Q: What can physical
therapists help me accomplish?
A: Physical therapists can help you improve your mobility and quality of life
without the expense of surgery or side effects of pain medication. Physical
therapists are also the health care professionals of choice for rehabilitation
for orthopedic, neurologic, cardiopulmonary and many other conditions and
injuries.
Q: What are the
educational requirements to become a physical therapist?
A: Many physical therapy programs require that graduates obtain a doctor of
physical therapy degree. The minimum educational requirement is a master’s
degree.
Q: Are physical
therapists doctors?
A: More and more physical therapists are graduating with a Doctor of Physical
Therapy (DPT) degree. More than 92 percent of the more than 200 accredited
academic institutions nationwide offering professional physical therapist
education programs now offer the DPT degree – and more than 75 percent of all
2008 PT graduates hold a DPT degree.
Q: How can a physical
therapist help me?
A: Physical therapists are experts in the way the human body moves. They use
treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore
function, and prevent disability. They will also help you prevent loss of
mobility by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs to help you
achieve a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Q: How can I see a
physical therapist?
A: In most states, you can make an appointment with a physical therapist
directlywithout a physician referral.
Q: Can a physical
therapist help to alleviate pain?
A: Yes, in many cases, a personal, comprehensive treatment plan by a physical
therapist can help you reduce and/or eliminate pain.
Q: Can a physical
therapist help me avoid surgery?
A: Yes, many conditions can be successfully treated without expensive and
painful surgery. Talk to your physical therapist to see what options are
available to you. Surgery does not have to be your only course of action.
Q: Are physical
therapists covered by my health insurance?
A: In most cases, yes. Click on the links below to learn more about insurance
coverage for physical therapy.
Q: Do physical therapists
have specialist certifications in areas of expertise?
A: Some physical therapists choose to advance their knowledge and expertise in
specialty areas such as pediatrics, neurology, sports or geriatrics to name a
few. To achieve these certifications, they must sit for specialist
certification exams, and have completed a minimum of 2,000 hours of direct
patient care in the specialty area. Other specific requirements may apply based
on specialty area. Specialist certifications can be held in the areas of
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Clinical Electrophysiologic, Geriatric,
Neurologic, Orthopedic, Pediatric, Sports, and Women’s Health (approved for
status, available in 2009).
Q:
Who are PTAs?
A: Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) have completed an associate degree from
an accredited PTA program and, in most states, are licensed. Under the
direction and supervision of the physical therapist, PTAs assist physical
therapists in patient treatment and education.
If you want to find out more about physical therapy visit www.apta.org or www.ohiopt.org
Adopted from http://www.moveforwardpt.com/faq/