Anatomy
Skills you'll gain: Anatomy, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Respiration, Gynecology, Obstetrics And Gynecology, Orthopedics, Neurology, Urology, Kinesiology, Medical Imaging, Vital Signs, General Medicine, Biology, Medical Terminology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.9K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Dassault Systèmes
SOLIDWORKS Revolution and Cut Features
Skills you'll gain: SolidWorks (CAD), Computer-Aided Design, 3D Modeling, Design Software
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
The University of Edinburgh
Observing Earth From Space
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Monitoring, Spatial Data Analysis, Geospatial Information and Technology, Geospatial Mapping, Environment, Geographic Information Systems, Environment and Resource Management, Data Ethics, Environmental Science, Image Analysis, Continuous Monitoring, Data Collection, Forecasting
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Anatomy: Human Neuroanatomy
Skills you'll gain: Anatomy, Neurology, Medical Terminology, Biology
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
981 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Dassault Systèmes
SOLIDWORKS Feature Patterns and Sweeps
Skills you'll gain: SolidWorks (CAD), Computer-Aided Design, Product Family Engineering, Technical Design
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Dassault Systèmes
SOLIDWORKS Advanced Sketching and Reference Geometry
Skills you'll gain: SolidWorks (CAD), Computer-Aided Design, Mechanical Drawings, 3D Modeling, Drafting and Engineering Design
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Yale University
Anatomy of the Upper and Lower Extremities
Skills you'll gain: Anatomy, Orthopedics, Kinesiology, Physical Therapy, Medical Terminology, Radiology
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
89 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Northwestern University
Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control
Skills you'll gain: Machine Controls, Control Systems, Mathematical Modeling, Simulation and Simulation Software, Automation Engineering, Engineering Calculations, Engineering, Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Torque (Physics), Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Analysis, Automation, Computational Logic, Virtual Environment, Robotic Process Automation, Graph Theory, Matlab, Numerical Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Medical Terminology I
Skills you'll gain: Medical Terminology, Orthopedics, Medical Records, Urology, Anatomy, Electronic Medical Record
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
668 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Physical Therapy learners also search

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular physical therapy courses

Solar Power Sensors: University of Colorado Boulder
Michigan Sport-Related Concussion Training Certification : University of Michigan
Teaching and Assessing Clinical Skills: University of Michigan
Anatomy: University of Michigan
SOLIDWORKS Revolution and Cut Features: Dassault Systèmes
Observing Earth From Space: The University of Edinburgh
Anatomy: Human Neuroanatomy: University of Michigan
SOLIDWORKS Feature Patterns and Sweeps: Dassault Systèmes
SOLIDWORKS Advanced Sketching and Reference Geometry: Dassault Systèmes
Anatomy of the Upper and Lower Extremities : Yale University

Physical Therapy Courses Online