The experience lingers to this very day because it helped him find a career. Funtanilla is a physical-therapy aide, working with physical therapists to help people regain strength and flexibility after surgery or injury. He finds his work fulfilling because it has the potential to improve lives. Personal experience also led Kathy Moriarty-Snyder into this health field. She used to accompany her mother, who has multiple sclerosis, to physical-therapy appointments.
Assistants coordinate and implement directions of the physical therapist and supervise aides.
They are closely involved with treatments that can include ultrasound, electrical current for relieving pain and stimulating muscles to heal, specific massage or rehabilitation. An assistant's job also includes educating patients in the correct mechanics of the spine, and even teaching ergonomics on the job. A physical-therapy aide, with less training, has more limited job duties and must be supervised by the physical therapist or assistant. He said beginning aides are involved with basic tasks such as preparing for patients, greeting and escorting them, helping with exercises and helping with whatever else is needed. Funtanilla, who has a four-year degree in kinesiology, does much more.