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

Arizona State University
Fundamentals of Semiconductor Characterization
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Electronic Components, Basic Electrical Systems, Estimation
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
38 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
EV Evolution: Comprehensive Introduction to EVs
Skills you'll gain: Basic Electrical Systems, Electronic Components, Power Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Emerging Technologies, High Voltage, Engineering, Environment, Market Trend, Manufacturing and Production
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Arizona State University
Electrical Properties and Semiconductors
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Basic Electrical Systems, Electronic Components, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Systems
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Packt
Networking Fundamentals and Physical Networks
Skills you'll gain: OSI Models, Network Troubleshooting, Network Model, TCP/IP, Network Protocols, Networking Hardware, Local Area Networks, General Networking, Network Architecture, Computer Networking, Network Infrastructure, Hardware Troubleshooting, Network Switches
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Università di Napoli Federico II
A quick tour on Big Data and Business Intelligence
Skills you'll gain: NoSQL, Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive, Big Data, Database Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Distributed Computing, Data Processing, Scalability, Business Intelligence
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
21 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Circuitos con SPICE: Fundamentos de los circuitos eléctricos
Skills you'll gain: Basic Electrical Systems, Electronic Components, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Systems, Engineering Analysis, Schematic Diagrams, Simulation and Simulation Software, Engineering Calculations, Mathematical Modeling
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
L&T EduTech
Utilities, Safety & Environmental Care in Oil & Gas Industry
Skills you'll gain: Safety Assurance, Accident Prevention, Environment and Resource Management, Environment, Electrical Safety, Environmental Issue, Plant Operations and Management, Waste Minimization, Fire And Life Safety, Risk Analysis, Natural Resource Management, Failure Mode And Effects Analysis, Pollution Prevention, Water Resources, Process Control, Process Engineering, Breakage Control
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
31 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Politecnico di Milano
Modelling and measuring the Energy Transition
Skills you'll gain: Product Lifecycle Management, Mathematical Modeling, Analysis, Economic Development, Environmental Issue, Environment and Resource Management, Engineering Analysis, Data Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Process Analysis, Environment, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Manipulation, Scenario Testing, Open Source Technology, Computer Programming
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
L&T EduTech
Design Basics of RCC Buildings
Skills you'll gain: Architectural Drawing, Blueprint Reading, Structural Engineering, Structural Analysis, Engineering Drawings, Building Design, Engineering Documentation, Construction Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Practices, Engineering Calculations
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
30 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Rice University
Physics 102 - AC Circuits and Maxwell's Equations
Skills you'll gain: Basic Electrical Systems, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Engineering Analysis, Engineering Calculations, Mathematical Modeling, Applied Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics, Electronic Components, Calculus, Differential Equations, Integral Calculus, Trigonometry, Derivatives
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
31 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)
Particle Dynamics
Skills you'll gain: Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Analysis, Physics, Engineering Calculations, Differential Equations, Integral Calculus, Calculus, Applied Mathematics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Rice University
Physics 102 - Magnetic Fields and Faraday's Law
Skills you'll gain: Torque (Physics), Physics, Electrical Engineering, Basic Electrical Systems, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Calculations, Mechanics, Calculus, Engineering Analysis, Trigonometry
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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

Fundamentals of Semiconductor Characterization: Arizona State University
EV Evolution: Comprehensive Introduction to EVs: Coursera Instructor Network
Electrical Properties and Semiconductors: Arizona State University
Networking Fundamentals and Physical Networks: Packt
A quick tour on Big Data and Business Intelligence: Università di Napoli Federico II
Circuitos con SPICE: Fundamentos de los circuitos eléctricos: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Utilities, Safety & Environmental Care in Oil & Gas Industry: L&T EduTech
Modelling and measuring the Energy Transition: Politecnico di Milano
Design Basics of RCC Buildings: L&T EduTech
Physics 102 - AC Circuits and Maxwell's Equations: Rice University

Physical Therapy Courses Online