Choose a Physical Therapy Specialty  | Enhance your physical therapy career by separating yourself from the pack: become certified in any of the eight different specialties designated by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Read below for a description of each specialty, the types of responsibilities each one entails, and how it meets the specific needs of patients.
 | Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy In this area, specialists handle the needs of patients who have recently had heart or lung surgery, along with patients who have been diagnosed with cardiopulmonary disorders. As a specialist in cardiopulmonary physical therapy, common diagnoses you will encounter include hypertension, chronic heart failure, pulmonary fibrosis and bronchitis, to name just a few. In working with these patients, your main objective is to promote their functional independence while increasing the stamina of their heart and lungs. Clinical Electrophysiology Clinical electrophysiology refers to the use of electrodes on the body for therapeutic purposes. Some cases require the use of a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit, which stimulates the muscles via electrodes placed on the skin. Other cases need electromyogram and nerve conduction velocity testing (EMG /NCV) to assess nerve conduction and diagnose nerve compressions or disruptions. Many of your patients will be highly active individuals whose lifestyles or work conditions have led to disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, but you'll also encounter patients who have experienced a higher degree of trauma, such as car accident victims or war veterans. Geriatrics While you'll treat a wide range of conditions in the geriatrics specialty, the more common diagnoses include arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer and incontinence. When working as a geriatrics specialist, you will also encounter patients who have recently undergone surgery, such as hip and joint replacement. In this area of physical therapy, your goal is to help your patients work towards reducing any discomfort and restoring mobility so that they may ultimately increase their activity levels. Neurology Neurological disorders include traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury and stroke, among others, and these cause a broad scope of challenges for patients. If you're a physical therapy specialist in neurology, you'll guide patients in learning to function independently and deal with issues related to these disorders such as paralysis or problems with balance and coordination. Orthopedics Like many of the other specialists in physical therapy, those certified in orthopedics help two different types of patients: individuals who suffer from chronic conditions and those who need rehabilitation post-surgery. More specifically, these specialists treat individuals challenged by injuries or diseases of the musculoskeletal system. If you work in orthopedic physical therapy, you will administer an array of treatment options that range from hot and cold packs to joint mobilizations. Pediatrics In pediatric physical therapy, specialists work with children—from infants to adolescents—who experience challenges related to many different types of disorders. These young patients may have special needs that require continuous help in building strength, increasing fitness levels, developing gross and fine motor skills or improving coordination and stability. As a specialist in this area, you will be especially responsible for early detection of physical issues to ensure the best course of treatment. Sports Physical Therapy Athletes are constantly pushing their bodies to the limit, and sports physical therapy specialists often work with these individuals in preventing injuries and preparing their bodies for maximum physical exertion. In this specialty, you will often be asked for equipment recommendations and tips on enhancing performance. As sports injuries occur, you will be responsible for the evaluation and treatment of your patients' active and chronic pain. Women's Health Women have special needs in many areas of medicine, and physical therapy is no different. If you become certified in this specialty, you'll be evaluating and treating women in all stages of life. Conditions you'll treat include short-term issues such as those related to prenatal and postpartum periods. In addition, you'll most likely be managing chronic conditions that many women experience, including lymphedema, osteoporosis, pelvic pain and urinary incontinence. Physical Therapist Certification: The Next Step Once you've chosen a specialty, the next step is to work towards certification. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) has two main requirements before you can take the certification exam in any specialty: an up-to-date license in physical therapy, along with completion of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the specialty area. Of those 2,000 hours, at least 25 percent must have been in the last three years. Also note that each specialty council has an extra set of conditions that must be fulfilled, which may require additional training. |
Physical Therapist Education Articles
Physical Therapist Career Guide |
