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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Arizona State University
Primary and Secondary Batteries
Skills you'll gain: Basic Electrical Systems, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Thermal Management, Market Analysis, Reliability, Market Trend, Product Testing, Performance Testing, Manufacturing Processes
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
70 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
循序渐进练瑜伽
Skills you'll gain: Injury Prevention, Kinesiology, Physical Therapy, Stress Management, Constructive Feedback, Accident Prevention, Personal Development, Self-Discipline, Respiration, Vital Signs, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Mental Concentration
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Arizona State University
Semiconductor Characterization
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Electronic Components, Failure Analysis, Basic Electrical Systems, Electrical Engineering, Structural Analysis, Manufacturing Processes, Process Control, Process Analysis, Engineering Analysis, Spatial Analysis, Systems Of Measurement, Data Analysis Software, Science and Research, Estimation, Physics, Experimentation, General Science and Research, Simulations
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
65 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Control Systems Analysis: Modeling of Dynamic Systems
Skills you'll gain: Process Control, Mathematical Modeling, Engineering Analysis, Differential Equations, Engineering Calculations, Systems Analysis, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanics, Applied Mathematics, Performance Testing, Electrical Engineering, Basic Electrical Systems
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
42 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Transistor - Field Effect Transistor and Bipolar Junction Transistor
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Electronic Components, Electronic Systems, Electrical Engineering, Basic Electrical Systems
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
84 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica
Introdução ao Controle Moderno
Skills you'll gain: Matlab, Engineering Analysis, Simulations, Systems Analysis, Systems Engineering, System Design and Implementation, Mathematical Modeling, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Estimation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
50 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Basic Robotic Behaviors and Odometry
Skills you'll gain: Machine Controls, Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Mechanics, Simulation and Simulation Software, Engineering, Experimentation, Virtual Environment, Engineering Analysis, Estimation
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
44 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
MathWorks
Image Segmentation, Filtering, and Region Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Image Analysis, Matlab, Computer Vision, Spatial Analysis, 3D Modeling, Visualization (Computer Graphics)
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
45 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Dartmouth College
Question Reality: Cosmos
Skills you'll gain: Scientific Methods, Science and Research, Physics, Physical Science, Experimentation, Research, Mechanics, Deductive Reasoning
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
22 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
École Polytechnique
Vers l'infiniment grand - Voyages de l'infiniment grand à l'infiniment petit
Skills you'll gain: Physics, General Science and Research, Physical Science, Science and Research, Simulations
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
53 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Aspectos conceptuales y operativos de la Telesalud
Skills you'll gain: Telecommuting, Patient Education and Support, Health Care, Patient Treatment, Health Systems, Technical Communication, Direct Patient Care, Motivational Interviewing, Virtual Environment, Digital Communications, Innovation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Florida
Agroforestry
Skills you'll gain: Land Management, Environment and Resource Management, Water Resources, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Issue, Environment, Plant Operations and Management, Systems Thinking, Environmental Management Systems, Scientific Methods, Cultural Diversity, Spatial Analysis, General Science and Research, Mitigation, Research, Socioeconomics, Science and Research
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
65 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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

Primary and Secondary Batteries: Arizona State University
循序渐进练瑜伽: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Semiconductor Characterization: Arizona State University
Control Systems Analysis: Modeling of Dynamic Systems: University of Colorado Boulder
Transistor - Field Effect Transistor and Bipolar Junction Transistor: University of Colorado Boulder
Introdução ao Controle Moderno: Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica
Basic Robotic Behaviors and Odometry : University of Colorado Boulder
Image Segmentation, Filtering, and Region Analysis: MathWorks
Question Reality: Cosmos: Dartmouth College
Vers l'infiniment grand - Voyages de l'infiniment grand à l'infiniment petit: École Polytechnique

Physical Therapy Courses Online