Treatments may include exercises for increasing strength, endurance and coordination or the use of heat, cold, electricity, sound or water to relieve pain.
Physical therapists work in hospitals, clinics and private offices.
Some are involved in the areas of sports medicine, geriatrics and cardiopulmonary therapy. Physical Therapists stand or walk for long periods of time and do considerable lifting of patients. Most PT graduates receive multiple job offers and, with an increase in the average age of the population, PT job prospects are expected to grow through the year 2005. The elderly population is vulnerable to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapeutic services. As the baby boomer generation enters middle age, the demand for cardiac and physical rehabilitation will increase.