Physical Therapy Personnel
Field of Study — Therapy
Physical therapists evaluate, plan and administer physical therapy programs to restore function, relieve pain and prevent disability following disease, injury or loss of a body part. Physical therapist assistants help administer tests and treatment programs under the direction of physical therapists. Physical therapy aides perform routine tasks to assist the physical therapy team.
Physical therapists:
- develop individualized physical therapy programs for patients based on referrals from physicians, a review of medical records, examination and evaluation of the patient.
- administer therapeutic exercises to improve or maintain muscle function.
- instruct and motivate patients.
- administer treatments involving light, heat, water and electricity.
- evaluate the effect and duration of interventions and make any needed adjustments.
- perform therapeutic massage and joint mobilization.
- administer traction to relieve neck and back pain.
- instruct patients and families in physical therapy procedures to be used at home.
- train patients to use prosthetic and orthotic devices and recommend modifications.
- interact and practice in collaboration with a variety of professionals, including physicians, social workers, nurses, psychologists and other therapists.
- work with employers to prevent on-the-job injury and to facilitate the return to work of injured employees.
- facilitate functional recovery in patients after suffering a stroke.
- facilitate motor development in children in the school system.
- help heart patients regain full quality of life.
Physical therapists may specialize in sports physical therapy, orthopedics, pediatrics, clinical electrophysiological testing, geriatrics, hand rehabilitation, oncology, women’s health, neurology and cardiopulmonary therapy. Many also consult and/or engage in research, education, administration and community health.
Physical therapists work with physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, speech therapists and other specialists. Some are in private practice, while others work in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, physicians’ offices, schools for the handicapped, nursing homes, colleges and universities, research labs and government agencies.
Educational Requirements
Students interested in becoming physical therapists should take challenging high school courses in science, math and English.
Three physical therapy programs in Virginia award the degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). The other two Virginia programs are at a master’s level. To be a licensed physical therapist, a student must graduate from an accredited college or university and pass an exam. Licensed physical therapist assistants must graduate from an approved two-year college program for physical therapy assistants and pass an examination.
Educational Institutions
Virginia Colleges and Universities
Hampton University College of Health, College of Health
James Madison University
Jefferson College of Health Sciences
Marymount University
Old Dominion University College of Health Sciences
Shenandoah University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Community Colleges
Northern Virginia Community College, Medical Education Center
Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach Campus
Wytheville Community College
Virginia Hospitals and Health Care Facilities
Augusta Health Care, Inc., School of Clinical Lab Science
Greensville Memorial Hospital
Medicorp Health System
Rockingham Memorial Hospital
Twin County Regional Hospital
Winchester Medical Center
Virginia Vocational Schools
Professional Associations
- American Physical Therapy Association
1111 N. Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
1-800-999-2782
http://www.apta.org - Virginia Physical Therapy Association
1111 N. Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
1-800-999-2782, ext. 3235
http://www.vpta.org