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Physical Therapy
Also known as Physiotherapy
Physical
Therapy Qualifications in the United
States
Physical Therapists must have a graduate degree from an
accredited physical therapy program before taking the
national licensure examination. Most educational programs
now offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. All
states (in the United States) require physical therapists to
pass a licensure exam after graduating from an accredited
physical therapist educational program before they can
practice.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association,
there were 209 accredited physical therapist programs in
2006. Of the accredited programs, 61 offered master's
degrees, and 148 offered doctoral degrees.
Physical therapist programs start with basic science courses
such as biology, chemistry, and physics, and then introduce
specialized courses such as kinesiology, biomechanics,
neuroanatomy, human growth and development, pathology,
diagnostics, physical examination techniques, and
therapeutic procedures. Besides classroom and laboratory
instruction, students receive supervised clinical education.
Physical therapist education is rigorous, so interested
students should attain superior grades in high school and
college, especially in science courses. Courses useful when
applying to physical therapist educational programs include
anatomy, biology, chemistry, social science, mathematics,
and physics. Before granting admission, many professional
education programs require experience as a volunteer in a
physical therapy department of a hospital or clinic.
Physical therapists should have strong interpersonal skills
to successfully educate patients about their physical
therapy treatments. They should also be compassionate and
possess a desire to help patients. Similar traits are also
needed to interact with the patient's family.
Physical therapists are expected to continue professional
development by participating in continuing education courses
and workshops. A number of States require continuing
education to maintain licensure.
Many physical therapists pursue board certification in one
of seven specialty areas (orthopedic, pediatric,
neurological, sports, electrophysiological, geriatric, and
cardio-pulmonary.) Board certified specialists have
demonstrated expertise in the clinical content area.
History of
physiotherapy
Physiotherapy has its origins in ancient times with the
advent of manipulation and massage in China circa 3000 BC.
Hippocrates in 460 BC described massage and hydrotherapy. In
1894 the British Medical Journal (BMJ) raised concerns about
the practices of some masseuses and masseurs who were
offering massage as a euphemism for sex. The BMJ called for
an institution to be formed to regulate massage practice.
The Society of Trained Masseuses was formed by well-meaning
nurses and midwives who were keen to see their massage
practices authenticated.
Quickly, the English example was followed by many other
countries which adopted practices and regulatory systems
suitable for their local conditions. In America, Australia,
Canada and New Zealand 'authentic' massage became synonymous
with a discrete body of treatment modalities including
electrotherapy (and later actinotherapy - the application of
heat and light for healing purposes), remedial gymnastic
exercise and, of course, massage and manipulation.
A concern to provide an authentic alternative to the massage
parlors, and a desire to court medical approval, saw early
physiotherapy pioneers adopt a biomechanical view of the
body in health and illness - something that dominates the
physiotherapy 'philosophy' even to this day.
Massage became a vital service in both world wars and much
was learned through the rehabilitation of injured servicemen
from these unfortunate events. Physiotherapy grew rapidly
after the First World War with spinal injury units,
orthopedic hospitals and chest clinics providing new
challenges to the profession.
In many countries, physiotherapy has become the largest
allied health profession, and third only behind medicine and
nursing in the number of graduating health care students.
**
The above Information
was obtained
from
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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