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.

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Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

Status: Free
O.P. Jindal Global University
Environmental Issues, Policies, and Practice
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Laws, Environment, Environmental Issue, Risk Management, Environmental Resource Management, Environmental Policy, Environment Health And Safety, Environmental Science, Environmental Regulations, Mitigation, Water Resources, Risk Analysis, Sanitation, Public Health, Pollution Prevention
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
L&T EduTech
Construction Machinery for Concreting /Roads & Earth Moving
Skills you'll gain: Construction, Hydraulics, Construction Engineering, General Construction and Construction Labor, Equipment Design, Maintenance, Repair, and Facility Services, Grading (Landscape), Civil Engineering, Construction Inspection, Construction Management, Machine Controls, Commercial Construction, Plant Operations and Management, Vibrations, Safety Assurance, Facility Repair And Maintenance, Automation Engineering, Property Maintenance, Production Process
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Northeastern University
Foundations of Statistical Learning & Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Linear Algebra, Statistical Machine Learning, Statistical Modeling, Probability, Statistical Methods, Bayesian Statistics, Probability Distribution, Mathematical Modeling, Machine Learning, Applied Mathematics, Statistical Inference, Algebra
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Northwestern University
현대 로봇공학, 강좌 6: 캡스톤 프로젝트, 모바일 매니퓰레이션
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Robotic Process Automation, Simulations, Record Keeping, Matlab, Computer Programming, Linear Algebra
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free
American Museum of Natural History
The Solar System
Skills you'll gain: Scientific Visualization, Environment, Water Resources, Physics, General Science and Research, Taxonomy, Scientific Methods, Chemistry
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Strömungsimulation einer Kreiselpumpe
Skills you'll gain: Simulation and Simulation Software, Simulations, Engineering Analysis, Computer-Aided Design, Pump Stations, Process Analysis, Hydraulics, Cloud Computing
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: New
L&T EduTech
Machinery for Concreting
Skills you'll gain: Equipment Design, Maintenance, Repair, and Facility Services, Product Lifecycle Management, Construction, Construction Management, Automation Engineering, Digital Transformation, Data Maintenance, Hydraulics, Control Systems, 3D Modeling
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
L&T EduTech
Pile foundation
Skills you'll gain: Building Codes, Construction, Structural Engineering, Construction Engineering, Laboratory Testing, Civil Engineering, Structural Analysis, Engineering Design Process, Engineering Analysis
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Northwestern University
현대 로봇공학, 강좌 5: 로봇 매니퓰레이션 및 차륜형 이동 로봇
Skills you'll gain: Machine Controls, Automation Engineering, Mathematical Modeling, Torque (Physics), Mechanics, Control Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, Simulation and Simulation Software, Engineering Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Program Development, Linear Algebra
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Dassault Systèmes
Virtual Factory for Education
Skills you'll gain: Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing and Production, Virtual Environment, Simulation and Simulation Software, Process Analysis, Robotic Process Automation, Production Process, Simulations, Program Development
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
L&T EduTech
Pavement Materials and Design (IRC and MoRTH)
Skills you'll gain: Civil Engineering, Civil and Architectural Engineering, Structural Analysis, Construction, Failure Analysis, Engineering Software, Engineering Design Process, Engineering Calculations, Engineering Analysis, Laboratory Testing, Product Testing
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
MathWorks
Powering the Future with Electrification
Skills you'll gain: Electrical Systems, Model Based Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, Electric Power Systems, Simulations, Simulation and Simulation Software, Mathematical Modeling, Engineering Analysis, Energy and Utilities, Matlab, Environmental Engineering
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks