What is a Physical Therapist?

Physical therapy is a rewarding career full of personalized care and thoughtful problem solving. Discover who PTs help, the settings in which they can make a difference and how a degree in physical therapy can result in competitive pay.

Secure your spot in Pacific’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program as early as your first year on campus with Guaranteed Graduate Admissions! Graduate with hundreds of hours of experience from working in real-world settings and expert hands-on training. 

Physical therapy is an in-demand and high-paying career with opportunities to meaningfully impact peoples’ lives on a daily basis. 

But what is a physical therapist, and what does a career in physical therapy look like?

The duties of a physical therapist can vary depending on the types of patients they help and their chosen specialization but, fundamentally, physical therapists help restore a person’s ability to move and function after physical trauma.

This means that jobs for physical therapists are diverse, with rewarding and compassionate interactions with patients.

Stick with us and let us show you what it means to be a physical therapist and the types of physical therapy that have helped countless people regain their health and independence.

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What do Physical Therapists Do?

Like any healthcare professional, physical therapists focus their attention on helping people return to their daily lives as minimally-impacted by health issues as possible.

For physical therapists in particular, this frequently means creating recovery plans that emphasize stretching and strengthening to help restore range of motion.

These recovery plans help patients reduce the possibility of further injury that could result in medical intervention like surgery.

In this way, physical therapists distinguish themselves from occupational therapists, both of whom may help the same patients, but with very different outcomes and strategies.

A career in physical therapy is hands-on, directly interacting with patients to help them recover from injury as soon as possible while collaborating with other healthcare professionals.

Because of this, most physical therapists only interact with patients for a limited amount of time, providing them with at-home recovery plans when treatment is complete.

Generally, working with a physical therapist is the quickest way to recover after physical trauma, and their extensive training enables them to provide the most up-to-date care strategies possible.

Who do Physical Therapists Help?

Because of their generalist training, physical therapists are capable of helping a wide variety of patients heal and strengthen after acute injury or physical trauma. 

Physical therapists are often included in a patient’s overall recovery plan, working alongside physicians, pharmacists and occasionally other therapeutic professionals such as athletic trainers or occupational therapists. 

While physical therapists are capable of helping anyone who has been physically injured, there are different types of physical therapists who provide more unique care by specialization.

These physical therapy specializations include:

• Pediatrics. Working with children and their families, pediatric physical therapists can help address injury, developmental disability or movement disorders to help children live more independently.

• Geriatrics. As America’s elderly population continues to grow, the demand for geriatric physical therapists will increase, and those who can help promote lifelong strength and recovery will be in high demand.

• Oncology. Both cancer and its treatment can cause physical trauma, and physical therapists specializing in cancer recovery can help restore mobility and manage chronic pain.

• Neurology. Helping victims of brain injury, stroke and other nervous system disorders regain mobility, neurology physical therapists link mind and body to help speed recovery. 

Are Physical Therapists Medical Doctors?

While physical therapists receive robust healthcare training — including coursework in anatomy, biology and rehab science — they are not required to attend medical school or complete a medical residency.

This means that physical therapists, while still possessing a doctoral degree, are not considered medical doctors.

Rather, physical therapists work in partnership with physicians, surgeons and osteopaths to cover all aspects of a patient’s recovery. 

Physical therapists can make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients without attending medical school, but for those who want to expand their practice, a DPT degree can greatly enhance a medical school application.

Where Can Physical Therapists Work?

Physical therapists are able to help people recover in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with strength and conditioning plans adaptable to a wide range of environments.

A career in physical therapy involves frequent direct contact with patients in settings where mobility is important to them, and hands-on, compassionate care in these places is essential.

A key part of the recovery process, physical therapists can be found in:

• Hospitals. In the aftermath of physical trauma, physical therapists can work on an inpatient basis, helping people adapt to new forms of mobility or recover from injury.

• Rehab clinics. Designed for consistent recovery, physical rehab centers provide one-on-one care for injuries acute or chronic with equipment made specifically for use by physical therapists.

• Assisted living facilities. Helping people recover quickly and maintain strength, physical therapists are often staffed in facilities devoted to helping the disabled or elderly.

• Jobsites. Injuries at work are common regardless of industry, and physical therapists not only help with recovery, but also in developing plans that can prevent future injury.

• Homes. Because physical therapists can create treatment plans accessible for any patient, they can assist people with limited mobility at their homes and integrate recovery techniques into their daily routines.

How Much Do Physical Therapists Make?

Physical therapists have high earning potential directly out of their DPT program, with the opportunity to make even more through specialization.

On average, physical therapist salaries are roughly $100k a year, up to 40% higher than someone working as a physical therapist assistant or medical assistant in a similar setting.

Regardless of where a career in physical therapy takes you, you can earn a high salary while making a difference in the lives of your patients.   

Physical therapists can earn different amounts depending on where they work. 

Thinking about becoming a Boxer? See what current students have to say and discover how getting your DPT at Pacific can launch a lifelong career.

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