The Canyon

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists examine, treat, and instruct patients affected by physical disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction and pain from injury or disease. AA PT is able to evaluate a patient's joint motion, muscle strength and endurance, functional ability, muscle tone and relaxes, appearance and stability of walking, need and use of braces and artificial limbs, function of the heart and lungs, integrity of sensation and perception, performance of activities required in daily living, and developmental activities. Physical therapy treatment techniques include therapeutic exercise, joint mobilization and range-of-mobilization exercises, cardiovascular endurance training, relaxation exercise, therapeutic massage, biofeedback, activities of daily living training, would debridement, pulmonary physical therapy, and ambulation training. Modalities such as traction, ultrasound, electrotherapy, and magnetic fields can also be applied.

Health Problems Treated

Acute care for accident victims occurs in hospitals and rehabilitation centers; neurorehabilitation occurs in clinics dealing with brain and spinal cord injuries. Outpatient treatment deals with orthopedics, sports medicine, and geriatrics. Patients affected with arthritis, stroke, and heart disease may see a physical therapist, as well as sports and fitness enthusiasts with musculoskeletal injuries.

Specialties

The following specialties are certified by the American Physical Therapy Association: pediatrics, sports physical therapy, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, neurology, and geriatrics.

In 1994, 102,000 physical therapists were practicing in the United States. Of these, 1 in 4 work part time.

Average Salaries

$30,000 - $50,000 per year for new graduates.

Education

There are 65 bachelors degree programs and 80 masters degrees programs in physical therapy in the United States. There are two Physical Therapy programs in Arizona, one at NAU and one at the Arizona School of Health Sciences. Both offer a doctoral degree.

The Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy (DPT) offered at NAU is a 33-month program. The prerequisite courses include:

Course Title
# of Semesters
NAU Course Number
Human Anatomy and Physiology
2 semesters
 BIO 201-202
General Chemistry
2 semesters
 CHM 151/L & 152/L
Organic Chemistry
1 semester
 CHM 230
Biochemistry
1 semester
 CHM 360
Physics
2 semesters
 PHYS 111 & 112
Psychology
1 semester
 PSY 101

Admission to NAU's PT program is highly competitive, and is based on:

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