Facts About Physical Therapists

Physical therapists (PT) work with people who suffer from injuries or illnesses that impair their mobility. PTs help these people limit pain, regain movement or improve function in limbs that are damaged. According to Salary, the average salary of a physical therapist is about $70,000 per year.

Function

• A PT helps her patient by developing a plan to not only improve movement but increase overall fitness and health. PTs work with people of all ages to improve the overall quality of life. People who see a PT often suffer from broken bones, back injuries, arthritis, neurological diseases and many other afflictions. After examining the patient, the PT will then develop a plan tailored to the specific person and the nature of his injury or disease.

Job Details

• According to U.S. Department of Labor, most PTs work in hospitals, private offices or outpatient clinics. Most PTs work at least 40 hours a week, and the job can be physically demanding as the PT is often required to not only crouch and kneel but lift and move heavy patients and equipment. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were 185,500 practicing PTs in the country in 2008, but there are probably more who don't practice full-time.

Training

• In order to become a PT, a post-baccalaureate degree from a physical therapy program as well as passing scores on state and national exams are required, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2009, people interested in becoming a PT had more than 200 programs to choose from across the country. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, most master's degree programs in physical therapy take about two years, while a doctorate program can take three.