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.

Best Physical Therapy Courses & Certificates [2025]

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University of Toronto

Managing Your Health: The Role of Physical Therapy and Exercise

Skills you'll gain: Physical Therapy, Injury Prevention, Preventative Care, Health Assessment, Rehabilitation, Chronic Diseases, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Patient Education And Counseling, Oncology

Status: Preview

University of Colorado Boulder

Science of Exercise

Skills you'll gain: Kinesiology, Nutrition and Diet, Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Preventative Care, Respiration, Anatomy, Chronic Diseases, Vital Signs, Biochemistry, Public Health, Biology, Cardiology

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The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Fundamental Sports related Musculoskeletal Anatomy

Skills you'll gain: Anatomy, Kinesiology, Orthopedics, Physical Therapy, Medical Terminology

Status: Free Trial

National Academy of Sports Medicine

NASM Personal Fitness Trainer

Skills you'll gain: Goal Setting, Kinesiology, Nutrition and Diet, Health Assessment, Nutrition Education, Preventative Care, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Patient Education And Counseling, Respiration, Train The Trainer, Chronic Diseases, Patient Evaluation, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation, Injury Prevention, Neurology, Automated External Defibrillator, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Overcoming Obstacles, Coaching

Status: Preview

University of Florida

The Science of Training Young Athletes

Skills you'll gain: Coaching, Pediatrics, Kinesiology, Child Development, Working With Children, Child Health, Biology, Anatomy, Training Programs, Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Diet, Planning

Status: Preview

Duke University

Introductory Human Physiology

Skills you'll gain: Respiration, Anatomy, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Nephrology, Urology, Kinesiology, Vital Signs, Neurology, Biology, Nutrition and Diet, Gynecology

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