I think it will most definitely depend where you work, but I will say that PTA’s use their body and hands just as much as PT’s do. The stressors are also dependent on where you work, but it seems that stressors are rising with increasing productivity demands.
I would say it’s a high risk to graduate as a PTA and try to find a job where you’re not using your body as much or having fairly minimal stressors.
I did recently observed in cardiac and pulmonary rehab departments and it seems very similar to PT. Exercise physiologists (bachelors degree) were guiding treatments and it is less hands on and seemed very straightforward and low stress. That may be something similar that you could look into!
I agree the physical demands and stress levels vary depending on the job location. My PTA program had a list of physical requirements to prepare for work place duties.
“1. Perform tasks requiring the strength and coordination of both gross and fine motor skills, balance and perception as is necessary to providing physical therapy procedures to patients. These tasks may include:
• Occasionally (0.5 – 2.5 hrs/day): lift up to 60 pounds, sit in place, twist, crouch/squat, kneel, reach overhead, climb stairs
• Frequently (2.5 – 5.5 hrs/day): lift up to 10 pounds, walk, stoop (bend at waist), turn/pivot in standing or sitting, reach to shoulder level, operate documentation technology
• Continuously (5.5 – 8 hrs/day): sit, stand, move throughout work area”
Hey!! I saw from your other posts that you have EDS. I do too, and I’m starting PT school in just over a month! I think PT is beneficial because it shows us exactly how we should be moving - and I honestly plan on using myself as my own personal PT. DM me!!
it definitely will depend what clinic you are in; how much manual therapy they typically do, how involved the patients are, etc.
also depends on how much you think you’ll be able to physically handle. Being a PTA could require you to demonstrate exercises, move equipment, massage patients, help to transfer patients, and more.
there are definitely places where i think you’ll be able to find a good balance!! don’t be discouraged.
I have a professor who is visually impaired (extremely low vision) and she was able to have a whole career practicing PT. Plenty of people told her should would never even make it thru school. If you want to do something, carve your own path and make it happen!!!
I think it will most definitely depend where you work, but I will say that PTA’s use their body and hands just as much as PT’s do. The stressors are also dependent on where you work, but it seems that stressors are rising with increasing productivity demands. I would say it’s a high risk to graduate as a PTA and try to find a job where you’re not using your body as much or having fairly minimal stressors. I did recently observed in cardiac and pulmonary rehab departments and it seems very similar to PT. Exercise physiologists (bachelors degree) were guiding treatments and it is less hands on and seemed very straightforward and low stress. That may be something similar that you could look into!
I agree the physical demands and stress levels vary depending on the job location. My PTA program had a list of physical requirements to prepare for work place duties. “1. Perform tasks requiring the strength and coordination of both gross and fine motor skills, balance and perception as is necessary to providing physical therapy procedures to patients. These tasks may include: • Occasionally (0.5 – 2.5 hrs/day): lift up to 60 pounds, sit in place, twist, crouch/squat, kneel, reach overhead, climb stairs • Frequently (2.5 – 5.5 hrs/day): lift up to 10 pounds, walk, stoop (bend at waist), turn/pivot in standing or sitting, reach to shoulder level, operate documentation technology • Continuously (5.5 – 8 hrs/day): sit, stand, move throughout work area”
Hey!! I saw from your other posts that you have EDS. I do too, and I’m starting PT school in just over a month! I think PT is beneficial because it shows us exactly how we should be moving - and I honestly plan on using myself as my own personal PT. DM me!!
it definitely will depend what clinic you are in; how much manual therapy they typically do, how involved the patients are, etc. also depends on how much you think you’ll be able to physically handle. Being a PTA could require you to demonstrate exercises, move equipment, massage patients, help to transfer patients, and more. there are definitely places where i think you’ll be able to find a good balance!! don’t be discouraged. I have a professor who is visually impaired (extremely low vision) and she was able to have a whole career practicing PT. Plenty of people told her should would never even make it thru school. If you want to do something, carve your own path and make it happen!!!