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

Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

Duke University
Oil & Gas Industry Operations and Markets
Skills you'll gain: Market Dynamics, Energy and Utilities, Operating Cost, Transportation Operations, Production Process, Supply Chain, Market Data, Market Trend, Cost Estimation, Global Marketing, Market Analysis, International Finance, Natural Resource Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Georgia Institute of Technology
Introduction to Engineering Mechanics
Skills you'll gain: Engineering Analysis, Mechanics, Torque (Physics), Engineering Calculations, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Analysis, Trigonometry
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
The State University of New York
Solar Energy Basics
Skills you'll gain: Electric Power Systems, Electrical Systems, Electrical Power, Energy and Utilities, Basic Electrical Systems, Electronic Components, Cost Estimation, Building Codes, Engineering Calculations, Environment and Resource Management, Emerging Technologies
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
National Taiwan University
BIM Fundamentals for Engineers
Skills you'll gain: Building Information Modeling, Engineering Documentation, Data Modeling, 3D Modeling, Computer-Aided Design, Construction, Information Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Financial Accounting
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Reporting, Financial Accounting, Balance Sheet, Accrual Accounting, Financial Analysis, Cash Flows, Income Statement, Bookkeeping, Revenue Recognition, Depreciation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
8.3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Fundamentals of GIS
Skills you'll gain: ArcGIS, GIS Software, Spatial Data Analysis, Data Sharing, Spatial Analysis, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Mapping, Metadata Management, Data Quality, Data Mapping, File Management, Data Presentation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Georgia Institute of Technology
Mechanics of Materials I: Fundamentals of Stress & Strain and Axial Loading
Skills you'll gain: Structural Analysis, Mechanical Engineering, Failure Analysis, Engineering Analysis, Mechanics, Engineering Calculations, Civil Engineering, Mathematical Modeling, Laboratory Testing, Engineering Design Process
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.5K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Everyday Excel
Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Microsoft Excel, Regression Analysis, Data Validation, Data Visualization, Depreciation, Data Management, Excel Macros, Excel Formulas, Statistical Modeling, Financial Analysis, Cash Flows, Predictive Modeling, Financial Modeling, Analysis, Microsoft Word, Business Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling, Complex Problem Solving, Financial Forecasting
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.9K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Lund University
Circular Economy - Sustainable Materials Management
Skills you'll gain: Environment and Resource Management, Materials Management, Environmental Science, Systems Thinking, Supply Chain Management, Environmental Policy, Product Lifecycle Management, Business Strategies, Industrial Design, Innovation, Stakeholder Engagement, Consumer Behaviour
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding
Skills you'll gain: Wireframing, Responsive Web Design, HTML and CSS, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Design, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Browser Compatibility, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Javascript, Front-End Web Development, User Interface (UI), Web Development Tools, Verification And Validation, Interactive Design, Application Frameworks, Code Review, Web Design and Development, Event-Driven Programming, Usability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
35K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
The University of Tokyo
From the Big Bang to Dark Energy
Skills you'll gain: Physics, General Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Mathematical Modeling, Chemistry
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris (Project-Centered Course)
Skills you'll gain: Computer Architecture, Computer Hardware, Computational Logic, Computer Programming, System Design and Implementation, Technical Design, Software Design, Program Development, Debugging, Verification And Validation, Development Environment
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
3.7K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months