This paper addresses the issues of a career in ph

Physical therapy can be a very rewarding career because the therapist deals daily with people who are permanently or temporarily disabled. A physical therapist has the opportunity to make a positive difference in the quality of peoples' lives, in many cases restoring their independence and their ability to return to work, or at least lead a productive and satisfying life ("A Hands-on", 1998; "The Physical Therapist", 1992). The physical therapist assists in the recovery process - making the patients stronger, relieving their pain, and helping them to regain use of an affected limb, or to relearn activities of daily living such as walking, dressing, or bathing. Physical therapy takes a personal and direct approach to meeting an individual's health needs and wants, whether it is walking independently or triumphing in sports.

Therapists work in such places as clinics, hospitals, schools for the handicapped, private offices, home health agencies, and nursing homes. They may be self-employed in private practices, either providing services to individual patients or they may contract to pr

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, and endurance. Physical therapists also use electrical stimulation, hot packs or cold compresses, and ultrasound to relieve pain and reduce swelling. They may use traction or deep-tissue massage to relieve pain. Therapists also teach patients to use assistive and adaptive devices such as crutches, prostheses, and wheelchairs. As treatment continues, physical therapists are required to document progress, conduct periodic examinations, and modify treatments where necessary. Some physical therapists treat a wide range of ailments, whereas others specialize in specific areas. Some physical therapy procedures are most appropriately performed in hospital outpatient programs, but others are better suited for therapists in independent practice ("California", 1985, p. 59). Hospital-based programs may have staffing shortages or space limitations that prevent them from providing a full range of outpatient services. In such cases, physicians make patient referrals to independent practitioners. Patients are referred for physical therapy by a physician after he has assessed the patient's needs. Communication is essential to the healing process and the therapist must learn to listen to the physician and respect the fact that the p
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Approximate Word count = 1999
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)

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