| As a student of physical therapy, there are a number | | | | 3. Neurological |
| of different career paths that will be made available | | | | A neurological physical therapist is focused on helping |
| to you. You could be working directly with patients | | | | people who have any neurological disease or disorder. |
| or managing a group of your peers. However, many | | | | The common impairments that a neurological physical |
| physical therapists realize how many different career | | | | therapist will deal with include: impaired vision, balance, |
| paths are actually available to them. | | | | movement, speech, ambulation, and hindrance of daily |
| In total, the amount of information related to physical | | | | activities. |
| therapy is vast. This has led many physical therapists | | | | 4. Orthopedic |
| to specialize in one area or another. There are a | | | | An orthopedic physical therapist is able to diagnose, |
| number of currently recognized specializations | | | | manage, and treat both disorders and injuries that |
| including sports physical therapy and clinical | | | | are related to the musculoskeletal system. They are |
| electrophysiology, however there are six basic | | | | trained to deal with the treatment following |
| categories of specialization. Choosing your | | | | post-operative orthopedic procedures, acute sports |
| specialization is the best way to jump-start your | | | | injuries, fractures, sprains, strains, arthritis, spinal |
| career and is the most important step in defining | | | | conditions, amputations, and back and neck pain. |
| your possible career paths. | | | | 5. Pediatric |
| 1. Cardiopulmonary | | | | A pediatric physical therapist will assist in detecting |
| A physical therapist that specializes in cardiovascular | | | | potential health problems early. They normally use a |
| and pulmonary rehabilitation is known as a | | | | variety of modalities to treat these disorders. The |
| Cardiopulmonary PT. The primary focus of this | | | | standard patient is an infant, child, or adolescent. The |
| specialty includes increasing endurance and functional | | | | treatment focus is primarily geared toward improving |
| independence. This field also utilizes manual therapy in | | | | motor skills, balance, coordination, endurance, and |
| order to clear lung secretions that are the result of | | | | strength. Sometimes cognitive and sensory |
| cystic fibrosis. There are a number of people that | | | | processing is also treated. |
| can be helped by Cardiopulmonary PTs such as | | | | 6. Intergumentary |
| people who has suffered from: heart attacks, chronic | | | | Physical therapists that have specialized to deal with |
| obstructive pulmonary disease, post coronary bypass | | | | issues related to conditions the involve the skin. |
| surgery, and pulmonary fibrosis. | | | | Common conditions include extreme burns and |
| 2. Geriatrics | | | | wounds. Standard instruments include surgical tools, |
| A Geriatric physical therapist must cover a variety of | | | | dressings, topical agents, and mechanical lavage. |
| issues related to adult aging however the primary | | | | These instruments are traditionally used to help |
| focus is normally on the elderly. There are a number | | | | speed up the healing process with promoting good |
| of conditions that are likely to arise as aging occurs | | | | tissue health. |
| including arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, cancer, | | | | As you can see there are a number of different |
| Alzheimer's disease, bone replacements (hip, joint, | | | | specialization options in physical therapy. Choosing a |
| etc.) balance issues, and incontinence. Anyone with | | | | specialization is critical in defining a career path and a |
| these conditions can benefit from visiting a practicing | | | | decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. |
| physical therapist with a specialization in geriatrics. | | | | |