Bradley University Physical Therapy Department

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Bradley UniversityPhysical Therapy Department
Introduction to a the Physical Therapy Profession
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Preview
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What is Physical Therapy?
Prevents, identifies, corrects, and alleviates
acute or prolonged movement dysfunction of
anatomic or physiologic origin. The primary
objective of physical therapy is to promote
optimum human health and function. The APTA
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Establishment of the Profession

• Established by the Surgeon General in 1917
• Founded by Mary McMillan
• Called Reconstruction Aides

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Beginnings
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Where is Physical Therapy Practiced?
Treatment

• Hospitals
• Private offices
• Nursing homes
• Schools
• Out Patient clinics
• Private Homes

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Where is Physical Therapy Practiced?
Prevention

• Schools
• Sports Centers
• Workplaces
• Public facilities
• Health Clubs

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What do PTs do?

• Movement Specialists
• Restore function
• Improve mobility

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A Systems Approach
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PT A Systems Approach

• Musculoskeletal

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PT A Systems Approach

• Neurological

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PT A Systems Approach

• Cardio pulmonary

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PT A Systems Approach

• Integumentary System

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Specialties

• Administration
• Acute Care
• Clinical Electro
• Geriatric
• Neurology
• Oncology
• Orthopedic
• Pediatrics
• Private Practice
• Sports
• 
  

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Role of the Physical Therapist
Evaluate Treat
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Types of testsv

• Evaluate
• Patient History
• Examination
• Perform Tests
• Types of Tests
• Range of motion
• Strength
• Balance
• Coordination
• Posture
• Respiration

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Evaluate ability to return home/work/function
independently
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Treatments

• Increase strength
• Increase endurance
• Increase flexibility
• Increase balance

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Treat

• Treat
• strategy
• Identify purpose/outcomes
• Pain reduction
• Swelling reduction
• Interventions
• Electrical stimulation
• Hot/cold packs
• Ultrasound
• Massage
• Adaptive devices (crutches, wheel
  chairs/prosthetics

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Misperceptions of Physical Therapists

• Just give massages
• Aerobics instructors
• Never see blood
• Only treat healthy people who are injured

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Future Outlook for the profession

• Baby boom

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Future Outlook for the profession

• Technology

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Future Outlook for the profession

• Reimbursement

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Future Outlook for the profession

• Female athletics

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Future Outlook for the profession

• Vet care

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Future Outlook for the profession

• Autonomy

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Future Outlook for the profession

• The need for research

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Future Outlook for the profession

• Life expectancy

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Assumptions underlying the practice of physical
therapy

• Movement

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Assumptions underlying the practice of physical
therapy

• The individual

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Assumptions underlying the practice of physical
therapy

• Interaction

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Assumptions underlying the practice of physical
therapy

• Autonomy

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Assumptions underlying the practice of physical
therapy
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Education

• Undergraduate (pre-requisites)

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Education

• Graduate school (MPT, DPT)

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Salaries

• 1998 median salary 56,600
• Downstate Illinois starting salary - upper
  30s/lower 40s