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.

Top Physical Therapy Courses - Learn Physical Therapy Online

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Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

Status: Free
University of Rochester
Confronting The Big Questions: Highlights of Modern Astronomy
Skills you'll gain: Physics, Physical Science, Life Sciences, Biology, Environment, General Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Systems Of Measurement, Chemistry
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
493 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Understanding Modern Physics I: Relativity and Cosmology
Skills you'll gain: Physics, Calculus, Mechanics, Physical Science, Advanced Mathematics, Energy and Utilities, Mathematical Modeling
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
154 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University at Buffalo
Solar Energy and Electrical System Design
Skills you'll gain: Electrical Systems, HVAC, Building Design, Basic Electrical Systems, Electrical Safety, Engineering Calculations, Architectural Design, System Requirements, Building Codes, Structural Analysis, Cost Estimation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
703 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Georgia Institute of Technology
Materials Data Sciences and Informatics
Skills you'll gain: Dimensionality Reduction, Data Science, Data Mining, Data Integration, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Information Management, Data Processing, Manufacturing Processes, Engineering Analysis, Process Engineering, Big Data, Chemical Engineering, Predictive Modeling, Innovation, Probability & Statistics
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
344 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado System
Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care
Skills you'll gain: Care Management, Hospice, Patient Evaluation, Treatment Planning, Patient Treatment, Patient Safety, Pharmacology, Medication Therapy Management, Patient Education And Counseling, Health Assessment, Physical Therapy, Mindfulness
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
184 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Semiconductor Physics
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Components, Physics, Electronics, Differential Equations, Applied Mathematics
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
291 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Economie du sol et de l'immobilier I
Skills you'll gain: Real Estate, Property and Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Real Estate Transactions, Return On Investment, Capital Budgeting, Market Dynamics, Financial Analysis, Financial Market, Business Valuation, Economics, Investments, Finance, Supply And Demand, Price Negotiation, Depreciation, Cost Benefit Analysis, Lease Contracts, Competitive Analysis, Decision Making
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
260 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
National Taiwan University
3D CAD Application
Skills you'll gain: SketchUp (3D Modeling Software), 3D Modeling, Construction, Building Design, Architectural Drawing, Architecture and Construction, Computer-Aided Design
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
158 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Toronto
Spatial Analysis and Satellite Imagery in a GIS
Skills you'll gain: Geographic Information Systems, GIS Software, Spatial Analysis, Spatial Data Analysis, Geospatial Mapping, Query Languages, Data Processing, Data Manipulation, Image Analysis, Data Integration
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
613 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Electrones en Acción: Electrónica y Arduinos para tus propios Inventos
Skills you'll gain: Basic Electrical Systems, Electronics, Electronic Systems, Electronic Hardware, Electronic Components, Control Systems, Hardware Design, Embedded Systems, Programming Principles, Computer Programming
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.5K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Explorando la Energía Sustentable
Skills you'll gain: Energy and Utilities, Systems Of Measurement, Environmental Issue, Environmental Resource Management, Mitigation, Natural Resource Management, Environment, Physics, Economic Development, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Mathematical Modeling, Electric Power Systems
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
724 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
National Academy of Sports Medicine
NASM Personal Fitness Trainer Exam Preparation
Skills you'll gain: Nutrition and Diet, Kinesiology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Automated External Defibrillator, Rehabilitation, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Physical Therapy, Orthopedics, Self-Motivation, Injury Prevention, Motivational Skills, Anatomy, Goal Setting, Respiration, Stress Management
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular physical therapy courses

Confronting The Big Questions: Highlights of Modern Astronomy: University of Rochester
Understanding Modern Physics I: Relativity and Cosmology: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Solar Energy and Electrical System Design: University at Buffalo
Materials Data Sciences and Informatics: Georgia Institute of Technology
Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care: University of Colorado System
Semiconductor Physics: University of Colorado Boulder
Economie du sol et de l'immobilier I: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
3D CAD Application: National Taiwan University
Spatial Analysis and Satellite Imagery in a GIS: University of Toronto
Electrones en Acción: Electrónica y Arduinos para tus propios Inventos: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Physical Therapy Courses Online