Best Online Physical Therapy Courses
There are so many people around the world who don’t feel satisfied with their job role due to lack of substance and purpose. If this sounds relatable to you, then it may be time to take some courses in something that’s meaningful and helpful, such as physical therapy.
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While it’s usually not possible to get an online bachelor’s degree in physical therapy (PT) due to the fact that you need a lot of hands- on – body practice and experience beforehand, you can however sign up for free and flexible online courses that can teach you a wide variety of specific fields in PT. Alternatively, if you have already earned your bachelors, then you’re eligible to enroll in an online doctorate program being offered by a college or university that can help you complete your education. But whatever the case, there is no doubt that studying, practicing and working in PT if you so choose can be a very fulfilling career pursuit both mentally and financially. The average annual income for a certified PT is $82,422.
PT aims to reduce aches and pains throughout the patient’s body, along with the promotion of enhanced body healing and strength. These benefits can provide a significant level of physical and emotional relief to patients of all ages, especially senior citizens. Plus, it’s not overly demanding or rigorous, so you don’t have to be super muscular to qualify as a professional PT.
With that being said, listed below are some of the best online physical therapy courses that provide you with either a free certificate or a doctorate’s degree.
Free Course: Introduction to Physical Therapy Aides
This free and CPD accredited online course of Physical Therapy Aide will introduce you to PT aides and their various responsibilities. Although incurring injuries is an inevitable part of life, serious injuries can cause long term trauma and prevent patients from living their fullest and best life. This course will give you the vital skills you need to achieve patient recovery and perform your duty of care on a truly professional level.
Learners will also study the interesting history of PT, as well as recognize the difference between a PT and a physical therapy aide. This course will also discuss the impairments that physical therapy addresses, such as a lack of range of motion (ROM), strength, and balance. You will get a deeper look into the career opportunities and skill sets required of a physical therapist, as well as learn about what the day to day work of a therapy aide is like.
You will also get a detailed view of different medical terminology, body movements, and planes of motion, along with the various equipment used in orthotics and physical therapy sessions. Finally, you will also learn about the treatments of common medical disorders that include a range of motion disorders, such as elbow ROM and different forms of treatment techniques.
Course Length: Approximately 1.5 – 3 hours
Free Course: Health And Safety For Caregiving
If you wish to become a caregiver, then having PT training is essential in this line of work, in order to provide the best and safest care possible.
This free and fully accredited online PT course will introduce you to the basic structure and function of the human body. You will study the musculoskeletal system, the cardiopulmonary system, the neurological system, the skeletal system, and the muscular system, along with the different types of physical therapy, muscle tissue, common cardiopulmonary pathologies, and the difference between the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. Additionally, you will also look into different types of physical therapy and range of motion exercises, as well as the most common nervous system disorders.
Plus, you will also study body mechanics, reduce lower back pain, and learn the proper turning and positioning of the patient, such as proper lifting and methods for transferring. You will also learn what types of patients are at risk for decubitus ulcers which will help you spot problems faster. This course also delves into the most commonly used modalities in physical therapy, including temperature and sound.
Course Length: Approximately 1.5 – 3 hours
Doctorate Program: Cleveland State University (CSU)
Located in downtown Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a prestigious university close -by to the Cleveland Clinic, which is one of the best and most highly respected hospitals in the country. Students enrolled in CSU’s Doctorate Physical Therapy program benefit from partnerships with this Clinic, along with more than 140 additional clinical sites. As such, physical therapists receive a top quality education at Cleveland State.
This three-year DPT program requires 133 credits, which includes a core physical therapy curriculum and six elective credits. Many students choose to conduct research, which is done with help from a faculty member. This work can lead to publication or a presentation at a national conference. CSU’s DPT students must also complete 41 weeks of off-campus clinical training.
Doctorate Program: Utica College
Utica College is a top rated private institute based in Utica, NY. This college has a prominent online presence, offering several fully online degree programs. Utica’s Post Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy is an online physical therapy program, with a curriculum that goes into topics like:
● Starting and running your own practice
● Using the latest diagnostic imaging technology
● Addressing global health care issues
As a Utica doctoral student, you can fully customize your capstone project, allowing you to match it to your specific goals for the program. For example, if you intend to use your ppDPT to teach PT, then your project might be on a new teaching-learning discovery. Or, if your goal is to improve the services offered at your current workplace, your project should focus on a research initiative that you then present to your colleagues.
