Classifications

Physical Therapy & Physical Therapy Assistants

Physical Therapists (PTs) help patients, including accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy, by providing services that restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Employment of physical therapists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) perform a variety of tasks such as exercises, massages, electrical stimulation, paraffin baths, hot and cold packs, and traction. Certain procedures are to be done under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist.

Occupational Therapy & Occupational Therapy Assistants

Occupational therapists help patients of all ages who have limited abilities establish, develop and/or maintain the ability to complete daily functions and tasks. Through regular therapy sessions, occupational therapists work one-on-one with patients, focusing on their individual needs to help them achieve improved quality of life and a sense of independence. Ameliorating the physical, mental, social and emotional sources of patients’ disabilities is primary for these professionals.

Speech Therapy

Speech-therapists both identify and treat communication problems related to language and speech. Working with patients of all ages, speech-language pathologists seek to improve communication skills through vocal exercises and cognitive therapies. Patients under going treatment with a speech therapist may have an articulation, language, fluency, or resonance disorder, which prevents them from either being understood or understanding others.