When people suffer a severe injury or go through surgery, physical therapy is a typical treatment that can aid them in recovering faster. It also helps in the management of symptoms caused by a health condition that limits one’s mobility.
Physical therapy consists of a variety of exercises, stretches and motions that will improve your strength, flexibility, and mobility, allowing you to move more safely and confidently. It might be part of a broader pain management strategy or a specialized treatment for an accident or health issue.
Physical therapy is also commonly required following a variety of surgeries. You may also require physical treatment to help avoid injuries before they occur. Working with a physical therapist and a healthcare expert will ensure a patient’s safety during this therapy.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists are licensed physicians who work with a variety of patient populations affected by disease, injury and movement dysfunction.
They improve quality of life by preserving, restoring, and enhancing patients’ capacity to move, function and lead more active lifestyles. The length of your physical therapy session is determined by the injuries or health concerns you have, as well as the area of your body that needs assistance in moving more freely.
Some people just require a few weeks of physical therapy to address a short-term condition. Others require it for months or years to treat the symptoms of a chronic (long-term) illness.
Different Types of Physical Therapy
Physical therapy consists of hands-on approaches (a therapist moving a part of your body) as well as exercises or movements performed under the direction of a physical therapist.
Physical treatment might include: stretching, strength training (with or without weights or exercise machines), massage, heat or cold therapy, hydrotherapy and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation).
Physical therapy is typically an outpatient treatment, which means you do not stay in a hospital or healthcare facility while receiving it. If you are in the hospital following an injury or surgery, you may begin therapy and continue it once you return home.
Depending on where you live and the type of physical therapy you require, you may receive your treatment at a professional clinic, a hospital or even your own home. You may be able to receive physical therapy through a virtual visit, either via video call or phone.
Getting into a DPT Program
Before being admitted to most DPT programs, applicants must first complete a bachelor’s degree.
Other schools use a 3+3 curriculum, which requires students to complete three years of particular pre-professional (undergraduate/pre-PT) coursework before advancing to a three-year professional DPT degree. A few programs provide freshman entry, bringing students straight from high school into a guaranteed admissions program.
High school students admitted into these programs will instantly advance to the professional phase of the DPT program, pending completion of required university courses and any other indicated conditions, such as a minimum GPA.
Why Should You Attend a DPT Program?
To practice physical therapy, you should enroll in a DPT program, which will provide you with higher pay and more job options.
You must first receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy. Furthermore, according to the NIH, a PhD degree is correlated with higher annual pay.
You should also enroll in a DPT program to expand your knowledge and abilities and give better clinical care. The evolving clinical environment necessitates a refined skill set and a better level of understanding.
According to an ERIC study, physical therapists gain from DPT degrees because a doctorate-level physical therapy curriculum, combined with clinical rotations and observation hours, broadens their knowledge and skill set.
Easiest Physical Therapy Schools to Get Into
Some of the easiest physical therapy schools to get into include:
1. Baylor University
Baylor’s DPT program is a two-year hybrid curriculum that incorporates distance learning, on-campus lab immersion environments and clinical education experiences. This institution is a member of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy.
2. Duke University
Duke University is one of the top-rated DPT programs in the United States. U.S. News & World Report ranked this program ninth out of 244 assessed.
Furthermore, Duke has a 100 percent graduation, license and employment rate for this program’s graduates.
3. Howard University
This institution’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
This private institution has reasonably good licensure, graduation and job rates for graduates of this program.
4. Northeastern University
Northeastern University has one of the longest-standing recognized physical therapy programs in the United States. U.S. News ranks this institution as the 49th finest university in the country.
Northeastern is best renowned for providing students with significant work experience before receiving their degrees and this program is no exception. Students who complete this program will have valuable professional experience as well as superior clinical decision-making and differential diagnosis skills.
This comprehensive program covers a variety of topics, including clinical anatomy, human anatomy, neurology, health education, public health and wellness.
5. Northwestern University
This school is one of the largest physical therapy programs in the United States. According to US News & World Report, this huge university is America’s ninth-best college. The University’s official website indicated that the institution accepts about 100 DPT students each year.
Northwestern’s rigorous curriculum is intended to prepare graduates for the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and state licensure. This program’s fundamental courses address topics such as motor control framework, clinical education, global health and technological standards.
6. Ohio State University
Ohio State has a rigorous DPT curriculum with five clinical residency programs: sports physical therapy, geriatric physical therapy, orthopedic physical therapy, neurological physical therapy and pediatric physical therapy.
This curriculum consists of nine semesters and two intermediate clinical internships. Public schools frequently have lower tuition costs than private institutions.
7. Regis University
Regis University provides a DPT program with 38 weeks of clinical rotation experience. Students can see therapeutic exercises and learn from professionals in their field.
A widely recognized and esteemed faculty leads the curriculum at this school. Graduates of this program are qualified to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE).
8. San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is one of the finest universities in the country, with reasonable program costs. U.S. News ranks this university as the 29th best in the country. If you want to be a physical therapist, you should enroll in this school’s entry-level DPT program, which will open up numerous prospects.
This three-year curriculum teaches clinical practice, social sciences, exercise physiology, applied sciences, human physiology and comparative anatomy.
To meet the program’s educational requirements, you must have a 3.0 GPA or higher in your undergraduate college curriculum.
9. University of Florida
This entry-level curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge needed to take the professional licensing examination and begin a professional career in physical therapy.
During the many hours of education, it emphasizes biological, behavioral and kinesiological sciences while also teaching advanced medical terminology.
10. Winston Salem State University
WSSU’s DPT program is intended to prepare students for a variety of practice settings and healthcare systems.
Students who complete the professional practice and hands-on experience courses will be able to work in a variety of clinical sites and settings, including acute care, outpatient facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, research institutions and long-term care facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What distinguishes physical therapy from occupational therapy?
Physical and occupational therapy both help you move your body more effectively and securely. The difference between them is their ultimate goal.
People typically require physical therapy to address symptoms of a health condition, such as pain and stiffness in a specific body area.
It’s also normal to require physical therapy when recovering from an injury or surgery. Occupational therapy focuses on helping patients improve their ability to perform basic everyday chores and live as independently as possible.
The occupation in occupational therapy does not necessarily indicate your capacity to perform your job or return to work after an injury. Occupational therapy is a broad term that refers to any of the daily duties you perform. An occupational therapist will assist you in improving your ability to perform chores such as using a computer, grocery shopping, and getting dressed.
What’s the distinction between physical therapy, orthopedic physical therapy and physiotherapy?
Physical therapy, orthopedic physical therapy, and physiotherapy are all interchangeable terms. All of these terms refer to the same forms of treatment. Whatever you call it, physical therapy can help you move more comfortably, safely, and confidently.
Physical therapy is commonly referred to as a treatment by both clinicians and patients in the United States, with physical therapists serving as the practitioners.
Outside of the United States, physiotherapy and physiotherapists are more commonly discussed. People outside the United States sometimes refer to physical treatment as kinesiotherapy.
Conclusion
So here are some of the easiest physical therapy schools to get into and realize your dream of becoming a physiotherapist soon. You may choose the institution that suits you best and begin to send in your applications.
