Help Center
Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions
We here at PhysicalTherapist.com have found that web sites can sometimes be confusing. Even though we strive to make our site as user friendly as possible we understand that there will always be questions. So we have compiled a brief list of frequently asked questions and answers on using this site in order to make your experience here all the more enjoyable. In addition we’ve also included some general information for patients, information about getting started in the physical therapy field, and some answers and questions specific for physical therapy professionals. OOk
Using This Site – FAQs
Anyone can participate in the message board forums by posting new topics or adding a post to an existing discussion thread. Areas covered include: professional, student, and patient related discussions. To see a list of ongoing discussions, visit our forums landing page. You will first need to register as a member with the PhysicalThearpist.com forums. If after reading the rules, policies and disclaimers you wish to continue then click agree. If you do not wish to continue then click cancel. If continuing, fill in the membership profile information requested. Only your username, password and e-mail address are required. Please be aware that some information you provide may be viewed by other message board users. So if you want certain information to be kept private, then don’t provide it. When you’re finished entering your member profile, then press the submit button. A confirmation of your username and password will be e-mailed to you within a few minutes. Be sure to activate your membership by following the link received in this e-mail before attempting to log on with your newly created username and password. Once your membership is activated, you can post new topics or participate in ongoing discussions. Simply enter in your username and password when prompted. If you have trouble using the message board itself, try using the message board FAQ by clicking here or by clicking on FAQ on the message board navigation bar.
To post a job on PhysicalTherapist.com you will need to sign up with PTJobs.com as an employer and purchase a job post(s). Upon posting your job opening through this service, the job will instantly be searchable on the PhysicalTherapist.com community web site at no additional fee. If you would like to be included as a Featured Employer or one of the Hot Jobs listings, please contact PTJobs.com for rates and availability of these expanded exposure opportunities.
Currently PhysicalTherapist.com does not have a newsletter, but one may be coming in the future. The only way to find out about updates and events that are scheduled is to check back from time to time.
Visit our advertising section and fill in the required fields and answer all the questions. The more information you give us the better, as we will be able to assist you in greater detail. After sending us your information a representative of will contact you within 2 business days to finalize any details.
Physical Therapy Patient – FAQs
The physical therapist (PT) performs services directed at preventing the onset and/or decreasing the development of conditions resulting from injury and disease. The physical therapist provides these services to people who have functional conditions resulting from musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains/strains and fractures. They also provide treatment for more serious conditions such as burns, arthritis, amputations, stroke, vertigo and multiple sclerosis.
The physical therapist assistant (PTA) is a technically educated health provider who assists the physical therapist in the provision of physical therapy and may perform physical therapy interventions selected by the supervising physical therapist. The physical therapist assistant works under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist, helping manage conditions such as back and neck injuries, sprains/strains and fractures, arthritis, burns, amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, birth defects, injuries related to work and sports, and others.
A physical therapist is a professional healthcare provider who tries to meet an individual’s health needs and wants via communication with other healthcare specialists and the use of exercise, education, and various therapeutic modalities. This can include anything from teaching patients to walk again after an injury, or helping an athlete to improve his speed, strength, or agility on the playing field. Physical therapists perform many different functions in order to optimize a patient’s recovery. For those patients with health problems resulting from injury or disease, the physical therapist assists in the rehabilitation process to reduce the patient’s pain, and increase the patient’s strength, endurance, and stability. In addition to treatments given in the office the physical therapist must also work hand in hand with the patient to help develop a personal home therapy program for when they are no longer in the therapists care. This is done to ensure that the healing process continues and that there is no future reoccurrence of the treated condition. One of the more significant functions of a physical therapist is to aid patients in improving their ability to perform activities of daily living. This may include but is not limited to patient’s dressing themselves, eating, cooking, or taking care of their personal hygiene. Physical therapists also play a large role in injury prevention. Through education, physical therapists can help people become fit and teach them how to avoid injuring themselves either at work or at play.
WHERE DOES A PHYSICAL THERAPIST WORK?
If your looking for a physical therapy clinic in your area visit our clinic listings on PhysicalTherapist.com and either search by a region, zip code, state, clinic name, or specialty. You may also wish to contact your Physician for a referral, search local phone book listings, or visit your local state Physical Therapy Association chapter website or search the national APTA member Physical Therapist listings.
There are many web sites that offer various types of medical supplies. One choice is SelfCareCentral.com, offering a wide selection of rehabilitation and fitness products at competitive prices.
Becoming a Physical Therapy Professional – FAQs
According to the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) the median salary for a physical therapist is $52,000 depending on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location, and practice setting.
According to the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) the median income for a physical therapist assistant is $30,000 depending on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location, and practice setting.
In order to become a physical therapist you must first obtain a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited physical therapy program. Most programs offer master’s degrees but some now even offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. After graduating you must then pass a state-administered national exam. Upon passing the exam you will need to meet any additional requirements your state licensing board may have, before they will allow you to practice.
Each program differs from state to state and each has a specific curriculum that you’ll need to take in order to graduate. Before you can be accepted into most curriculums you must first successfully pass some general education classes that will help you prepare for the physical therapy program. These classes may include but are not limited to psychology, biology, physics, chemistry, statistics, English, professional writing, and humanities. After you are accepted into the program the courses will become more focused on the physical therapy practice. This will include basic and clinical medical science courses and emphasize the theory and practice of physical therapy. In addition to classroom learning the program will also require students to apply and incorporate what they have learned through hands on clinical education in various physical therapy settings.
Just go to Visit the school listings on PhysicalTherapist.com and search by keyword, city, state or country.
Send an email to [email protected] with: School Name Address City, State, Zip Code and Country Contact Name and Email Phone, Fax and Website Plus the programs offered
Those looking to network with other physical therapy students can try these websites: PhysicalTherapist.com RehabEdge.com Physical Therapy State Associations American Physical Therapy Association PTJobs.com
Physical Therapy Professional – FAQs
Each state has different requirements and procedures for obtaining your license. The best way to find out what you need to do is to contact your state licensing board. If you do not know how to contact them then go to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy homepage and click on the state you are looking in. Most listings will include mail addresses, phone and/or fax numbers, e-mail addresses, or even a link to a homepage on the internet.
We have partnered with RehabEdge.com to provide an online search of CEUs for various rehabilitation professions. If you are looking for courses and training in Evidence Based Practices, visit Evidence In Motion.
Send an email to [email protected] including: Clinic Name Address City, State, Zip Code and Country Contact Name and Email Phone, Fax and Website Any specializations A short description of services offered
The best place to find these items is in a university library. However this is often limited to schools with physical therapy education programs or medical schools. The next best thing is to find them online. The following are a couple of links that may help you with your search. Evidence Express® by Evidence In Motion Physical Therapy Books Online from Slack National Library of Medicine – Pub Med Search Engine Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association
If your looking for a physical therapy clinic in your area visit our clinic listings on PhysicalTherapist.com and either search by a region, zip code, state, clinic name, or specialty. You may also wish to contact your Physician for a referral, search local phone book listings, or visit your local state Physical Therapy Association chapter website or search the national APTA member Physical Therapist listings.
There are many web sites that offer various types of medical supplies. One choice is SelfCareCentral.com, offering a wide selection of rehabilitation and fitness products at competitive prices.