TheWorkofPhysicalTherapists

AriPolanco

EnglishIIIHonors
Mrs.Kopp
February26,2015

Polanco2

AriPolanco
EnglishIIIHonors
Mrs.Kopp
February26,2015

TheWorkofPhysicalTherapists

Physical Therapists (PTs) serve an important role in our communities by providing the
best possible care for their patients despite their circumstances or condition. This leads to a
more accurate way to diagnose the patient. It recovery as opposed to other physicians. The
career that was chosen to explore and learn about more in depth was the career of a Physical
Therapist because this occupation comes across as a very interesting topic. Physical Therapists
work closely with patients and clients to restore, maintain, and promote theiroverallfitnessand
wellness for a healthier and more active lifestyle. Patients may include accident victims and
individuals with disabling conditions such as low back pain, fractures, head injuries, arthritis,
heart disease, and similar conditions (Explore Health Careers). Physical Therapists examine
patients and develop a planof carethatpromotesmovement,reducespain,restoresfunction,and
prevents disability. The Physical Therapist works with the patient, family members, and other
healthcare providers. The goal of Physical Therapists canincludetheassuranceofaspeedyand
full recovery for the patient. With this in mind Physical Therapists work toensurethatthecare
plan exceed expectations. Working as a Physical Therapistcanoftenbephysicallydemanding.
At times this requires those to stoop kneel often, crouch, lift,andstandforlongperiodsoftime
(ExploreHealthCareers).

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NottomentionPhysicalTherapistsprovideexcellentcarefortheirpatientsandhelpthem
to a speedy recovery by providing them the necessary care other health careprofessionalsdont
provide. Today Physical Therapists recognize thedramaticimprovementofpatientswiththeuse
of techniques used since the 1920s. SomePhysicalTherapiststreatawiderangeofillnessesand
injuries others specialize in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine,
neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy (Kesler). Physical Therapists practice in
hospitals, clinics, and private offices being specially equipped. Patients can also be treated in
hospital rooms, homes, or schools depending on the patients needs (Kesler). Most physical
therapists often walk through routines and procedures that require their patient to complete
giving them a healthy recovery. Physical Therapists always a have a routine plan for each
patient despite the situation providing care to any patient who has been going through physical
limitationswhetheritbeaninjury,disabilityorillness.
Regarding the role of a Physical Therapist, the history ofphysiciansbecamewellknown
at the time of World War I (19171918). The first named rehabilitation professionals started in
the armyreconstructionaidesprovidingcaretoinjuredveteransduring thegruesomewar. These
professionals consisting of mostly womenwithbackgrounds inphysicaleducationbeing trained
by physicians and nurses (The History of Physical Therapy). Backthenphysicaltherapywasn't
a huge thing and little research was done to help the knowledge increase in the field. At that
time the educational program or physical therapy was three months in length and covered
massage andmusclereeducation. By1928theAMAorAmericanMedicalAssociation directed
the education of Physical Therapists. That year, the program required 9 months of trainingand
education of the field in order to complete. The American Medical Association continued to

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direct Physical Therapist education until 1977 (The History of Physical Therapy). Physical
Therapy evolved as a profession during the polio epidemic which lasted from 1924 until Dr.
Salk's vaccine ended it in 1956 and 27,000 people were paralyzed: 6,000 died (The History of
Physical Therapy). In the 1960's, Medicare began funding rehabilitation for those over 65 and
Medicaid provided coverage for the poor (The History of Physical Therapists). The Physical
Therapistprofession,continuestogrowandchangeinresponsetoneedofthesetherapists.While
extending funding on this particular field as well as extending research, we would be able to
discovernewwaystohelppatientsrecoverquicklyandeffectively.
One of the most renowned Physical Therapists, a man by the name of Michael A.
Keropian. Mr. Keropian was head of physical therapy from 1953 to 1985 at the former
Children's Hospital in San Francisco, now the California Campus of the California Pacific
MedicalCenter(SFGate).Afterheretiredfromthemedicalcenterhebecameaconsultant.
However Keropianwasrenownedamongofhispatients,mostofthembeingmembersof
and in the dance community. For his innovative approach and clinical skills he thenwasable to
innovate, developed, and create special bracesforpatientssufferingfrompolio(SFGate). Polio
is an infectious disease, it causes sudden muscle weaknesses then leading to inability to move
making this a life threatening disease. Heobtainedhisfirstpatent,foranorthopedichandbrace,
in 1956 (SF Gate). "Hehada greatknowledgeofmuscleanatomyand howmusclesworked,and
he could pick up deficits very quickly," said Terence Jew, a Pacific medical center supervisor
and former colleague of Mr. Keropian's (SF Gate). Rosine Bena who was an artistic director of
the Sierra Nevada Ballet in Reno and who was also a former director of the Peninsula Ballet

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Theatre School in San Mateo, collaborated with Mr. Keropian for many years on recovery
programsforpatients,aswellasspecializedexercisestohelpdancersavoidinjury.

However Physical Therapists or (PTs) consisting of healthcare professionals who

diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to elders who have medical problems
or other healthrelated conditions. Limiting their abilities to move and perform functional
activities in their daily lives (Explore Health Careers). Physical Therapists work closely with
patients and clients to restore, maintain, and promote their overall fitness and wellness towards
healthier and more active lifestyles by helping their patient complete certain tasks given. A
Physical Therapist will examine an individual and talk to them about symptoms present and
ones daily activity. He or she will then workwithyoubycreatingacustomtreatmentplan that
will help increase their patients health. The goals of thesecertainexercisespertain tohelpinga
patient's
jo
int
s function better and to restore or increase flexibility, strength, endurance,
coordination, and/or balance (WebMD). Various steps will be carried out to reduce a patient's
pain he or she encountered requiring further treatment to be carried out. First, a therapist will
try to reduce ones pain and swelling by carrying out different forms of therapy. Some of those
might include the use of manual therapy, education, and techniques such as heat, cold, water
,
ultrasound
, and electrical stimulation for the nerves (WebMD). Physical therapyalmostalways
includes exercise for any treatment plan, however it could include stretching, core exercises,
weight lifting, and walking exercises. Ones Physical Therapist may teach their patient an
exercise program applicable in ones home to do for a certain amount of days. All of these
helpingtheindividualbeingabletorecoverinaquicklyandhealthymanner.

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However, Physical Therapists provide their patients with the proper care needed such as
helping relieve their victims pain as well as preventing or limiting permanent physical
disabilities of their patients who have a particular injury or disease. Patients may include
accident victims and individuals with disablingconditionssuchaslowbackpain,fractures,head
injuries, arthritis, heart disease, and more (Explore Health Careers). All having a solution to
most problems brought upon themselves each day by theirpatients. Althoughittakestimefora
patient to heal and results arent right away but with the proper care and helpfromthePhysical
Therapistrecoveringwouldnotbeaproblem.
What do Physical Therapists do you might ask? Physical Therapists examine patients
and develop a plan of care that promotes movement, reduces pain, restores function, and
preventsdisability(Ross). PhysicalTherapistsrunavarietyofteststofindoutwaystohelptheir
patient with their recovery, some of the tests ran on patients would be checking their heartrate,
checking joints as well as looking and searching thoroughly at the patients injury or disability
finding out whatthemaincausetothepatientsproblems. Theyhelpwithrelievingtheirvictims
pain and preventing or limiting permanent physical disabilities of patients with injuries or
disease (Kesler). Some of these exercises depend on the patients problem, but one prime
example includes the task of completing a plyometric workout daily to help recover from ACL
surgery.
Most of the patients that Physical Therapists usually have consist of athletes who
encounteredinjuries,mostofthoseincluding,anklesprains,tearsinthemuscle,strainsandeven
broken bones. Physical Therapists work closely with their patients and clients when they meet
so they can help restore, maintain, and promote their overall fitness and wellness for healthier
andmoreactivelifestyles.

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Furthermore a variety of Physical Therapists make a different salary than others

depending on the location and their service. The median pay for a Physical Therapist in 2010
was $73,610 per year. But now, Child Physical Therapists may earn just as much, or perhaps
more, due to their specialized training and high demand (Hackethal). Each year an average
salary pay for the common PhysicalTherapistgoesupandthemedianannualwagewas $79,860
in 2012 according to the Basic Life Support (Brandon). Child Physical Therapistsmayearnjust
as much, or perhaps more, due to their specialized training and high demand. Some of the
positives of this occupation include having the ability to choose a locationfromawiderangeof
locations and worksettings,includinghospitals,privatepractices,outpatientclinics,homehealth
agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, employer settings, and nursing homes.Morethan
21.6%ofPhysicalTherapistsareownersof,orpartnersin,aphysicaltherapypractice(Bellamy).
Although most people familiarized themselves already with the role of physical
therapists, some can say that they evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who have disorders
limiting their abilities to move or function normally in daily life.Butlittledomostpeopleknow
the educational requirements needed to successfully become a Physical Therapist. Before pt
trainees allowed to practice, they must have already earned graduate degrees from accredited
academic programs in physicaltherapy.Beingabletoaccomplishtheseprogramsitwouldtakea
minimum 23 years to successfully complete. A good way of beingabletogainanadmissionor
invites to physical therapy programs is by earning a bachelors degree. As well as completing
certain science prerequisite courses and gaining experience by observing or volunteering with
local Physical Therapists. One of the final things required of you in becoming a futureprospect
in the field of physical therapies by submitting a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) of your

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scores and by also maintaining an acceptable gradepoint average. Students learning about
physicaltherapyprogramsmaystudytopicslikehumananatomy,biomechanics,musculoskeletal
system pathology and neurological dysfunction management. As well as also participating in
clinical internships and taking handson clinical courses that provide training in patient care,
screening, assessment, treatment and intervention. All must be licensed by their states. While
each state has its own requirements and rules , most states require that candidates of the job of
physical therapy have to obtain graduate degrees in physical therapy from accredited programs
and pass the National Physical TherapyExaminationattheendoftheprogram.Somestatesmay
also have additional requirements, such as jurisprudence or the theory or philosophy of law
exams. There may also be continuing education (CE) requirements to maintain licensure in
certainstates.
Although board certification proves voluntary for all Physical Therapists, earning a
certification inaclinicalspecialtymayopenupmuchmoreopportunitiesforcareeradvancement
for the candidate. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) offers board
certification for Physical Therapists in eight specialty areas, some of those including
cardiovascular and pulmonary, as well as clinical electrophysiology and geriatric physical
therapy. To be eligible for this certification, candidates must have licensure andmusthavealso
completed at least 2,000 clinical practice hours in their specialty area with aPhysicalTherapist.
Candidates who become eligible when they passed the final exam, which contains filled with
many multiple choice problems they can then awarded with a specialty certification. Certified
specialistsmustberecertifiedaftereverytenyearstobeexact.

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Few disadvantages arise in this occupation, however some of the negativesfoundwhile

researching this occupation includesthatworkingasaPhysicalTherapistcanoftenbephysically
demanding in various ways. Most of those being that physical therapists often have to stoop,
kneel, crouch, lift, as well as stand for long periods of time with the intent of trying to help or
provide additional aid in helping their patients recover. They also have to help their patients
with exercise, strength conditioning, stretching, and endurance workouts. Even if it requires
movingheavyequipmentandliftingpatientsorhelpingthemturn,stand,orwalk.
Indeed certain situations will be gathered analyzing the problems Physical Therapists
would encounter with their patients. Due to the fact that eachpatienthasdifferentproblemsand
needs different care from one another. By makingsureofthatPhysicalTherapistswillreviewa
patients medical history and any referrals or notes from previous doctorsorsurgeonsregarding
the patients conditions (Bellamy). They will diagnose their patients by checkingthepatientby
searching for dysfunctional movements or anyirregularitiesbyhavingthehimorhercompletea
few testing exercises. Physical Therapists will carry out some oftheseprocedures by observing
their patient stand, walk as well as listening to their concerns or input being given to the
therapist. Further steps or procedures of diagnosis would continue depending on the physical
therapist as well. Physical Therapists provide several forms of care to help their patients reach
their recovery effectively. Physical Therapists examine patients and develop a plan of care that
promotes movement, reduces pain, restores function, and prevents disability. Examining
patients medicalhistories,testingandmeasuringpatients'strength,rangeofmotion,balanceand
coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration andmotorfunction,determining whether

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a patient is able to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace afterinjury
orillness.
Dr. Garcia willbe mentorchosenforthePrideProjectmentorhoursandwillbeshowing
the proceduresthattakeplaceinhismedicaloffice.Dr.JosephGarcia,aNovantHealthLakeside
Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Physical Therapist. With that being said he was my
Physical Therapist ever since I injured my ankle, every visit he provided different types of
exercises and treatments in order to help speed upandeffectively finishthe recoveryinnotime.
With his unique style and art in physical therapy there is really no other therapist like himself.
With that being said, also a part of the Charlotte Hornets team helping treat players who come
across injury or somewhoseekrehabilitation. Tobeprecise hereallyknowswhathesdoingto
the point where its outstanding. Having the opportunity to shadow one of the most achieved
Physical Therapist in the state is apleasure. Dr.Garciawouldbeagreatteacherbecausehewill
be walking through the observant by showing what hedoesforhispatientsonadaytodaybasis
as well as helping walk through all the possible ways he cantohelpinghispatientstoapositive
recovery. Whether that be with strength and conditioning exercises, cardio workouts, or even
plyometric exercises. Basically including pretty much anything that would help strengthen the
patient so he or she will be able recover effectively as well as quickly as possible. He will be
performing a variety of tests ran on his patients, such as checking their ears, joints, blood
pressure and pulse as well as observing their patient performcertainexercisessohecanhavean
easierglimpseofwhattodiagnosehispatientwith.
The product being produced will be highly descriptive and will cover all the aspects of
the procedures carried out by a Physical Therapist. It will include all aspects of procedures

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carried out by Physical Therapists giving all viewers a visual representation of all that takes
place in the workplace. Very few people know what goes on in their workplacesoit willbe my
job to provide an intriguing video to teach the people viewing a basic understanding of the
background, procedures, exercises,

history and purpose of Physical Therapists. A video

representation will be made showing a choice of a studentathlete who attends Pine Lake
Preparatory as well as myself running a diagnostic on as well as I am planning to put together
my own check up on a student of Pine Lake Preparatory by checking their ears, joints, blood
pressure and pulse for any irregularities. With that being said the student would be walked
through various workouts or exercisesthatwouldhelpimprovehisorhersstrengthhelpingthem
getbackonthefieldorcourtinnotime.
This career may be a good fit for people who have goodinterpersonalskillsandadesire
to help others with their physical limitations. Little do most know the educational requirements
neededinordertobecomeaone.

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WorksCited
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<http://www.apta.org/PTCareers/>.

Brandon, Emily. "Physical Therapist." Job Overview. Emily Brandon,Jan.2014.Web.07Dec.

2014.<http://money.usnews.com/careers/bestjobs/physicaltherapist>.
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2014.

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<http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/70/Physical_Therapist>.

Hackethal, Veronica. "How to Become a Children's Physical Therapist." InnerBody. Inner

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Hall,CarlT."MichaelA.KeropianTopPhysicalTherapist."
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<http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/MichaelAKeropiantopphysicaltherapist257
0189.php>.

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Kesler, Jesse. "Physical Therapist Job Description." Physical Therapist Job Description.
American Physical Therapy Association, Fall 2006. Web. 06 Jan. 2015.
<http://www.healthcaresalaryonline.com/physicaltherapistjobdescription.html>.

McKay, Dawn Rosenberg. "Physical TherapistCareerInfo."

CareerPlanning
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<http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/phys_therapist.htm>.

"Physical TherapyTopic Overview."

WebMD
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<http://www.webmd.com/painmanagement/tc/physicaltherapytopicoverview>.
"Physical Therapists." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8 Jan.
2014.Web.21Dec.2014.<http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicaltherapists.htm>.
Ross, L. "Physical Therapist (PT) Careers Overview." Physical Therapist (PT) Careers
Overview. American Physical Therapy Association, 27 May 2014. Web. 04 Jan. 2015.
<http://www.apta.org/PTCareers/Overview/>.

"The HistoryofPhysicalTherapy."
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