Physical Therapy Jobs

The career outlook for physical therapists looks strong. Employment is expected to grow 27 percent from 2006 to 2016 for physical therapists. Many opportunities are expected in the acute hospital, rehabilitation, and orthopedic settings. In the short-term, the impact of Federal legislation imposing restrictions on reimbursement for therapy services could affect the job outlook unfavorably. However, the ongoing demand for physical therapists should continue to increase as new treatments and techniques expand the scope of physical therapy practices. Moreover, demand will be aided by the growing numbers of individuals with disabilities or limited function.

Physical therapy services will continue to rise with the increasing elderly population. The elderly population is particularly susceptible to chronic and debilitating conditions that require therapy services. In addition, the baby-boomer population is entering the prime age for heart attacks and strokes, growing the demand for cardiac and physical rehabilitation. Also, the growing numbers of children will need physical therapy as technological advances save more lives of newborns with severe birth defects.

Future medical developments also should permit a higher portion of trauma victims to survive, creating additional demand for rehabilitation services. Additionally, growth may result from advances in medical technology leading to possible treatment of the growing number of disabling conditions that were untreatable in the past.

Popular interest in health promotion should also increase demand for physical therapy services. An increasing number of employers are using physical therapists to evaluate worksites, develop exercise programs, and teach safe work habits to employees.