What is Physical Therapy?
What is the definition of Physical Therapy?
Physical Therapy (PT) is a healthcare profession that uses evidence-based techniques and exercises to help people recover, maintain, and improve their physical function, mobility, and overall well-being. It involves the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. Physical therapists work with individuals of all ages and with a wide range of conditions, including musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary, and other health issues!
The goal of physical therapy is to promote movement, reduce pain, restore function, prevent disability, and improve quality of life so you can get back to doing the things you love to do! Every physical therapy clinic is a little different, and cash based physical therapy clinics like ours offers 1:1 care 100% of the time, which can lead to much better and faster outcomes.
How much education do you need to become a Physical Therapist?
In the United States, the education requirement for a physical therapist is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. To pursue a DPT degree, one must have a bachelor's degree, typically in a related field such as biology, anatomy, or kinesiology, but as long as you meet the prerequisite requirements you can major in any subject.
After completing a bachelor's degree, aspiring physical therapists must attend an accredited physical therapy program that typically takes three years to complete. During this time, students will learn about anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, neuroscience, and other relevant subjects, as well as clinical practice through hands-on experience and supervised internships for typically 38 weeks spread out throughout the program.
Upon completing a DPT program, graduates must also pass a national licensure exam to become a licensed physical therapist in the United States as well as complete appropriate law exams for the state they want to be licensed in. Some PTs will go on to specialize in a specific area such as orthopedics, sports, geriatrics, pediatrics, etc. however it is not necessary to be a complete and capable practitioner.
Here at Wildflower Physical Therapy & Wellness in Indianapolis, IN, we treat mostly orthopedic and sports injuries as well as chronic pain and illness. Our therapists here use highly skilled interventions such as dry needling to expedite the healing process and promote a holistic option to pain and recovery.
Not sure if you need physical therapy?? Schedule a FREE phone consultation with one of our therapists to see if Wildflower is a good fit for you! We can’t wait to hear from you.