Top Physical Therapy Schools in the U.S.

Interested in a graduate degree in Physical Therapy from a top program within the United States? We offer rankings of best U.S. Physical Therapy graduate programs. Review the following schools to see requirements for Master and Doctoral degrees in the area of Physical Therapy.

  • AbbreviationFinder: Browse our list of all acronyms and abbreviations related to Physical Therapy with their full meanings and definitions. Sorted by popularity and categorized within Physical Therapy.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a clinical and preventative treatment that is part of rehabilitation and habilitation. The treatment is used especially for muscular and joint diseases, in the phase after surgical procedures, in the rehabilitation after acute and chronic injuries, as well as as part of more general training and in preventive work.

Treatments

The most important form of treatment is exercise dosed out of what is the optimal stimulation of the injured tissue, and based on the condition of the tissue (degree of disease or injury, strength and more). The training includes active and passive exercises and measures. In addition to exercise, various forms of electrotherapy, heat and cold treatment are used to affect the tissue. Relaxation techniques can also be used if relaxation is the goal of the treatment.

Training and information are an important part of the treatment to teach the patient to continue exercises / training, master and provide insight into functional problems. Regular checks at the physiotherapist may be important in order to be able to control exercise programs and assess if the function improves.

Legislation

In the municipal health service, physiotherapy is a statutory service (see the municipal health service law ). Physical therapy is practiced by professionals with public approval / authorization. Physiotherapists have the right to examine and treat without referral from a physician and other health professionals. If the patient is to receive a full or partly correct reimbursement from the national insurance, the patient must seek a physiotherapist with a municipal operating agreement.

Physical Therapist

Physiotherapist is a publicly licensed health professional who performs physical therapy. This treatment is especially used for muscle and joint disorders, in the phase after surgical procedures, in the rehabilitation after acute and chronic injuries, as well as as part of more general training and in preventive work.

Education

The physiotherapist must be educated at a Norwegian or equivalent foreign college or university and have completed practical service in order to be approved by the Ministry of Health and Care Services. Physiotherapists, like other health professionals, are subject to the Health Professionals Act, have a duty of confidentiality and must keep a record of their patients.

They most often provide treatment according to a physician’s regulation (in order to obtain social security reimbursement), but from 2006 physiotherapists with further education in manual therapy (master’s level) became primary contacts, ie they are exempt from the need for referral for social security reimbursement.

Specialties

There are also other specialties in physiotherapy in addition to manual therapy: sports physiotherapy, psychomotor physiotherapy, pediatric physiotherapy, health and environmental work, oncological physiotherapy and several specialties in rehabilitation.

Workspaces

Physiotherapists work in many areas. Many are affiliated with health institutions or private institutes. Physiotherapists have important tasks in rehabilitation after acute injury or illness and during training after surgery. Physiotherapists form an important part of the municipal health service. Many also work on preventive tasks within the school and business health service.

History

Older physiotherapist names are masseuse / masseur and physiotherapist.

Please follow the links below to search for a complete list of best colleges and in the subject of physical therapy in the United States.

Top Physical Therapy Schools

  • Alabama (3)
  • Alaska (0)
  • Arizona (2)
  • Arkansas (2)
  • California (13)
  • Colorado (2)
  • Connecticut (4)
  • Delaware (1)
  • Florida (10)
  • Georgia (5)
  • Hawaii (1)
  • Idaho (1)
  • Illinois (7)
  • Indiana (3)
  • Iowa (4)
  • Kansas (2)
  • Kentucky (2)
  • Louisiana (2)
  • Maine (2)
  • Maryland (2)
  • Massachusetts (7)
  • Michigan (6)
  • Minnesota (4)
  • Mississippi (1)
  • Missouri (7)
  • Montana (1)
  • Nebraska (2)
  • Nevada (1)
  • New Hampshire (1)
  • New Jersey (4)
  • New Mexico (1)
  • New York (21)
  • North Carolina (6)
  • North Dakota (2)
  • Ohio (10)
  • Oklahoma (2)
  • Oregon (1)
  • Pennsylvania (16)
  • Rhode Island (1)
  • South Carolina (2)
  • South Dakota (1)
  • Tennessee (5)
  • Texas (10)
  • Utah (1)
  • Vermont (1)
  • Virginia (5)
  • Washington (3)
  • Washington DC (2)
  • West Virginia (2)
  • Wisconsin (5)
  • Wyoming (0)

Top 10 Physical Therapy in the United States

Rank College Name Location
1 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA
2 University of Delaware Newark, DE
3 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
4 Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MO
5 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
6 US Army-Baylor University Fort Sam Houston, TX
7 Emory University Atlanta, GA
8 MGH Institute of Health Professions Boston, MA
9 Northwestern University Chicago, IL
10 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL

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