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

University of Florida
Agroforestry III: Principles of Plant and Soil Management
Skills you'll gain: Land Management, Environment and Resource Management, Plant Operations and Management, Water Resources, Natural Resource Management, Environment
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Arizona State University
Foundational Sustainability Skills & Competencies
Skills you'll gain: Plan Execution, Sustainability Reporting, Contract Management, Policy Development, Annual Reports, Goal Setting, Corporate Sustainability, Strategic Partnership, Interactive Learning, Peer Review, Business Reporting, Stakeholder Management, Document Control
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Florida
Agroforestry IV: Climate, Carbon Storage and Agroforestry
Skills you'll gain: Land Management, Environment and Resource Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Issue, Environment, Systems Thinking, Research
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Johns Hopkins University
Using Sensors With Your Raspberry Pi
Skills you'll gain: Data Processing, Technical Design, Systems Design, Data Science, Electronic Systems, Data Cleansing, Data Analysis Software, Statistical Methods, NumPy, Data Validation, Engineering Tolerance, Probability & Statistics, Statistics, Mathematical Modeling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Dartmouth College
The Basics of Libertarian Free Will
Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Research, Scientific Methods, Science and Research
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
L&T EduTech
FPGA Architecture Based System for Industrial Application
Skills you'll gain: Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Hardware Design, Serial Peripheral Interface, Internet Of Things, Embedded Systems, Electronic Systems, Network Protocols, Digital Communications, Computer Architecture, Software Development Tools, System Design and Implementation, Simulation and Simulation Software, Verification And Validation
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Arizona State University
Sustainability Challenges for the Planet and Employers
Skills you'll gain: Sustainability Reporting, Waste Minimization, Interactive Learning, Corporate Sustainability, Environment, Environmental Issue, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Environmental Monitoring, Environment and Resource Management, Pollution Prevention, Goal Setting, Performance Measurement, Architecture and Construction, Business Priorities, Peer Review
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universidad de los Andes
Análisis estático lineal y no lineal de estructuras
Skills you'll gain: Structural Analysis, Structural Engineering, Engineering Analysis, Civil Engineering, Finite Element Methods, Numerical Analysis, Programming Principles, Python Programming, NumPy
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Golf Course Management: Best Practices
Skills you'll gain: Landscape Architecture, Construction Management, Plant Operations and Management, Architectural Design, Water Resources, Environment and Resource Management, Facility Management and Maintenance
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Florida
Agroforestry V: Ecosystem Services, Food and Sustainability
Skills you'll gain: Land Management, Water Resources, Environment and Resource Management, Environment, Natural Resource Management, Systems Thinking, Scientific Methods
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
16 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Northeastern University
Intro to Finance in Healthcare
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Statements, Depreciation, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Financial Analysis, Expense Management, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Cost Management, Health Care, Medicare, Pharmaceuticals, Revenue Management, Insurance
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
L&T EduTech
Modelling, Analysis and Design of Steel Buildings
Skills you'll gain: Structural Engineering, Structural Analysis, Building Design, Architectural Engineering, Civil and Architectural Engineering, Computer-Aided Design, Failure Analysis, Engineering Calculations, 3D Modeling, Engineering Design Process, Engineering Software, Engineering Drawings, Technical Standard
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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

Agroforestry III: Principles of Plant and Soil Management: University of Florida
Foundational Sustainability Skills & Competencies: Arizona State University
Agroforestry IV: Climate, Carbon Storage and Agroforestry: University of Florida
Using Sensors With Your Raspberry Pi: Johns Hopkins University
The Basics of Libertarian Free Will: Dartmouth College
FPGA Architecture Based System for Industrial Application : L&T EduTech
Sustainability Challenges for the Planet and Employers: Arizona State University
Análisis estático lineal y no lineal de estructuras: Universidad de los Andes
Golf Course Management: Best Practices: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Agroforestry V: Ecosystem Services, Food and Sustainability: University of Florida

Physical Therapy Courses Online