Physical Therapist Assistant for Productive Therapy Sessions

Anyone who is rehabilitating from low back pain, heart disease, an amputation or fracture can approach a physical therapist assistant for productive therapy sessions.

Under the supervision of a physical therapist, the physical therapist assistant (PTA) provides diseased or injured patients with physical rehabilitation services to alleviate pain, reduce or prevent physical handicap, and enhance patient mobility.

Care for Patients of Different Age Groups

Physical therapist assistants take care of the needs of patients of different age groups – from the elderly patient who finds it difficult to move about to the handicapped child. Treatments offered by a physical therapist assistant include:
• Strength, endurance and flexibility building exercises
• Paraffin baths
• Massages
• Ultrasound for pain alleviation
• Electrical stimulation
• Packs (hot and cold)
PTAs help patients affected by conditions like burns, stroke, arthritis, cerebral palsy, head injuries, and vertigo.

What Makes a Good Physical Therapist?

Ideally, PTAs should possess good physical strength as they might have to carry or lift their patients. As part of the productive therapy sessions, the physical therapist assistant would have to kneel, stand and stoop for lengthy periods. They should be caring, well-organized and detail-oriented with good interpersonal skills. They would have to educate the patient in the use of crutches and other supportive devices.

Physical therapist assistants make therapy sessions productive by:
• Ensuring that the treatment areas are organized and clean
• Helping the patient get to and from the area of treatment
• Preparing the patient for sessions

Part Time and Regular Physical Therapists

Physical therapist assistants usually get an associate degree from a physical therapist assistant program which is accredited. Even though there are some physical therapist assistants who go for part time jobs, most work for a period of forty hours each week.
Depending on factors like the place at which they work and whether they are part-time or regular employees; the days and hours that they work would vary.