I'm thinking about becoming a physical therapist or going into sports medicine.?
450695
You can major in whatever. Your in luck: the "whatever" major is offered at every single college anywhere. I hear PT is a lotta fun but don't get into it unless you really enjoy science, studying a lot during school, and working with people with diabilities.
316310
PT is definitely the way to go.... \n\nAs a nurse I have had up to 56 patients under my care.  It is not uncommon for me to care for 26 at once.  I tend to be balancing three hot potatoes at once.\n\nAs a PT you usually work one on one with a schedule, have more respect, and make more money.\n\nPhysical therapists are in such a huge demand right now that the sign on bonuses are exceeding those for nurses and employers are even offering free housing so you work for them.  With all the orthopedic surgeries going on you will be a busy busy person.\n\nNursing is a very stressful career but can be very rewarding as well. It is up to you but the money and working conditions are in PT.
709625
Physical therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain, and promote overall fitness and health. Their patients include accident victims and individuals with disabling conditions such as low-back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, and cerebral palsy.\n\nTherapists examine patients’ medical histories and then test and measure the patients’ strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function. They also determine patients’ ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after injury or illness. Next, physical therapists develop plans describing a treatment strategy, its purpose, and its anticipated outcome. Physical therapist assistants, under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist, may be involved in implementing treatment plans with patients. Physical therapist aides perform routine support tasks, as directed by the therapist. \n\nTreatment often includes exercise for patients who have been immobilized and lack flexibility, strength, or endurance. Physical therapists encourage patients to use their own muscles to increase their flexibility and range of motion before finally advancing to other exercises that improve strength, balance, coordination, and endurance. The goal is to improve how an individual functions at work and at home.\n\nPhysical therapists also use electrical stimulation, hot packs or cold compresses, and ultrasound to relieve pain and reduce swelling. They may use traction or deep-tissue massage to relieve pain. Therapists also teach patients to use assistive and adaptive devices, such as crutches, prostheses, and wheelchairs. They also may show patients exercises to do at home to expedite their recovery.\n\nAs treatment continues, physical therapists document the patient’s progress, conduct periodic examinations, and modify treatments when necessary. Besides tracking the patient’s progress, such documentation identifies areas requiring more or less attention.\n\nPhysical therapists often consult and practice with a variety of other professionals, such as physicians, dentists, nurses, educators, social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists.\n\nSome physical therapists treat a wide range of ailments; others specialize in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, orthopedics, sports medicine, neurology, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy.\n\nMedian annual earnings of physical therapists were $60,180 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $50,330 and $71,760. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $88,580. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of physical therapists in May 2004 were:\n\nHome health care services $64,650 \nNursing care facilities 61,720 \nOffices of physicians 61,270 \nGeneral medical and surgical hospitals 60,350 \nOffices of other health practitioners 60,130
440895
I am a physical therapist and I LOVE my job.  Going to graduate school is definitely worth it.  \n\nDepending on where you live, yes, the money and benefits are good.  Most physical therapists work 36-40 hours a week (meaning 8-10 hours a day).  \n\nIt is a physical job (no sitting behind a desk), makes you think (what is the cause of the patient's diagnosis and what treatment is appropriate), you meet the most interesting people, and you actually treat the patient rather than give them a drug or refer to a specialist.  \n\nAlso the job market is HOT for new graduates right now.  PT is a growing field and they are in demand.
977570
Exercise physiologist or physical medicine and rehab
520280
In the UK its a 3 to 4 year course to become a physio therapist.\n\nIts a degree course so you get a physio degree then you generally specialise. eg sports, disbility, rehabilitation etc.
1124926
The most important things you need to do is keep your grades up and volunteer in a Physical Therapy setting, as soon as you meet their age requirements. Either in a private practice, hospital or even a nursing home. Volunteering is the best way for you to see if this is something you really want to pursue. It is a great job if you are good with people. Go to http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos167.htm and see if you can get some of your questions answered.
733976
Both are very complex and have thorough training in evaluation, assessment and problem solving skills.  In my opinion, OT is much more focused on the hand in the orthopedic setting...and the hand is incredibly complex; however the PT in the orthopedic setting can focus on shoulder, neck, back, knee ankle, etc.  \n\nIn the neurological setting, OT focuses more on retraining for acitvities of daily living, self care, and upper extremity function/splinting. PT focuses more on gait, balance and transferring.  \n\nTo say which one is "harder" is like asking which fruit tastes better: apples or oranges. While similar, they are still vastly different and it depends on the perception of the person as to how "hard" it is.  \n\nWhile I, as a physical therapist, have to "know" more body systems and joint specific anomalies than an OT, I have great respect for those who become certified hand therapists and those who perform visual and perceptual treatments.  And I am sure they would recipricate.
300808
You could get a job in a doctor's office or clinic.\n\nMake sure that the school is accredited.
636681
of course my advice would be the programme you really like. however, ill be biased with my personal answer since im taking industrial pharmacy. field of pharmacy is broader than that of a medical office, as a technician, u can also work in hospitals, laboratories, pharmaceutical colleges, food processing, and more.
109114
Physical therapy can help you more than anything else. It has been successful for several friends of mine who have had brain trauma, including aneurysm, cancer, and infection.
55988
Go for science. For one thing, you can make more money and there are many more opportunities. I was a chemist for about six years before going on for more education and the pay was good, the hours good and the people wonderfully intelligent and fun to work with. You're too young to limit yourself by foregoing serious education for something like massage. While that may be a good career choice if you've tried more intellectual pursuits and found you didn't like them, I wouldn't start there. Keep it as a backup if the science thing doesn't work out for you. Plus, the hours, working conditions and pay are much less for massage therapists than folks with a science background. (I have a friend who teaches at a massage therapy school, so I'm familiar with the lifestyle.) Good luck.
982885
I would contact your family doctor, he will know someone who can help you. also i would look into any schools in your area that offer that tech course, and interview a teacher and or student, on how hard it is to become one
713443
In the US, to become a physical therapist, you now need to obtain either a masters of doctorate level degree.  Your bachelor's degree should encompass many of the classes that are prerequisite courses for entrance into the professional phase of the program including at least\n1. A year and a half of biology\n2. Anatomy and physiology\n3. Statistics and trigonometry or calculus\n4. Basic, lifespan, and abnormal psychology\n5. A year of chemistry\n6. A year of physics\n\nThis may vary from school to school...\n\nYou will also want to have all  your general education requirements completed by the time you apply for admission to the professional phase.  \n\nThe structure of programs vaires...some are direct admittance...admitting you as a freshman and garauntee a spot in the professional phase of the program as long as you maintain a certain GPA.  Others require you to complete your bachelor's degree and admit you as a grad student to the DPT...some admit you as a senior, you complete your BS degree after the first year and then finish the the master's degree by the end of the third year...it all depends on the school.  \n\nOne place to get started is to visit the APTA website at www.apta.org and view what schools are accredited PT schools.  Then, review which ones you may potentially wish to attend and investigate that program's requiements and structure.  \n\nGood luck!
258405
I took 1 year of a 3 year course in Canada, it was really intense and hard, but worth it... I didn't finish at the time because my son was only 2 years old, and demanding more and more of my time...  anyhow back on track!  Massage Therapy is a field with many many possibilities, from sports therapy, to spas... I would ask you parents to consider the possibility (among others) and then go with them to a collage open house, where you can meet with the instructors and get all of you/you parents questions asked... If you are serious about this career path, you parents will see that and come around! if worse comes to worse you can always take some time off between courses and work to save up for your tuition! Good luck in your endeavors... if you have any more questions e-mail me: hugh0076@yahoo.com
19328
It seems to me that the best return on investment would be Physical Therapy.  The need for physical therapists would seem to grow as the population ages.  \nBiomedical engineering may offer a higher reward but the possibility of continued employment is lower. \nComputer science may be offshored and is somewhat stagnant right now. \n\nThe personal service professions -PT, nursing, medicine cannot be de-localized so positions will always be available where ever you may move.
854907
Your coach apparently doesn't care about your health or school work.  Face it your going to college to get a degree it's not like going to have a profession running, and if you doctor says you shouldn't be running on it I would listen to him.  You'll only be on your college team for 4 years but you will always have your knees. \n\nI say tell your coach to go F him/her-self it's your future and body!