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

Status: Free

University of Pennsylvania

Calculus: Single Variable Part 3 - Integration

Skills you'll gain: Integral Calculus, Calculus, Applied Mathematics, Differential Equations, Engineering Calculations, Advanced Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling

Status: Free Trial

University of California San Diego

Internet of Things: Multimedia Technologies

Skills you'll gain: Computer Vision, Mobile Development, Digital Communications, Application Development, Python Programming, Internet Of Things, Embedded Software

Universidad de los Andes

Introducción al mantenimiento de activos físicos

Skills you'll gain: Asset Management, Fixed Asset, Facility Management and Maintenance, Maintenance, Repair, and Facility Services, Maintainability, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Product Lifecycle Management, Performance Metric, Performance Measurement, Failure Analysis, Reliability, Cost Estimation, Decision Making, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Cost Benefit Analysis

Status: Free Trial

Dartmouth College

Energy and Environment

Skills you'll gain: Energy and Utilities, Environmental Science, Environmental Issue, Environment, Environmental Engineering, Electric Power Systems, Natural Resource Management, Physics, Innovation

Status: Free Trial

University of Michigan

Environmental Hazards and Global Public Health

Skills you'll gain: Demography, Environmental Regulations, Environmental Policy, Environment Health And Safety, Environmental Issue, Pollution Prevention, Sanitation, Public Health, Water Resources, Environmental Science, Radiation Protection, Community Health, Hazard Communication (HazCom), Chronic Diseases

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

La química en la producción de alimentos y medicamentos

Skills you'll gain: Chemistry, Pharmacology, Natural Resource Management, Food and Beverage, Biochemistry, Environment and Resource Management, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceuticals, Nutrition and Diet, Laboratory Testing, Research

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Control automático: La tecnología invisible

Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Mathematical Modeling, Engineering Calculations, Process Control, Automation, Applied Mathematics, User Feedback, Predictive Modeling, Systems Analysis

Status: Free Trial

Johns Hopkins University

Beginning Custom Projects with Raspberry Pi

Skills you'll gain: Remote Access Systems, Linux, Restful API, Web Applications, Security Controls, Internet Of Things, Embedded Systems, Application Programming Interface (API), Linux Commands, Command-Line Interface, Secure Coding, Electronics, Control Systems, Electronic Hardware, System Configuration, General Networking, Python Programming, Hardware Troubleshooting, Software Installation, Peripheral Devices

Status: Free Trial

University of Colorado Boulder

Sustainability and the Circular Economy

Skills you'll gain: Organizational Leadership, Corporate Sustainability, Strategic Leadership, Environmental Resource Management, Business Leadership, Initiative and Leadership, Sustainability Reporting, Environment, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Architectural Design, Building Design, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Energy and Utilities, Product Lifecycle Management, Economic Development, Economics, Transportation Operations

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Cómo autoconstruir tu vivienda. Segunda etapa

Skills you'll gain: Electrical Wiring, Hydraulics, Plumbing, Basic Electrical Systems, Water Resources, Electrical Safety, Construction, Architecture and Construction, Construction Engineering, Building Codes, Structural Engineering

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)

Introduction to Acoustics (Part 2)

Skills you'll gain: Vibrations, Engineering Design Process, Engineering Analysis, Engineering Calculations, Mathematical Modeling, Applied Mathematics, Differential Equations, Calculus, Physics

Status: Free Trial

Rice University

Anatomy & Physiology: Fluids, Transport, and Defense

Skills you'll gain: Cardiology, Anatomy, Patient Evaluation, Pathology, Biology, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Infectious Diseases

Physical Therapy Courses Online

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Calculus: Single Variable Part 3 - Integration

Internet of Things: Multimedia Technologies