What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical practice that helps those with injuries, diseases, and other physical limitations move and function better, as well as manage pain, through various treatments. The overall goal of physical therapy is to improve the life of the patient. Reaching that goal may involve the use of exercise, manipulation, manual therapy, electrophysical modalities, devices, and medication. The origins of physical therapy date back to the time of the famous Greek physician Hippocrates , who used hydrotherapy to help people with skin, joint, and muscle problems.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in physical therapy?

Anyone who is interested in a career in physical therapy and related practices should be interested in helping others better themselves. You should be able to maintain a positive attitude, even through trying circumstances, and you should be an excellent communicator. It's also important to be a keen observer and pay close attention to detail. You'll need to be physically strong as well, since the job sometimes requires you to lift and hold patients who can't stand on their own.

Why learn physical therapy?

Learning about physical therapy can lead to an exciting career as a physical therapist. Physical therapists who enter this profession can help patients in private offices, hospitals, hospice facilities, nursing homes, home health care, schools, and rehab clinics. They may also open their own practices. Even if you don't want to pursue a career in the field, learning about physical therapy can help you better understand your own body. You'll discover new ways to stay physically healthy.

What are some typical careers that use physical therapy?

Most people who study physical therapy become physical therapists. However, there are several other options in this area. You may go on to become an athletic trainer for sports teams or a chiropractor with your own practice. You can become a personal trainer, exercise instructor, or exercise physiologist. Some people who study physical therapy go on to explore other therapeutic careers, such as speech, recreational, or occupational therapy. You can use your education as the basis for a career as a physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or audiologist too.

What are the benefits of taking an online Physical Therapy course?

Online Physical Therapy courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Physical Therapy skills. Choose from a wide range of Physical Therapy courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

Top Physical Therapy Courses - Learn Physical Therapy Online

Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

University of Colorado Boulder
Circular Product Design Frameworks and Certifications
Skills you'll gain: Human Centered Design, Design Thinking, Product Development, Product Design, Corporate Sustainability, Packaging and Labeling, Product Lifecycle Management, Waste Minimization, Sustainability Reporting, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Corporate Strategy, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Business Strategies, Strategic Partnership
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera
Gonzo's Test Course 2
Skills you'll gain: Engineering, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Engineering Practices, General Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Physical Science
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Northeastern University
Foundations of Statistical Learning & Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Linear Algebra, Statistical Machine Learning, Statistical Modeling, Probability, Probability & Statistics, Data Validation, Statistical Methods, Bayesian Statistics, Probability Distribution, Mathematical Modeling, General Mathematics, Machine Learning, Applied Mathematics, Algorithms, Statistical Inference, Advanced Mathematics, Verification And Validation, Dimensionality Reduction
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
The University of Edinburgh
Climate Change: Carbon Capture and Storage (Chinese)
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Issue, Mitigation, Technology Solutions, Economics, Environmental Resource Management, Environmental Policy, Environment, Public Policies, Process Engineering, Technical Communication, Engineering Practices, Safety and Security
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
AutoCAD for beginners: Drafting blueprints and schematics
Skills you'll gain: AutoCAD, Architectural Drawing, Drafting and Engineering Design, Blueprint Reading, Blueprinting, Engineering Drawings, Technical Drawing, Computer-Aided Design
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Wetland Regulation: Local to Global Perspective
Skills you'll gain: Water Resources, Land Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Policy, Environment, Environment and Resource Management, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Environmental Issue, Community Development, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Mitigation, International Relations, Governance
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Siemens
응용 전산 유체 역학
Skills you'll gain: Engineering Analysis, Thermal Management, Simulation and Simulation Software, Finite Element Methods, Engineering Calculations, Simulations, Mechanical Engineering, Hydraulics, Numerical Analysis, Engineering, Mathematical Modeling, Differential Equations, Structural Analysis, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Scientific Visualization, Physics
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
L&T EduTech
Concreting Practices
Skills you'll gain: Construction Management, Construction Engineering, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Practices, Structural Analysis, Product Testing, Manufacturing Processes, Environmental Issue, Process Control
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
L&T EduTech
Renewable Energy & Power Evacuation
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Sustainability Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Innovation, Environment, Environmental Management Systems, Transportation Operations, Annual Reports, Architecture and Construction, Power Electronics, Thermal Management, Electrical Engineering, Basic Electrical Systems, Plant Operations and Management, Equipment Design, Simulations, Mechanical Engineering, Hydraulics, Semiconductors, Scalability
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
L&T EduTech
Machinery for Concreting
Skills you'll gain: Equipment Design, Maintenance, Repair, and Facility Services, Product Lifecycle Management, Construction Management, Plant Operations and Management, Facility Management and Maintenance, Architecture and Construction, Civil Engineering, Digital Transformation, Process Control, Automation, Data Analysis Software
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)
Applied Math for Materials Science and Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Integral Calculus, Calculus, Advanced Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Differential Equations, Derivatives
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
L&T EduTech
Introduction to Renewable Energy
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Sustainability Reporting, Corporate Sustainability, Innovation, Environment, Environmental Management Systems, Transportation Operations, Annual Reports, Architecture and Construction, Mitigation, Architectural Design
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks