October is National Physical Therapy month, a period devoted to raising awareness about and celebrating the immensely important work of physical therapists to "transform society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience," according to president of the American Physical Therapy Association, Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD.
"Improving the human experience" is a noble task that deserves recognition. In honor of the celebration this October, we're going to debunk four common myths about physical therapy. Keep these in mind and share them with others to help spread the important and significant benefits of physical therapy jobs to more people around the world.
1. Lots of healthcare professionals can provide physical therapy care.
Some 37 percent of people think that other healthcare professionals, beyond PTs, can provide physical therapy care, according to a 2014 survey conducted by the APTA. The fact is, PT is a highly specialized field that requires education and experience in a distinct area, meaning not every healthcare professional can provide this type of care – only licensed physical therapists can. Physical therapy is a distinct field with its own unique challenges, specialties and applications that are separate from other areas of healthcare and require targeted expertise.
2. A physical therapy career will keep you in one place.
This one just isn't true – so many PTs have diverse careers that include rewarding positions at a range of clinics and healthcare settings in different states and even countries. Working as a travel physical therapist is an attractive career option that many PTs choose to pursue. By taking on assignments in different locations, individuals who work in travel physical therapy can discover different cultures, hone a diverse set of skills and develop fresh perspectives that can be immensely useful in their work. Meanwhile, travel therapy enables travel PTs to have flexible careers that are not tied down to one place, enabling them to satisfy their sense of wanderlust and their love of travel and adventure.
3. Physical therapy hurts a lot.
Some individuals may be wary of physical therapy treatment because they may think the treatment may be painful. However, the goal of physical therapy is actually to minimize pain, as APTA noted, and this is achieved through specialized techniques.
As Step and Spine Physical Therapy noted, "Physical therapists don't subscribe to the philosophy of 'no pain, no gain.' In fact, they're specifically trained to work within your pain threshold to ensure your gains in movement and strength are safe and incremental."
This myth may be keeping many people in pain from seeking physical therapy treatment that could positively transform their lives and improve their well-being, so it's time this myth is busted!
"There is a common misconception out there that physical therapy is a very limited treatment that requires a specific referral from a doctor."
4. Patients need to be referred by a doctor to see a physical therapist.
There is a common misconception, based on the APTA survey, that physical therapy is a very limited treatment that requires a specific referral from a doctor.
In actuality, all U.S. states decree that patients can see physical therapists without previous evaluation by a physician, according to APTA. And to further debunk this myth, the Berkana Rehabilitation Institute adds that nearly all states mandate greater accessibility to physical therapy treatment and services.
In honor of PT month this October, be sure to spread the word that physical therapy is a viable, immensely helpful treatment for so many patients and rewarding career path for those interested in working in the healthcare field.
I have a friend who wants to train to become a physical therapist, so thanks for debunking some of these myths about the profession. I like that you mention how physical therapists are trained to work within their client’s pain threshold. It’s good to know that he can learn how to keep patient’s comfortable during the process.