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Physical Therapy Research Paper

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Physical therapy evolved from “two major historical events: the poliomyelitis epidemics within the United States in the 1890s and the effects of World War I upon US citizens, creating a need for rehabilitation (Moffat, M.).” Physical therapists are health care professionals who treat individuals of all ages with medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Physical therapists go through rigorous training, work in a variety of settings, and follow an important vision. With all the important work physical therapists do for patients it is not surprising that the demand for physical therapists continues climb. Even for the country's younger sect, …show more content…

From the late 1950s to the late 1970s, “physical therapists in the United States moved from hospital-based programs to academic environments.” During the time of this change there was “increasing curricular content in physical therapist education and increased hours of clinical affiliations (Moffat, M.).” Today, to practice as a physical therapist in the US, you must complete six to seven years of schooling. There are three to four years of undergraduate study, and three years of graduate study. Students must earn a DPT degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). In order to apply to physical therapy school prospective physical therapist must complete Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). PTCAS allows applicants to use one application and set of materials to apply to multiple DPT programs. PTCAS is a service of APTA and managed by Liaison International. 80% of DPT programs participate in PTCAS. During the program, students are required to partake in classroom, lab, and clinical education. Once the degree is earned the PT student must pass a state licensure …show more content…

These professionals work in both non profit and for profit organizations. They prevent the onset, symptoms, and progression of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities that may result from diseases, disorders, conditions, or injuries. Examples of conditions treated by physical therapists are arthritis, back pain, balance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Physical therapists specialize to develop a greater depth of knowledge and skills related to a particular area of practice. Physical therapists may practice as generalists or specialized in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, or neurology. Specialty certification is voluntary, and physical therapists are not required to be certified in order to practice in a specific area. The vision of the profession of physical therapy is to transform society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience. The goal of a physical therapist is to promote the patient’s ability to move, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability. Achieving the goal of a physical therapist enables the physical therapist to carry out the vision of the profession. Physical therapist optimizes movement by improving quality of life as it relates to movement and

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