Physical Therapy

Carson DiPascal

English III Honors Pd. 5

Mr. Alburger

February 23, 2017

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Carson DiPascal

Mr. Alburger

English III Honors

30 January 2016

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists strive to treat injuries and illnesses of the human body with exercises

made to rebuild the muscles from the injury. To excel in such a field one needs to prepare in

many ways physically, and mentally. Pursuing an occupation such as physical therapy takes an

extreme amount of dedication, and persistence. Those working in the field set goals to improve

their patients health and act as helpful as they possibly can. Physical therapists express a huge

amount of selflessness to accommodate their patients. Physical Therapy could often resemble

one of the most complicated majors to learn which takes a much higher intelligence to have

success in the field, but the struggle in school comes with benefits including the ability to help

people with injuries, and to treat people with disabilities.

To achieve an occupation in this field a high education and higher grade point average

can increase chances of having success. Carrying grades higher than expected through high

school marks the first step of completing the whole process. Having good grades can provide any

student with a better chance of getting into the college that can best educate them on their future

field. Some students may consider picking the right college as the most important step closer to

achieve the occupation of their dreams. When looking at schools the student must pay attention

to the cost, how someone could fit in at the school, and if that school provides the best education

for a student's major and future job potential.

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A college education will test and prepare students for the real world of physical therapy

and teach certain essential skills so that students in this course of study can eventually perform as

the best therapist in their field. The University of Delaware, the most prestigious Health Science

school in America sits at the top of the list. This school ranked number one by U.S News and

World Reports often known as the dream home for many students for their college years 10

Reasons. Ninety six percent of all students that attend the University of Delaware graduate and

on average spend up to ten years of college there (10 Reasons). Even though this school has the

best health science program in the United States that doesn't mean any student that wants to go

can get in. The requirements could get very extensive when wanting to apply to this school.

Students compete rigorously to get accepted into the health science program. In order for each

student to get in they must have above a 1630 score for the SAT test and at the minimum a 24 on

the ACT test (University of Delaware). Most students that have achieved acceptance into the

University of Delaware have to maintain a 3.5 grade point average throughout their whole high

school career and expected to go above and beyond in their studies and grades when in college

(University of Delaware Requirements). All students when applying must make sure they abide

by the rules of the application so that its reviewed completely by the school. All applicants must

have at least one letter of recommendation, an essay response from the application, a seventy

five dollar fee, and all tests scores including SAT (with essay response) and ACT (University of

Delaware).

Those who get accepted to this university through the health science program still have

much more to do before attending this school. Paying tuition amounts vary from student to

student. Depending on what types of scholarships a student applies for determines the amount
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they will it eventually paid. The student's household income and where he or she lives comes

into consideration when applying to universities. Those who do not live in the state of their

selected university such as University of Delaware will often end up paying almost three times

the amount of an in-state student (depending on scholarship options). A regular tuition for a

in-state student comes out to around $5,770 but this amount only covers classes (Undergraduate).

Multiple fees can get stacked on top of that including room, board, health service fee,

comprehensive student fee, textbooks, meal plans, club fees and student center fee

(Undergraduate). All of these can add up to almost $13,000 per semester for a in-state student.

Now for students that come from different states or even from other countries will have the same

fees but the tuition fee ends up much more expensive. For those who live in-state pay on average

$5,770 each semester for tuition but, those coming from out of state pay fee up to $15,480 each

semester.

For students interested in the Department of Exercise and Sports Science at the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill can some of the best education in the state and the

second best health science education in the country(Health). Just like the University of Delaware,

the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill expects many of the same requirements including

a final test score for the SAT and ACT. Those who receive acceptance often have to have an

SAT score of above 1230 or at least a 26 on the ACT (University of North Carolina). People

consider the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill a very difficult school to get accepted

to. Around 50% of all freshmen students had to perform around the top 10% of their whole high

school class for grades (University of North Carolina). The tuition for a in-state student varies at

this university. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gives many scholarship
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opportunities for future students with excellent grades and high ACT and SAT scores. Two

categories of scholarships exist that UNC provides for students. Need based scholarships

provided by the school for students who cannot afford financially to attend that school. The list

of need based scholarships consists of 5 scholarship programs (University of North Carolina).

UNC also has scholarship programs for those students who go above and beyond the

expectations of the school. These scholarship programs

known as non need based scholarships (University of North Carolina). This list goes to count up

to 9 scholarships including academic, creative arts, music and drama, athletics, state

scholarships, alumni affiliation, leadership, and religious affiliation (University of North

Carolina).

On average a student in state pays around $12,315 for each semester. This price includes

rooming, books, supplies, and food plans (University of North Carolina). For those who live out

of state will pay up to $24,856 each semester (University of North Carolina). Those who come

from out of state receive the same things as in-state students but they pay for much more

expensive tuition.

High school students will face one of the hardest challenges of their lives, applying for

and getting accepted into a university of their choice. A higher education in college will include

many rewards such as lifelong education, the skill of critical thinking, personal fulfillment and

ethical values. A student must achieve a four year bachelor's degree to graduate. During these

four years students entering the studies of physical therapy will face a variation of classes but

mostly based on sciences such as Kinesiology. Kinesiology studies the movement of the body.
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Students will take many rigorous courses that involve kinesiology and other health sciences that

will help them acquire the occupation of their dreams.

Brendan Lawson, an athletic trainer who works with Novant Health in Charlotte and

graduated from Catawba College shared valuable information with me about the life of a health

science student and occupation pursuit. He tells about certain courses he took which gave him

hands on real life practice. Brendan quotes As an athletic training student you spend your

afternoons in the athletic training room working various sorts of projects that youre assigned...

Every semester has a different sport and you spend all of your time with that sport and it's

athletes as if it was a real job. (Lawson). What Brendan shared helped me understand how

colleges try to prepare their students for a real occupation in physical therapy. This can help train

students to act fast to serious situations when someone needs urgent care.

After receiving a bachelor's degree, most colleges recommend their students continue to

take certain classes to receive their specialized degree before pursuing their career. After students

have experienced up to six years of college and earned their degrees its still not very likely that

they get a job as a physical therapist, but they will begin training as an assistant for a practicing

physical therapist. This will further prepare the student to then become a physical therapist and to

start a business of their own or succeed in a job for another company.

Students often start to think about what branch of physical therapy they want to go into

before starting college. The five branches of physical therapy consists of Orthopedic, Geriatric,

Neurological, Cardiopulmonary, and Pediatric (Five). These branches arent the only branches of

Physical Therapy but they have the most importance and more need for workers.

Students will face the decision of what branch to pursue once they receive the necessary
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degrees needed from college but those who know what branch they would want to pursue have a

big advantage. Knowing what branch of health science you want to pursue can help

tremendously in picking classes. A students education should stay specific to his or her dream

occupation in a certain branch of physical therapy. Among all of these branches every branch

provides some type of rehabilitation. Most students find physical therapy intriguing because they

want to gain knowledge of how the body works, allowing themselves the ability to help people

whether that means helping make patients stronger or rebuilding mobility and use of ones body

after theyve experienced an injury.

When researching, many people overlook the importance of Geriatric physical therapy.

Geriatrics consists mostly of assisting elderly people who suffer from diseases. Workers can help

the elderly by assisting them while moving around or giving elders specific exercises that will

help with certain pains and fatigue that elderly people struggle with. Many of these health

workers often work in nursing homes and private homes of their patients because many elderly

people do not feel comfortable or can afford living in a nursing home., The goal set for geriatric

physical therapists consists of helping elderly people maintain their bodys physical health

(Five). Helping elders often give physical therapists a sense of achievement when they improve

the physical health of people in need.

Orthopedic, a branch for those students who would want to care for an individual with

disorders within their joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, bones, nerves, and skin (Career). Up to

50% of all orthopedic doctors must learn how to perform surgery for certain injuries and diseases

(Career). Those who can perform these surgeries often have a much higher salary than an

orthopedic doctor who has no experience when it comes to performing surgeries. Those who
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wish to strive in this profession will have to attend college much longer than those who wish to

find an occupation in a different branch of physical therapy. Orthopedic doctors must first go to

school for four years to get their degree, then go to medical school for another four years, and

after medical school those students complete five years of accredited graduate medical school

(Career). Orthopedic doctors often experience personal success while helping their patients

recover or when their patients achieve tremendous improvements from injuries and diseases

The Neurology branch mostly focuses on treatments, and disorders within the nervous

system (Neurology). Neurologists might have the most requested skills out of any physical

therapist or doctor in the five branches. The nervous system, a very complex system in the

human body which helps string together and coordinate body movements (Neurology). The

central nervous system comes from the brain and spinal cord in the human body (Neurology).

Neurologists don't only treat the nervous system but treat effects of certain nervous system

disorders such as Seizures, and Parkinson's. Peripherals such as eyes, skin, and ears on the

human body can also have effects and will receive treatment from Neurologists (Neurology).

Neurologists spend most of college learning about the brain and learning treatments for brain

infections. Neurologists go through nearly as much school as orthopedics do. Neurologists have

to attend a four year non medical school first before going to any type of medical school. Then

these students must attend a four year medical school which will result in receiving either a M.D

or D.O which means Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Osteopathy degree (Neurology). After

receiving one of those two degrees a student must intern for a year at the minimum in either

internal medicine or medicine/surgery (Neurology). After completing an internship the student

must have at least three years of special training in a neurology residency program that must be
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accredited (Neurology). Neurologists do not perform surgeries for their patients. Neurologists

diagnose whats wrong and what has to be done in surgery and then gives the patient to a

Neurosurgeon. Neurosurgeons go through the same amount of school as Neurologists but instead

of having an internship for internal medicine those students must intern for medicine and surgery

(Neurology). In Neurology neurologists often can spread out into different topics and interests

which would result in different training for problems like strokes, sleep medicine, and movement

disorders (Neurology). Professional neurologists pick the branch they have to accommodate

those in need of not just physical but mental health. Those neurologists that keep their patients

mentally and physically strong have positive impacts on their patients lives.

Cardiopulmonary physical therapy bases off of the heart and keeping it healthy.

Cardiopulmonary therapists treat the heart whether the patient has had a heart attack, heart

disease or if the heart will not function correctly and, not function at all. Students who wish to

professionalize in this branch often attend school for up to 12 years (Swisher). Women control

the percentage of cardiopulmonary therapist over men with around 70% in the whole United

States (Swisher). Cardiopulmonary therapists help treat the heart with exercises and medicines to

help restore the heart to normal and healthy functionality.

Pediatric physical therapy may come last but this branch has the same if not more

importance than the others. Pediatric physical therapists strive in their occupation to help

younger patients such as toddlers, babies, children, and young teenagers. These young patients

often have genetic and orthopedic disorders (How). Therapists learn very thorough exercises and

techniques that help treat patients with musculoskeletal problems. Pediatric therapists often face

obstacles with their patients including diseases such as Cerebral Palsy, Cystic Fibrosis, Scoliosis
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or, injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain and cancer (How). These diseases and

issues have sadly become much more present in children through the past few decades (How).

Considering the millions of young children with problems including the ones above all patients

act differently to certain treatments. Pediatric physical therapists often have to make a unique

treatment plan and require unique exercises (How). These therapists have to stress home safety

for these kids and educate families that struggle with these issues. Therapists often take time to

observe their patients to see their habits so that the therapist can make a home safety plan and

treatments for the families and kids to follow when the pediatrician can not help. Pediatricians

realize the importance of youth today and how crucial good health for the modern day youth can

impact their growth when growing through the years.

Getting a good job in the field of physical therapy results from finishing school with

excellent grades and getting plenty of training. But the important part about earning an

occupation and showing success can have representation through a salary. Brendan states getting

a job out of college isn't the hardest thing to do It took me about 3 - 4 months after I graduated

to find my job at Novant. Athletic trainers are in pretty high demand. (Lawson). Novant Health

physical therapist Brendan Lawson tells how earning a good salary comes with hard work and

dedication to the job (Lawson). Brendan says that he first started with a salary that he did not

expect after putting so much work into school but then he goes on to tell that he continued to

work hard and he has achieved a salary that keeps him happy and financially stable (Lawson).

Brendan shared how as a physical therapist he must always stay versatile and stay

prepared for any situation. Working for a school with many athletic teams Brendon has to

accommodate all athletes with any injury issues or pain (Lawson). Physical therapists also have
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to predict the amount of time that athletes must not play when having an injury and also has to

stay aware of weather conditions to allow the teams to practice safely outdoors (Lawson). So

whether it's performing rehabs for injuries, sitting at practice and being available when

something happens, or monitoring situations to make sure they do not become unsafe Brendan

stated this when talking about staying busy with his job in and out of the office (Lawson).

Physical therapy often has a high demand especially at schools for athletics or gymnasiums

where people can come to therapists for help to improve body strength or for advice to stay safe

when lifting heavy weights or doing extreme activities.

Working hours vary from every job and not very specific. Most physical therapists do not

spend their time in the office but it depends what the jobs specifies. Brendan said that he rarely

goes to the office and he finds himself at different schools and sporting events in case of an

injury. Brendan goes on to say that his hours differentiate every week. Those physical therapists

that work at schools attend every sporting event and even school dances. Depending on what

branch a physical therapist works in can change how often they work. Some physical therapists

start their own businesses because they can control their hours, salary, and how the business

runs. Those who do open their own business tend to leave their schedules very flexible so that

they can accommodate the patient however and whenever it's needed.

Physical therapy can often set the minds of young students to be their dream profession in

hopes to help others and rebuild people mentally and physically. To many physical therapists the

profession consists of a lifetime of rewards and well worth the challenges they go through

everyday. Students entering the field of physical therapy often set their minds with the same goal

as the rest of the students and professionals in the science health field. They want to help
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individuals with illnesses and injuries and perform to the best of their abilities. Obstacles and

challenges that health professionals deal with everyday often end with a satisfied patient that

makes all the difficulties worth it.

After doing all the research on physical therapy for my pride paper, I have a greater

understanding and respect for those in the field of health science. Their hard work, years of

education and dedication to helping others inspires and deserves great respect.
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