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

UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales)
Remote Sensing Image Acquisition, Analysis and Applications
Skills you'll gain: Image Analysis, Unsupervised Learning, Geospatial Information and Technology, Computer Vision, Feature Engineering, Spatial Analysis, Machine Learning, Dimensionality Reduction, Linear Algebra, Deep Learning, Supervised Learning, Statistical Methods, Data Cleansing, Artificial Neural Networks
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
164 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
University at Buffalo
Energy: The Enterprise
Skills you'll gain: Workforce Development, Environmental Issue, Economics, Project Design, Environment, Business Economics, Innovation, Emerging Technologies, Operational Efficiency
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
ESADE Business and Law School
Empresa familiar: gestión, dirección y sucesión
Skills you'll gain: Succession Planning, Business Modeling, Business Management, Organizational Structure, Governance, Systems Thinking, Family Therapy, Technology Strategies, Business Relationship Management, Business, Storytelling, Business Strategy, Risk Management Framework, Innovation, Business Economics, Business Leadership, Business Transformation, Performance Improvement, Human Resource Strategy, Economics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
172 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Rice University
Anatomy & Physiology: Levels of Organization
Skills you'll gain: Anatomy, Medical Terminology, Life Sciences, Physical Science
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
81 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)
Electrodynamics: Analysis of Electric Fields
Skills you'll gain: Electrical Engineering, Electronic Components, Engineering Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Scientific Visualization, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Engineering Calculations, Differential Equations, Advanced Mathematics, Physics, Mathematical Modeling, Calculus, Equipment Design
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
166 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California San Diego
Internet of Things: Sensing and Actuation From Devices
Skills you'll gain: Internet Of Things, Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, Peripheral Devices, Computer Hardware, Wireless Networks, Digital Communications, Application Development, Debugging
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
156 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Introduction to Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage
Skills you'll gain: Sanitation, Water Resources, Food Safety and Sanitation, Health And Safety Standards, Public Works, Emergency Response, Program Evaluation, Environmental Monitoring, Governance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Lund University
Introduction to Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC)
Skills you'll gain: High Voltage, Equipment Design, Machine Controls, Semiconductors, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanics, Science and Research, Experimentation, Simulation and Simulation Software, General Science and Research
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
198 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California, Irvine
Programming for the Internet of Things Project
Skills you'll gain: Test Planning, Embedded Software, Embedded Systems, Functional Requirement, Requirements Analysis, System Design and Implementation, Development Testing, Software Design, Prototyping, Systems Engineering, C and C++
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
913 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Arizona State University
Introduction to Materials Science
Skills you'll gain: Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Physical Science, Physics, Civil Engineering, Failure Analysis, Semiconductors, Electronic Components, General Science and Research
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
125 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Rice University
Fundamentals of Immunology: Inflammation, Tolerance, Autoimmunity
Skills you'll gain: Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Preventative Care, Anatomy, Life Sciences, General Medicine, Patient Treatment, Surgery
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
324 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University at Buffalo
Solar Energy Systems Overview
Skills you'll gain: Basic Electrical Systems, HVAC, Project Design, Semiconductors, Building Services Engineering, Feasibility Studies, Cost Benefit Analysis, Electronic Components, Electrical Wiring, Cost Estimation, Return On Investment, Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
838 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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

Remote Sensing Image Acquisition, Analysis and Applications: UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales)
Energy: The Enterprise: University at Buffalo
Empresa familiar: gestión, dirección y sucesión: ESADE Business and Law School
Anatomy & Physiology: Levels of Organization: Rice University
Electrodynamics: Analysis of Electric Fields: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)
Internet of Things: Sensing and Actuation From Devices: University of California San Diego
Introduction to Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Introduction to Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC): Lund University
Programming for the Internet of Things Project: University of California, Irvine
Introduction to Materials Science : Arizona State University

Physical Therapy Courses Online