The Profession

Physical Therapy promotes optimal human health and function. The physical therapist prevents, identifies, assesses, corrects, or alleviates acute or chronic disorders of movement. Physical therapy researchers are developing new principles and applications to more effectively meet existing and emerging healthcare needs.

Employment opportunities in physical therapy are excellent. They include traditional hospital-based programs, private practice, rehabilitation centers, public and private school systems, home health agencies, geriatric facilities, and industry. New graduates successfully passing the licensure examination can expect to earn from $38,000 to $50,000 annually. With additional education and experience, teaching and supervisory positions commanding higher salaries become available.

Graduation from an accredited program in physical therapy education is required for eligibility to take the examination to become a licensed physical therapist. A license to practice in the State of Texas depends on successful completion of the examination.

Physical therapists decide on the best exercise for people. Physical therapy is good medicine for anyone who needs to improve their ability to move. Movement is what physical therapy is all about.

Physical therapists practice in acute hospital settings, private practice/outpatient clinics, neurorehabilitation centers, and home health. In the acute care hospital, a physical therapist may treat patients in the intensive care unit or immediately following surgery. The patients are generally treated by physicians with specialties in orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, cardiology, pulmonology, rheumatology, or internal medicine.

Physical therapists also work in industrial and school settings. Physical therapists work to prevent injuries in the work site, and to assist injured employees in returning to their jobs. Providing services to children with disabilities is also the work of physical therapists. Services to children with developmental disabilities are usually provided in the home of the child with involvement of the child's parents. In public schools, physical therapists provide services that assist children in accessing and benefiting from their educational programs.

The physical therapist at a rehabilitation center will treat patients who have sustained a traumatic injury to the spinal cord or brain, had a stroke, or have been diagnosed with a degenerative disease of the nervous system. These patients need assistance in learning to walk, move or adapt to their limitations. A team of specialists including rehabilitation medicine physicians, occupational and speech therapists, psychologists and dietitians will work together to enhance the highest level of independent function of the patient.