To Become a Physical Therapist

Healthy habits start at home and you are in charge. Making healthy choices a priority, the whole family will feel better. This does not mean “diet”, it means adding fresh food to your day. It does not mean you have to join a gym, it means everyone needs to move more frequently throughout their day. From a Physical Therapist perspective, please help your kids with their home exercise program. And, find fun things to as a family and promote independence for all your children.What does it take to be a physical therapist?

Educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree with a physical therapy programs prerequisite coursework. During your last year of a bachelor’s program, applying to physical therapy programs. Passion for changing people’s lives, critical thinking, flexibility, and a wholistic outlook of wellness.

I do not remember exactly why I wanted to become a physical therapist. I just knew within the first semester of college that being a physical therapist would allow me to use all of my skills and that I would never be limited professionally.

I have been with Children’s Rehabilitation Services program for over 8 years. We provide care for the people/children from one month of age through young adulthood with chronic illness and disabilities. I have been the physical therapist on our spina bifida multidisciplinary team for 7 years. I am also a board member of the Arizona Spina Bifida Association for the past 4 years.

Working as a therapist for children with special needs has been a blessing ! Parents and patients are great teachers. To look at the whole person and family, such as does the family have durable medical equipment at home to increase safety and independence? do they know about community resources? Do they know how to use the internet to research for resources? That it is very difficult for parents to teach their children with special needs to be independent but it is imperative.

My advice is not different for those with special needs. The one thing that is imperative for our personal health and global health is to be physically active. Everyone has different abilities from, inspiratory breathing only to running. The best exercise is the one that you will do. Physical activity for health benefits requires a person to do more movement of their body than what they do in a normal day. Look for community resources and use your association.

Moms and dads , healthy habits start at home and you are in charge. Making healthy choices a priority, the whole family will feel better. This does not mean “diet”, it means adding fresh food to your day. It does not mean you have to join a gym, it means everyone needs to move more frequently throughout their day. From a Physical Therapist perspective, please help your kids with their home exercise program. And, find fun things to as a family and promote independence for all your children.