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2.  What is Rehabilitation Therapy?
 Types of Rehabilitation Therapy
 Who receives Rehab Therapy?
 Who performs Rehabilitation Therapy?
 Advanced skills, training, or recognition needed or
obtained (schooling required of the PT/PTA/Aide)
 Percentage of PTs and PTAs who work in this
setting (nationally and regionally)
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3.  Salary Range (of PTs and PTAs)
 Future of this career field
 Where do Rehabilitation Physical Therapist and
Physical Therapist Assistants Work?
 Diagnoses referred to Rehab Services
 Treatments Performed at Rehab Services
 Why is rehabilitation therapy a good choice?
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4.  Rehabilitation  the process of restoring a
person to good: health, condition, operation,
capacity, and life – through the use of
therapy and education.
 Physical Therapy  a healthcare provision
that provides services for individuals in
order to help them develop, maintain, and
restore maximum movement and functional
ability throughout their life.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rehabilitation http://www.apta.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home 4

5.  Rehab Therapy  acts as a medical
treatment that restores, improves, and
maintains strength, fitness, movement and
function of areas of the body that have been
injured or impaired.
› Rehab is as a step-by-step
process toward recovery.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html 5

6.  Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
Rehabilitation:
› Involve wide variety of patients – from those with
cardiopulmonary disorders or those who have
had cardiac or pulmonary surgery.
› Primary goals  to increase patient endurance
and functional independence.
http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/typesofpt.htm 6

7.  Orthopedic Rehab
› The therapy that one undergoes after a total hip
or knee replacement, sustained trauma to a
bone, or a condition of having bone or soft tissue
disease.
› The focus is on helping patients regain their
strength, mobility, and endurance so they can
return home and resume their regular daily
routines.
http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/typesofpt.htm 7

8.  Neurological Rehabilitation
› Works with individuals who have a neurological
disorder (due to stroke, spinal cord injury,
Alzheimer’s Disease, brain injury, cerebral palsy,
multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson's Disease)
› Treatments can involve muscle and sensory re-
education, coordination activities, and range of
motion & speech therapies.
http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/typesofpt.htm 8

9.  Vestibular Rehab
 Helps people who are suffering from dizziness,
imbalance, and other inner ear disorders.
 Vestibular Rehab’s main exercises focus on
strengthening posture .
http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/typesofpt.htm 9

10.  Other Types of Rehabilitation Therapy:
› Amputee Rehabilitation
› Ankle and Foot Rehabilitation
› Hand Rehabilitation
› Lower Extremity Rehabilitation
› Upper Extremity Rehab
› Lower Extremity Rehab
www.altru.org/body.cdm?id=397 10

11.  People of all ages can benefit from Rehabilitation Therapy:
Children ~ Adults ~ Elderly
 Patients who are most frequently treated with this type of
therapy are:
› Accident victims
› Individuals with disabling conditions
› Those who suffer from:
 Arthritis
 Low-back pain
 Head injuries
 Heart disease
 Fractures
 Cerebral palsy
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html 11

12.  A patient could be referred to a physical
therapy rehabilitation facility due to:
› Movement dysfunction associated with pain
› Difficulty moving parts of their body
› Problems bending
› Difficulty sleeping due to pain
› Limitations in their daily
› Problems recovering from a surgery
http://www.selectphysicaltherapy.com/programs.asp 12

13.  Falls are quite common in the elderly,
and they often result in the need for
Rehabilitation Therapy.
› An average of 30% of people over the age of 65
fall each year.
› 60% of elderly falls occur at home.
 Safe-proofing the home of the elderly is one main
way to minimize this risk.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html 13

14.  Some Simple Home Safety Action Steps
Include:
› Picking up rugs
› Ensuring ample space to walk
› Covering or keeping electrical cords out of the way
› Clearing stairways of clutter
› Installing handrails (both in stairwells and showers)
› Keeping night lights on
› Placing non-skid mat on shower floor
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html 14

15.  An elderly loved one of yours fell recently
and the doctors have informed you and the
family that having he/she placed in a
rehabilitation facility for a period of time
before going home would be the safest and
best thing to do. Your loved one does not
understand why this has to happen and
simply wants to go back home because
he/she “is just fine”. The family has the
physical therapist come in and explain the
importance of rehab therapy.
www.ontariopt.com/articles/Rehab/Rehab.doc 15

16.  The therapist explains that people need
rehabilitation therapy after a time like this
because it simply ensures that they will be
receiving the necessary physical therapy and
care they need. Staying at the facility makes it
more convenient for the patient because they do
not have to be transferred from their home to
the hospital constantly, and it also may allow
them to receive therapy more than one time a
day. The more therapy that is received, the
quicker the recovery, and quicker recovery
results in fewer complications down the road.
 In the end, your loved one is successfully
convinced that rehabilitation therapy is the best
solution.
www.ontariopt.com/articles/Rehab/Rehab.doc 16

17.  Physical Therapy Rehabilitation is
administered by:
› A Physical Therapist
› A Physical Therapist Assistant (who is
under the supervision of the Physical
Therapist)
http://apta/org http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html 17

18.  Rehabilitation Physical Therapists can
specialize in different areas of work
including:
› Pediatrics
› Geriatrics
› Orthopedics
› Sports Medicine
› Neurology
› Cardiopulmonary Therapy
www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm http://therehabcenter.com/physicaltherapy 18

19.  Rehabilitation Physical Therapists and Physical
Therapist Assistants can work in a vast variety
of different settings such as:
› Outpatient Clinics
› Hospitals
› Private Practices
› Schools
› Inpatient Rehab Centers
› Nursing Homes
› Home Care
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html 19

20.  Most common working facility for
Rehabilitation Therapist/Assistant is a
Rehabilitation Hospital.
 Work in a team along with:
› Occupational therapists
› Speech therapists
› Recreational therapists
http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Physical_Therapy_Workforce&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=61543 20
http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/typesofpt.htm

21.  Many Rehabilitation Therapies and Treatments
involve exercises that focus on:
› Improving Strength
› Balance
› Coordination
› Endurance
 Some tools/devices that are used for physical
therapy include:
› Electrical Stimulation
› Hot or Cold Packs
› Ultrasounds
› Traction or Deep Tissue Massage
www.bls.gov/oso/ocos080.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html 21

22.  Rehabilitation Physical Therapists must
graduate with a Post-Baccalaureate
(Master’s) Degree (which is 7-8 years of
schooling).
 Rehabilitation Physical Therapist Assistants
are required to obtain a (two year) Associate’s
Degree
 A Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Aide
receives their required training on-the-job.
www.bls.gov/oso/ocos080.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html 22

23.  Upon graduating, individuals are
required to pass a state-administered
national exam.
 Other requirements for Physical
Therapy Practice vary from state to
state.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm 23

24.  The state of South Dakota:
› Does not require continuing education
› Limits 1 Physical Therapist to the supervision
of 2 Physical Therapist Assistants
› Does not allow Physical Therapy Aides to
participate in patient care
https://www.fsbpt.org/download/JLRG_ContinuingCompetency_200911.pdf 24

25.  Other important aspects of a Rehab
PT/PTA include:
› strong interpersonal skills
› compassionate personalities
› desire to help people
› strength and stamina
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https://www.fsbpt.org/download/JLRG_ContinuingCompetency_200911.pdf

26.  In 2006, of the 173,000 physical therapist
in the US:
› 60% of them worked in hospitals or offices of
physical therapist
› The other 40% worked mainly in:
 Home-health care industries
 Nursing care facilities
 Outpatient centers
 Rehabilitation centers
 Private practices
 Schools
https://www.fsbpt.org/download/JLRG_ContinuingCompetency_200911.pdf http://apta/org
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27.  In 2006, of the 60,000 physical therapist
assistants in the US:
› Nearly 71% worked in hospitals or offices of
physical therapists
› The remaining 29% worked primarily in:
 Nursing care facilities
 Rehabilitation centers
 Home health care services
 Outpatient centers
https://www.fsbpt.org/download/JLRG_ContinuingCompetency_200911.pdf http://apta/org 27

28.  Nationally
› Employment = 167,300
› Annual Wage of all Physical Therapists:
 Median annual income  $72,790
› Annual Wage of In-Patient Sub-Acute Rehab
Hospital Physical Therapists:
 Median yearly income  $70,000
http://apta/org https://www.fsbpt.org/download/JLRG_ContinuingCompetency_200911.pdf 28

29.  All Physical Therapists
› Average Annual = $79,500
 PTs in South Dakota
› Average Annual = $63,570
 Physical Therapists in the Midwest
› Average Annual = $73,000
 In-Patient Sub-Acute Rehab Hospital
Physical Therapists
› Average Annual = $70,000
https://www.fsbpt.org/download/JLRG_ContinuingCompetency_200911.pd 29

30.  Nationally
› Employment = 61,820
› Annual Wage of all Physical Therapist
Assistants:
 Median annual income  $46,140
› Annual Wage of In-Patient Sub-Acute Rehab
Hospital Physical Therapist Assistants:
 Median yearly income  $48,000
https://www.fsbpt.org/download/JLRG_ContinuingCompetency_200911.pd www.apta.org 30

31.  All Physical Therapist Assistants
› Average Annual = $43,200
 PTAs in South Dakota
› Average Annual = $31,430
 Physical Therapist Assistants in the Midwest
› Average Annual = $41,000
 In-Patient Sub-Acute Rehab Hospital Physical
Therapist Assistants
› Average Annual = $48,000
https://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Advocacy&template=/security/Login.cfm
http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&ContentID=65023&
Token=7886767C-375E-4E5C-8A5B-81DC70541382 31

32.  Future in Rehab Facilities appears excellent
› This is due to the elderly population...
 They’re vulnerable to chronic and debilitating
conditions
 Heart Attacks and Strokes are more likely
 Technology advancements may result in more
severe trauma victims surviving which will
increase the need for rehabilitation therapy
services.
 PT Positions  10 years  increase 27%
 PTA Positions  10 years  increase 29%
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html www.apta.org
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33.  More than ½ of all Americans are suffering
from pain.
 Rehabilitation Physical Therapists and
Physical Therapist Assistants are equipped
and ready to not only treat the pain, but
also the source of the pain.
 PTs and PTAs are experts in treating
movement and disorders.
 Rehabilitation Physical Therapists and
Physical Therapist Assistants can help
correct disorders and alleviate pain.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html 33

34. Citations:
 If you would like to further view the annual wages or take a look at the hourly
wages of physical therapists/physical therapist assistants, you may do so by
going to http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oessrcst.htm or by viewing the
APTA specialty website and following these links:
 http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Surveys_and_Stats1&Template=/Mem
bersOnly.cfm&ContentID=65023&Token=CFF130BC-999C-4E98-A944-9CA46FDC69CD
 http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Surveys_and_Stats1&Template=/Mem
bersOnly.cfm&ContentID=63165
 http://apta/org
 http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes291123.htm
 http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes312021.htm
 http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos080.htm
 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/rehabilitation.html
 http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec01/ch007/ch007a.html
 http://www.michiganuniversalpt.com/physical-therapy-faq.htm
 http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Physical_Therapy_Workforce&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=6
1543
 http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/typesofphysicaltherapy/a/typesofpt.htm
 http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/careersinphysicaltherapy/qt/PTWorkPlaces.htm
 www.altru.org/body.cdm?id=397
 http://www.therehabcenter.com/physicaltherapy.html
 http://www.selectphysicaltherapy.com/programs.asp
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