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

Arizona State University
Rapid Prototyping Using 3D Printing
Skills you'll gain: Engineering Design Process, Prototyping, Engineering Drawings, Product Design, Product Development, Product Testing, Hardware Design, 3D Modeling, Mockups, Industrial Design, New Product Development, Computer-Aided Design, Usability Testing, Design Specifications, Manufacturing Processes, Cost Estimation, Design, Ideation, User Feedback, Electronic Components
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
82 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
École Polytechnique
Quantum Optics 2 - Two photons and more
Skills you'll gain: Emerging Technologies, Cryptography, Simulation and Simulation Software, Physics, Technical Communication, Research, Algorithms, Mathematical Modeling
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
125 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Kinetics: Studying Spacecraft Motion
Skills you'll gain: Vibrations, Mechanics, Torque (Physics), Engineering Calculations, Engineering Analysis, Differential Equations, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Simulation and Simulation Software, Applied Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Physics, Calculus
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
132 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sustainability Consulting
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Sustainability Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Consulting, Business Consulting, Environmental Management Systems, Product Lifecycle Management, Environment, Technical Consulting, Analysis, Technical Standard
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
69 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
École Polytechnique
Optique non-linéaire
Skills you'll gain: Numerical Analysis, Engineering Calculations, Simulation and Simulation Software, Engineering Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Image Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Differential Equations, Physics, Advanced Mathematics, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Experimentation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
56 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
United Cities and Local Governments of Africa
Planning for Climate Change in African Cities
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Policy, Mitigation, Policy Analysis, Natural Resource Management, Decision Support Systems, Environment, Environment and Resource Management, Governance, Vulnerability, Systems Thinking, Socioeconomics, Spatial Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
125 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Electrónica en cápsulas
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Electronic Systems, Electronic Components, Basic Electrical Systems, Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, Engineering Design Process, Schematic Diagrams, Performance Testing, Computational Logic, Mathematical Modeling, Engineering Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
178 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Università di Napoli Federico II
Autonomous Vehicle Engineering
Skills you'll gain: NoSQL, Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive, Big Data, Machine Controls, Simulation and Simulation Software, Database Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Vision, Systems Architecture, Process Control, Distributed Computing, Simulations, Data Processing, Experimentation, Matlab, Technical Design, Vibrations, Global Positioning Systems
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
55 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Rice University
Physics of Waves and Optics
Skills you'll gain: Physics, Mechanics, Engineering Calculations, Vibrations, Applied Mathematics, Physical Science, Engineering Analysis, Trigonometry, Mathematical Modeling, Advanced Mathematics, Differential Equations, Calculus, Linear Algebra
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
The University of Edinburgh
Learning for a Sustainable Future: Live at COP28
Skills you'll gain: Discussion Facilitation, Environmental Issue, Environment, Research, Liberal Arts, Student Engagement, Environmental Policy, Community Development, Advocacy, Education and Training, Cultural Diversity, International Relations, Social Justice
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
124 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Digitalisation in Space Research
Skills you'll gain: Global Positioning Systems, Digital Transformation, Environmental Monitoring, Aerospace Basic Quality System Standards, Manufacturing and Production, Geospatial Information and Technology, Image Analysis, Big Data, Industrial Engineering, Production Process, Cybersecurity, Spatial Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Cloud Services, Technology Strategies, Data Storage
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
94 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Design of High-Performance Optical Systems
Skills you'll gain: Engineering Calculations, Technical Design, Image Analysis, Engineering Analysis, Design Software, Mathematical Modeling, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Design Process, Physics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
47 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months