Personal Trainer Certification

Congratulations! You’ve made the choice to enter the rapidly growing field of physical therapy. With a job outlook of very good as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and competitive salary and benefits packages, it’s safe to say you’ve made the right choice. Now, comes the hard part—choosing a school and program that fits your personality, academic needs, and long-term career goals. This is an important decision that may determine some major aspects of your life—where you live, what type of environment you will work in, how you spend the majority of your day, and how much money you’ll bring home—so it’s not one to take lightly. Here are some key questions to consider when making a decision:

What are your short and long-term goals?

Do you want to be a physical therapy aide, associate, or licensed physical therapist? Are your short and long-term goals similar, or do you want to leave your options open for future advancement? The answers to these questions will help you decide what type of program and school is best-suited to your chosen career path.

For example, if you’d like to become a physical therapy aide, you may wish to attend a few courses at a community college to get a feel for what the career field is like, and then contact some nursing homes or doctors’ offices to inquire about possible on-the-job training opportunities. On the other hand, if you wish to pursue a career as a physical therapy assistant or licensed physical therapist, you will need to enroll in an accredited program at a community college or university.

What can you afford?

No matter what your specific career goals are, you’ll want to ensure that you attend the most reputable, top-quality school you can get into for the money. The better the school is, the more appealing you will be to potential employers. At the same time, you will need to weigh this benefit against the amount of money you will need to borrow to pay your tuition. Consider how much money you will likely make when you graduate and determine how much you will be able to devote to monthly loan payments. Many schools have financial aid advisors who can help you make these important decisions.

Do you prefer a big or small school?

Although many prospective students tend to think bigger is better, this is not always the case. There are many reputable schools that offer smaller class sizes and more individual instruction for those who desire this type of setting. If you don’t feel comfortable in large groups or feel that you may need one-on-one instruction from your professors, then a small school may be right for you. On the other hand, if you like to blend in to the crowd and can learn fairly independently, then you may want to consider a school with a larger student body.

Does the school match your personality and individual preferences?

There is more to choosing a school that fits your personality than simply choosing a large or small one. The best—and perhaps only—w ay to ensure that a particular school is a good match for you is by actually visiting the school and observing some classes. Many schools offer tours for prospective students. Call the school’s main office and make an appointment if necessary. Plan ahead and make a list of things you’d like to observe about the school. For instance, are the other students friendly? Do they appear studious and serious about their career goals? What are the professors like? Do they invite questions and student discussion, or is lecturing the most popular instructional method? Weigh your findings against what you know about your own characteristics and learning styles to determine if the school environment is right for you.

Do you want to attend classes on campus or online?

Yes, believe it or not, there are online physical therapy degree programs, and the idea of studying at home is certainly appealing, but there are some important things to consider when deciding whether to telecommute to class. Physical therapy by its very nature is a hands-on career field. Keep this important point in mind, and decide whether you will be able to learn the interactive nature of the job through a computer screen. It’s also important to consider that many potential employers may prefer a candidate with the kind of hands-on experience you can only get from an on-campus experience. On the other hand, if you are home-bound for any reason and an online school is your only option, there are many accredited programs to consider. Before choosing an online school, make sure that it offers the particular program you are looking for. For example, Penn Foster Career School offers certificate programs for those wishing to become physical therapy aides, while A.T. Still University of Health Sciences offers a full doctoral program for those interested in becoming licensed physical therapists.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve made your career choice and considered all of your educational options, it’s time to choose a school and program that will result in a satisfying academic experience and the credentials you need to make a difference in the growing field of physical therapy, whether you choose to work in a nursing home, hospital, home health care setting, or private practice.

References

Physical Therapy Assistants and Aides. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos167.htm.

Although traditionally, physical therapy was recommended for those patients suffering from musculoskeletal conditions, physical therapy now offers treatment options for individuals affected by a variety of disabilities and disorders including neurological and cardiopulmonary conditions among many others.  According to the American Physical Therapy Association, most states allow individuals to select their own therapist, even without a doctor’s referral. If you’ve chosen to pursue physical therapy as a primary treatment method or as an enhancement to your current care plan, there are some things you should consider before choosing a specialist.

• Check with your insurance company. Certain insurance policies have different regulations regarding what type of care you can be reimbursed for and who can administer it. Unless you want to get stuck with the bill, you will be well-advised to check with your particular company to see if they cover the type of physical therapy you require, and if they have a list of providers you are required to choose from. If so, you will be limited in your freedom to choose your own therapist, but you can still work within these parameters to ensure that you receive the best care possible.

• Find a specialist. Not all physical therapists are alike. Some specialize in treating certain age groups (i.e. pediatrics and geriatrics) while others specialize in specific medical conditions (i.e. orthopedic, neurological, cardiology, etc.). Therefore, it’s important to make sure you choose a therapist who has experience working with individuals with problems similar to your own.

• Choose your setting. Although we typically think of physical therapy being administered in a rehabilitation facility, there are actually a variety of different settings in which patients can receive care. For instance, you may choose to visit a private doctor’s office, clinic, hospital, or even receive your treatments in the comfort of your own home. If the setting in which you practice your physical therapy is an important consideration for you, then you will need to choose your therapist accordingly. Not all therapists make home visits or have their own practices, for instance.

• Do your research. Before choosing a physical therapist, do some informal research to ensure that you select one who is knowledgeable, experienced, and has a good track-record with patients. There are several ways to find out about a therapist’s reputation and background. You can begin by asking around; your family and friends may be able to refer you to a therapist they’ve seen and had a positive experience with. You can also ask your general practitioner for a referral. This may be a good option for you if you have been seeing your primary care doctor for a while and trust his opinion. In addition to word-of-mouth methods, you can also go online to find a therapist’s credentials, experience, and even individual patient reviews.

• Go in for a consultation. Like most things in life, you’ll never really know whether a physical therapist is right for you until you see for yourself. Some physical therapists offer a preliminary consultation completely free of charge. When you go in for this initial visit, make it your goal to observe the therapist’s demeanor and personality. These characteristics will be important in ensuring that you will be comfortable working with this person and can communicate with him or her effectively. You will also want to ask some targeted questions about the therapist’s treatment protocols and overall philosophy. If his beliefs correspond with your own, you might have a good match. If not, it’s probably a good idea to look elsewhere.

• Find out who will be administering your care. If you choose a private doctor’s office or clinic, it is likely that the therapist himself will be working with you directly as you receive your physical therapy treatments. However, if you choose a larger setting such as a hospital or rehabilitation facility, chances are you may be receiving your care from a physical therapy assistant instead. Assistants are trained professionals and there are many good ones, but they are not licensed. If it turns out that an assistant will be your primary care-giver, then make sure that your sessions will be supervised by the licensed therapist in charge.

Whatever your specific disability or condition, finding a knowledgeable, experienced, and personable therapist who shares your concerns as well as your vision for recovery is the first step towards achieving your personal goals—whether they be to become more mobile, independent, or pain-free.

References

American Association of Physical Therapy. http://www.apta.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

The field of physical therapy has undergone quite a transformation in the last few decades. Traditionally thought to be only for sports injuries or post-surgical rehabilitation, the field of physical therapy has expanded to encompass treatment of just about any physical, and even neurological or cardiopulmonary ailment you can think of. Just about anyone can benefit to some extent from what physical therapy has to offer. The question is: do the benefits outweigh the sacrifices for your particular situation?  Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you are considering beginning a physical therapy regimen.

What are your chief complaints?

All of us have aches and pains now and then, some more severe than others. Some of us have medical conditions that impair our ability to move around and perform daily activities. The first step toward deciding whether you are a good candidate for physical therapy is to evaluate your health. Ask yourself the following questions: Are you as mobile and active as you would like to be? Do you experience pain that limits your daily functioning or quality of life? Do you wish that you could do more things on your own and not have to rely on others? If you answered yes to any of these questions, there’s a good chance that you could benefit from physical therapy.

How committed are you to achieving your goals?

It is certainly wonderful to have goals such as becoming more mobile, independent, or pain-free, but before beginning a program of physical therapy, you need to take an honest inventory of your commitment to achieving these goals. How much time and effort are you willing to invest?

Physical therapy is far from an easy fix. It can be painful, exhausting, time-consuming, and expensive, and like anything else, you will get from it what you are willing to put in. If you are truly sick of feeling the way you do and want a new lease on life, then you are likely motivated enough to do what it takes to achieve the desired results. If not, then don’t waste your time, energy, or money.

Have others suffering from your condition benefited from PT?

Although most physical therapists would say that anyone can benefit from physical therapy, it is the patients themselves who can offer the most accurate insight into what, if any, gains were made as a result of physical therapy treatments. Therefore, it may be a good idea to talk to other people suffering from the same condition you are who have undergone physical therapy.

These personal testimonies can help you determine whether PT is likely to help you. In addition to talking to people you know, you may consider conducting an Internet search to locate online testimonies and further information about the therapy methods used to certain conditions. Physical therapy is most commonly used to treat both minor and major orthopedic conditions, neurological disorders that affect balance and mobility, pediatric and geriatric conditions that inhibit independence, as well as some cardiopulmonary conditions. Find out if your condition falls into one of these categories, and then look for a specialist.

Does your doctor recommend it?

Talk to a general practitioner, preferably a trusted one, and ask him his opinion as to whether or not you would benefit from physical therapy. If you have been seeing this particular doctor for a while, he may know your condition better than anyone and be able to provide you with some knowledgeable advice. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to take it. You are the definitive expert on your own body and ultimately, the decision is yours. If you believe physical therapy is for you, schedule a consultation with a specialist and discuss your treatment options.

Can you afford it?

Sometimes it’s hard to be practical when your health is at stake, but if you’re thinking about seeing a physical therapist, it might be a good idea to consider what it’s going to cost you. The good news is that most insurance policies cover physical therapy, but there are stipulations. Your particular policy may or may not cover physical therapy for the condition you suffer from, or it may only cover some of the costs. Moreover, there may be a specific list of therapists your policy requires you to see. Call your insurance company, or visit their website to find the answers to these questions. It’s a good idea to be informed before putting your finances on the line.

The question of whether or not to begin physical therapy is a personal one, but the more informed you are about your own situation as well as how physical therapy is used to treat your particular condition, the more likely you are to make the right decision.

References

Do I Need Physical Therapy? About.com. Retrieved from http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/WhoneedsPT.htm.