An Online Degree in Physical Therapy
Physical therapists, says an editorial in PT Magazine, are good people to know. They understand the interaction of all your body parts. With their hands they examine, diagnose, and treat your pain or problem. Then they teach you self care.They show you how to exercise and strengthen your body to gain back mobility and prevent the injury from happening again. You'll find them advising on proper posture and body motion in the work place, treating injuries, consulting on fitness, and administering physical therapy in the home.
Today, physical therapists provide help for every part of the body to everyone from infants to the elderly - more than one million people every day!
An online degree in physical therapy from an accredited physical therapy school can prepare you for a licensure exam, which you must pass before you can begin practice. About two-thirds of physical therapists work in hospitals or a physical therapist group office.
New Opportunities in Occupational Therapy
More good healthcare opportunities are in occupational therapy. Occupational therapists (OTs) help people improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling. They also help them to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills.Occupational therapists aid clients in not only improving their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also compensating for permanent loss of function. Their goal is to help clients have independent, productive, and satisfying lives.
The Future of Physical Therapy
The number of occupational therapist jobs is expected to increase as America's population ages. An online degree from an accredited school can help you prepare. Distance learning from almost any PC can help you accommodate your current commitments at home and work. Occupational therapy is a flexible job; more than a quarter of OT's work part time.Sources:
- Physical Therapists: Occupational Outlook Handbook <http://bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm>
- American Physical Therapy Association: <http://www.apta.org/Consumer/whatisPT>
- Occupational Therapists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: <http://bls.gov/oco/ocos078.htm>
