What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical practice that helps those with injuries, diseases, and other physical limitations move and function better, as well as manage pain, through various treatments. The overall goal of physical therapy is to improve the life of the patient. Reaching that goal may involve the use of exercise, manipulation, manual therapy, electrophysical modalities, devices, and medication. The origins of physical therapy date back to the time of the famous Greek physician Hippocrates , who used hydrotherapy to help people with skin, joint, and muscle problems.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in physical therapy?

Anyone who is interested in a career in physical therapy and related practices should be interested in helping others better themselves. You should be able to maintain a positive attitude, even through trying circumstances, and you should be an excellent communicator. It's also important to be a keen observer and pay close attention to detail. You'll need to be physically strong as well, since the job sometimes requires you to lift and hold patients who can't stand on their own.

Why learn physical therapy?

Learning about physical therapy can lead to an exciting career as a physical therapist. Physical therapists who enter this profession can help patients in private offices, hospitals, hospice facilities, nursing homes, home health care, schools, and rehab clinics. They may also open their own practices. Even if you don't want to pursue a career in the field, learning about physical therapy can help you better understand your own body. You'll discover new ways to stay physically healthy.

What are some typical careers that use physical therapy?

Most people who study physical therapy become physical therapists. However, there are several other options in this area. You may go on to become an athletic trainer for sports teams or a chiropractor with your own practice. You can become a personal trainer, exercise instructor, or exercise physiologist. Some people who study physical therapy go on to explore other therapeutic careers, such as speech, recreational, or occupational therapy. You can use your education as the basis for a career as a physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or audiologist too.

What are the benefits of taking an online Physical Therapy course?

Online Physical Therapy courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Physical Therapy skills. Choose from a wide range of Physical Therapy courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

Top Physical Therapy Courses - Learn Physical Therapy Online

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Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

Status: Free
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
Computers, Waves, Simulations: A Practical Introduction to Numerical Methods using Python
Skills you'll gain: Finite Element Methods, Numerical Analysis, Engineering Analysis, Jupyter, Differential Equations, Applied Mathematics, NumPy, Mathematical Modeling, Computational Thinking, Python Programming, Calculus, Mechanics, Vibrations, Linear Algebra, Simulations
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
381 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Toronto
GIS Data Acquisition and Map Design
Skills you'll gain: Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Mapping, Data Mapping, Spatial Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Metadata Management, Quantitative Research, Typography, Data Cleansing, Data Validation, Design Elements And Principles, Data Integration
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
701 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Colorado Boulder
Magnetics for Power Electronic Converters
Skills you'll gain: Power Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Components, Mathematical Modeling, Design Specifications, Engineering Analysis, Engineering Design Process, Engineering Calculations, Applied Mathematics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
146 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Macquarie University
Lymphoedema: Monitoring & Intervention After Breast Cancer
Skills you'll gain: Patient Treatment, Treatment Planning, Case Management, Health Assessment, Preventative Care, Patient Education and Support, Physical Therapy, Risk Management, Anatomy
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
46 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Siemens
Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics
Skills you'll gain: Engineering Analysis, Thermal Management, Hydraulics, Mechanical Engineering, Simulations, Numerical Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Engineering, Scientific Visualization, Physics, Test Case
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
155 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of North Texas
Contemporary Biology
Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Respiration, Environment, Physical Science, Scientific Methods, General Science and Research, Experimentation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
87 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Organic Solar Cells - Theory and Practice
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Process Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Electronic Components, Product Lifecycle Management, Environment, Product Testing, Reliability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Università Bocconi
Challenges of Agribusiness Management
Skills you'll gain: Innovation, Competitive Analysis, Food and Beverage, Corporate Sustainability, Business, Water Resources, Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain, Market Analysis, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Economics, Product Knowledge, Consumer Behaviour
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
267 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Politecnico di Milano
Fundamentals of financial and management accounting
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Accounting, Financial Reporting, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Balance Sheet, Capital Budgeting, Standard Accounting Practices, Cost Accounting, Income Statement, Cost Management, Cash Flows, Depreciation, Decision Making
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
734 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Johns Hopkins University
Foundations of Healthcare Systems Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Health Systems, Systems Engineering, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Systems Integration, Systems Analysis, System Requirements, System Testing, Requirements Analysis, Solution Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
276 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Biology Everywhere Foundations
Skills you'll gain: General Science and Research, Life Sciences, Research, Scientific Methods, Physical Science, Water Resources, Food and Beverage, Environment
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
213 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Nanjing University
结构生物化学（Structural Biochemistry)
Skills you'll gain: Structural Analysis, Life Sciences, Physical Science, Scientific Methods, Experimentation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
113 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular physical therapy courses

Computers, Waves, Simulations: A Practical Introduction to Numerical Methods using Python: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
GIS Data Acquisition and Map Design: University of Toronto
Magnetics for Power Electronic Converters: University of Colorado Boulder
Lymphoedema: Monitoring & Intervention After Breast Cancer: Macquarie University
Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics: Siemens
Contemporary Biology : University of North Texas
Organic Solar Cells - Theory and Practice: Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Challenges of Agribusiness Management: Università Bocconi
Fundamentals of financial and management accounting: Politecnico di Milano
Foundations of Healthcare Systems Engineering: Johns Hopkins University

Physical Therapy Courses Online