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

Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

Status: Free
Universidade de São Paulo
Origens da Vida no Contexto Cósmico
Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Systems Of Measurement, Physical Science, Environment, General Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Experimentation, Timelines, Simulations, Simulation and Simulation Software
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of California, Irvine
Interfacing with the Arduino
Skills you'll gain: Internet Of Things, Hardware Design, Electronic Hardware, Basic Electrical Systems, Electrical Wiring, Electronic Components, Networking Hardware, Embedded Systems, Peripheral Devices, General Networking, Wireless Networks, Computer Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.9K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Explorando la Energía Sustentable
Skills you'll gain: Systems Of Measurement, Environmental Issue, Environmental Resource Management, Mitigation, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Physics, Economic Development, Physical Science, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Mathematical Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, Emerging Technologies
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
717 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Global Environmental Management
Skills you'll gain: Water Resources, Natural Resource Management, Environment and Resource Management, Civil Engineering, Environmental Issue, Environmental Management Systems, Land Management, Sanitation, Environmental Monitoring, Construction Engineering, Pollution Prevention, Environmental Policy, Waste Minimization, Cultural Diversity
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.1K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica
Introdução ao Controle de Sistemas
Skills you'll gain: Process Control, Systems Engineering, Systems Analysis, Engineering Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Applied Mathematics, Automation, Differential Equations
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
¡¿Cómo?! ¿Química en mi casa?
Skills you'll gain: Food and Beverage, Waste Minimization, Pollution Prevention, Cleanliness, Hazard Communication (HazCom), Pharmaceuticals, Sanitation, Home Health Care, Environment, Medical Science and Research, Environment and Resource Management, Physical Science, Personal Care, Manufacturing Processes
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Georgia Institute of Technology
Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Review
Skills you'll gain: Structural Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Structural Engineering, Hydraulics, Statistics, Engineering Analysis, Mechanical Engineering, Probability, Engineering, General Mathematics, Mechanics, Civil Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Algebra, Advanced Mathematics, Calculus, Differential Equations, Trigonometry
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
610 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Toronto
Introduction to GIS Mapping
Skills you'll gain: ArcGIS, GIS Software, Spatial Data Analysis, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Information and Technology, Geospatial Mapping, Data Mapping, Data Collection
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part1
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Innovation, Science and Research, Equipment Design, Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, Electronic Components, Medical Science and Research
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
The Finite Element Method for Problems in Physics
Skills you'll gain: Finite Element Methods, Engineering Analysis, Numerical Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Advanced Mathematics, C++ (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP)
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
548 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
University of Pennsylvania
Calculus: Single Variable Part 1 - Functions
Skills you'll gain: Calculus, Integral Calculus, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Algebra, Advanced Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Derivatives
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems
Skills you'll gain: Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Hardware Design, Electronic Hardware, Electronic Systems, Embedded Systems, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Schematic Diagrams, Technical Design, System Design and Implementation, Hardware Architecture, Design Software, Verification And Validation, Prototyping, Simulation and Simulation Software, Graphical Tools, Debugging
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks