Due to shifting demographics and an increased focus on preventative and physical care, jobs in physical therapy are expected to rise rapidly over the next decade. Catering to patients recovering from injury or elderly and disabled individuals seeking to re-gain full functions, therapists have specialized degrees and certifications that place them at the center of a revolution in health care.
The shift from pharmaceutical to therapeutic treatment places therapists in clinics, hospitals and out-patient care is leading to grow in demand for certified therapists. In addition to treatments, therapists can provide important preventative care with exercises to improve strength, endurance and overall health. As alternative therapies for pain, therapists often provide massage treatments which can be much more effective in sustaining recovery and well being.
Therapists are accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association, which helps administer graduate programs with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy. Therapists take courses in a variety of biology sciences, as well as practical training in therapeutic techniques; the job, as a result, requires a mixture of scientific and human behavioral understanding to properly treat various ailments. While the high level of education required limits the supply therapists, demand for services is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade.
A number of Phoenix area colleges, including Gateway Community College have specialized Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) programs which can help entry-level students enter the field and continue their careers with further education toward full PT certification.
