Physical Therapy Can Be Good For Your Health – And For Your Pocketbook
Everyone knows that regular exercise is good for you but physical therapy is sometimes forced upon you after you have suffered a debilitating disease such as cancer or had a stroke or an accident. Physical therapists provide much needed support for those who suffer from these maladies so this career choice makes good sense – especially if you are a fitness buff and love to work out or like massage therapy.
Physical therapists are required to participate in a physical therapist program and must also pass state as well as national licensing examinations. But the average salaries are in the $60,000 to $65,000 range – making this a worthwhile career choice. Physical therapists can work in a clinic, a hospital, a specialized physical therapy center or can work independently. You can have regular hours at a facility or you can work with patients at home who have been released from the hospital but require some assistance to get them more mobile.
A physical therapist works with each patient to restore the functionality of their arms or legs or whatever area has been affected. This helps the patient to regain their mobility and also relieve them of chronic pain that might be associated with their injury. You will help people who have arthritis or have suffered fractures or have low back pain. You might also work with cerebral palsy patients or those who have heart disease or have had a heart attack and need to regain the use of affected limbs.
Some other activities that might be required of a physical therapist might be helping a patient to bathe who needs assistance getting in and out of the shower. Massage and exercise are often used and application of hot or cold packs and assisting the patient or family members on how to apply these. This is a career that is also portable and is able to be used wherever you live.
Physical Therapists and Assistant Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Career Overview
Physical Therapy Job Postings
