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

University of Florida
The Meat We Eat
Skills you'll gain: Food Quality Assurance And Control, Cooking, Food Safety and Sanitation, Nutrition and Diet, Production Process, Environment, Manufacturing Processes, Microbiology, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Economics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
208 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Colorado Boulder
Magnetics for Power Electronic Converters
Skills you'll gain: Power Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Systems, Electronic Components, Mathematical Modeling, Engineering Analysis, Technical Design, Engineering Design Process, Engineering Calculations, Matlab
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
150 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Arizona State University
Anthropometry, Biomechanics, and Motor Skills in User Design
Skills you'll gain: Kinesiology, Human Factors, Human Factors Engineering, Physical Therapy, Mechanics, Product Design, Anatomy, User Feedback, Rehabilitation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Sustainability Consulting
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Sustainability Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Consulting, Business Consulting, Environmental Issue, Environmental Management Systems, Product Lifecycle Management, Environment, Technical Consulting, Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
78 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Energy, Environment, and Everyday Life
Skills you'll gain: Energy and Utilities, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Environment, Electric Power Systems, Economics, Physics, Natural Resource Management, Mechanics, Engineering, Chemistry, Emerging Technologies
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
220 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University at Buffalo
Digital Thread: Components
Skills you'll gain: Digital Transformation, Data Sharing, Manufacturing Operations, Business Transformation, Workflow Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Data Storage, Process Management, Information Management, Goal Setting, Data Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
809 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Stanford University
Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care
Skills you'll gain: Primary Care, Patient Education And Counseling, Care Management, Care Coordination, Oncology, Patient Treatment, Health Assessment, Patient Referral, Chronic Diseases, Long Term Care, Preventative Care, Mental Health
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
107 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Northwestern University
Modern Robotics, Course 4: Robot Motion Planning and Control
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Graph Theory, Algorithms, Virtual Environment, Simulation and Simulation Software, Mathematical Modeling, Data Structures, Linear Algebra
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
113 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
University of Pennsylvania
Calculus: Single Variable Part 3 - Integration
Skills you'll gain: Integral Calculus, Calculus, Applied Mathematics, Differential Equations, Engineering Calculations, Advanced Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
528 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Converter Control
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Power Electronics, Electronic Systems, Electrical Engineering, Systems Analysis, Electronics, Engineering Analysis, Systems Design, Plot (Graphics), Mathematical Modeling, Graphical Tools
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
644 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Rice University
Anatomy & Physiology: Exchange and Energy
Skills you'll gain: Respiration, Anatomy, Respiratory Care, Patient Evaluation, Pathology, Internal Medicine, Nutrition and Diet, Biology
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
The Museum of Modern Art
Reimagining Blackness and Architecture
Skills you'll gain: Storytelling, Public History, Community Development, Social Justice, Cultural Responsiveness, Creativity, Art History, Design, Cultural Diversity, Photography
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
72 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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

The Meat We Eat: University of Florida
Magnetics for Power Electronic Converters: University of Colorado Boulder
Anthropometry, Biomechanics, and Motor Skills in User Design: Arizona State University
Sustainability Consulting: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Energy, Environment, and Everyday Life: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Digital Thread: Components: University at Buffalo
Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care: Stanford University
Modern Robotics, Course 4: Robot Motion Planning and Control: Northwestern University
Calculus: Single Variable Part 3 - Integration: University of Pennsylvania
Converter Control: University of Colorado Boulder

Physical Therapy Courses Online