20 Most Common Conditions Treated by Physical Therapist Assistants
Causes, Symptoms, and Physical Therapy Treatments
Every year, millions of people need physical therapy to restore or maintain their strength, balance, and mobility. Whether they’re working to return to their job, their favorite sport or live their lives in comfort and independence, physical therapy patients rely heavily on physical therapist assistants (PTAs) throughout their rehabilitation.
PTAs treat a wide variety of patients, including athletes, children, older adults, and people living with long-term disabilities. For many physical therapist assistants, the variety of patients and conditions is a big appeal of the job. Still, there are certain conditions that most PTAs can expect to encounter during their careers due simply to how frequently they affect the general population.
Learning about the most common reasons people need physical therapy can help you decide which direction to take your career. To learn more about the different specialties available to PTAs, you can also check out our list of the top 8 jobs for physical therapist assistants.
What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?
Before we get into the specific conditions physical therapist assistants treat, let’s briefly review what PTAs do and what it takes to become one.
Physical therapist assistants work under the direction of licensed physical therapists, but that doesn’t mean they’re micromanaged throughout the day. They collaborate with their supervising PT to assist in diagnosing patients and assessing their physical capabilities.
Once a physical therapist develops a rehabilitation plan, PTAs are an important part of seeing it through. Physical therapist assistants guide patients through rehabilitative exercises and perform manual therapy like stretching and massage. They also educate patients on how to continue their progress at home and sometimes teach people how to use adaptive or assistive equipment.
With many physical therapists in busy clinics forced to juggle multiple patients at a time, PTAs often provide the one-on-one care that leads to a great patient experience. They’re a critical part of any physical therapy facility. And while becoming a physical therapist assistant requires earning an associate degree and passing a licensing exam, it’s also one of the highest-paying healthcare jobs you can get without earning a four-year degree.
If you’re looking for more details on what it takes to become a PTA, check out our detailed guide on how to become a physical therapist assistant.
20 Most Common Conditions Treated by Physical Therapist Assistants
1. Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are common sports injuries, though they can happen to anyone at almost any time. A sprain is an injury to the connective tissue within joints, while a strain is an injury to the muscles (or the tissue that attaches them to bones).
Causes and Risk Factors
Most sprains and strains are caused by minor to moderate trauma, such as twisting an ankle, overusing a fatigued muscle, or landing on an outstretched hand during a fall. Poor flexibility or physical deconditioning can make people more prone to sprains or strains.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of sprains and strains include swelling, bruising, pain, and limited mobility. Many minor sprains and strains will heal on their own without too much trouble, so many people seeking physical therapy are likely to have moderate to severe injuries.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Physical therapist assistants often perform mobilization techniques to restore range of motion and guide people through exercises to stretch and strengthen the supporting muscles surrounding the injury. They may also use heat, ice, massage, and electrical stimulation to manage inflammation and promote muscle function.
2. Arthritis
There are multiple types of arthritis, but all of them cause joint inflammation, which can occur anywhere from hands and fingers to hips and feet. It’s an unpleasant condition that tends to get worse as people age.
Causes and Risk Factors
Genetics and age both impact the likelihood of developing arthritis. Other risk factors can include previous injury to the joint, as well as obesity—carrying around extra weight puts more wear and tear on joints, particularly in people’s knees, back, and hips.
Symptoms
The primary symptoms of arthritis are pain, stiffness, swelling, or limited range of motion within the affected joints.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Arthritis is a long-term condition, so treatment typically involves minimizing symptoms. Physical therapist assistants help arthritis patients improve strength and mobility with targeted exercises and stretching routines. PTAs may also help patients learn to use assistive devices or make suggestions for environmental changes like more supportive chairs or cushioned standing surfaces.
3. Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention and one of the leading causes of disability throughout the world. We use our back and core muscles constantly, and chronic back pain can make it difficult to do almost anything!
Causes and Risk Factors
Back pain can stem from a number of different issues. Muscle and ligament strains are common causes, as are nerve issues like sciatica. Back pain can also be caused by bulging or ruptured discs or inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Symptoms
Back pain sounds pretty self-descriptive, but it can come in many forms. Some people experience a dull ache, while others have shooting, burning, or stabbing pain that can radiate to other parts of the body. Often, the pain is made worse by lifting, bending, twisting, or standing.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Physical therapy for back pain usually involves helping patients strengthen their back and core muscles, improve their posture, and increase flexibility. Physical therapist assistants help teach patients exercises that can prevent pain from returning, and how to stay active during episodes of back pain without resorting to full-on bed rest (which can often make things worse).
4. Fractures
While the human skeleton is incredibly strong, sufficient physical trauma can still cause broken bones almost anywhere in the body. Most fractures are very painful and require immediate medical attention, so physical therapy comes into play later once the injury has been stabilized and started to heal.
Causes and Risk Factors
People involved in contact sports or high-impact hobbies (like snowboarding or mountain biking) are at higher risk of experiencing a fracture. They’re also common among older adults who may be more likely to take a fall. Fractures are also common during unforeseen accidents like car crashes or workplace injuries. Conditions like osteoporosis that weaken bones can also increase the risk of a fracture.
Symptoms
People with a fracture are usually in significant pain. The affected area may be swollen, bruised, or visibly deformed, and the injured person may not be able to move normally.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Because fractures are usually immobilized during healing, it’s important to rebuild range of motion and muscle strength after removing a cast, brace, or walking boot. Physical therapist assistants help their patients regain full mobility in the injured area and guide them through exercises and stretches designed to restore full function and coordination.
5. Shoulder Pain
Painful or injured shoulders can prevent people from accomplishing daily tasks or doing their favorite activities. For people like painters, mechanics, or anyone else who frequently reaches above their head, they can even hurt somebody’s ability to make a living.
Causes and Risk Factors
Shoulder pain can be caused by overuse injuries, sports injuries, acute trauma, or other underlying conditions. Shoulder issues are common among athletes as well as people who work with their hands for a living, though they can affect almost anyone in the right (or wrong) circumstances.
Symptoms
Depending on the underlying injury, shoulder pain can manifest as a deep ache or as a sharper, “hotter” pain. Many people will experience limited mobility or arm weakness. They may find it difficult to sleep on their side, or accomplish daily tasks like washing their hair or reaching for things overhead.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Physical therapy for shoulder pain usually involves restoring mobility and training the supporting muscles. The shoulder joint moves in many different directions, and physical therapist assistants help people perform targeted activities to increase strength and range of motion based on each individual’s diagnosis and treatment plan.
6. Knee Pain
The knee is one of the most important weight-bearing joints in the body, and painful or unstable knees can be very limiting for people’s mobility and overall quality of life. Patients also need plenty of physical therapy following knee surgery, which is common among athletes and other active people.
Causes and Risk Factors
Knees are complicated joints with lots of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Injuries to any of these structures can lead to knee pain, as can inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
High-impact sports and physically active careers increase the likelihood of knee injuries. Other risk factors include excess weight and poor strength or flexibility. Some people experience knee pain due to their walking stride, or even as a result of separate lower-body injuries.
Symptoms
People experiencing knee pain usually have stiffness, swelling, and general or localized discomfort within the knee joint. Their knee may also feel unstable while walking or doing other physical activities, or they may not be able to fully straighten their leg.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Physical therapist assistants usually treat knee pain by helping patients strengthen the muscles around the knee joint, which makes it more stable. They also perform range-of-motion exercises with patients, and use heat and cold therapy to encourage healing and minimize swelling. In some cases, PTAs help people learn to adjust their body movements to prevent pain and injury.
7. Hip Pain
Many forms of hip pain can be treated through physical therapy. And while some hip injuries or conditions require surgical repair or even replacement, physical therapist assistants still play an important part in helping people make a full recovery.
Causes and Risk Factors
Hip pain can come from many causes, including various injuries to the joint, an uneven gait, or a lack of strength and flexibility in the surrounding muscles. Contact sports and high-impact activities can increase the risk of injury, but some people are prone to hip issues due to genetically caused structural issues. Bone-weakening conditions like osteoporosis can also increase the risk of a serious hip injury in a fall or other accident.
Symptoms
People suffering from hip pain may experience discomfort or stiffness after long periods of sitting, standing, or being active. They may experience a catching sensation in the movements of their hip or a decreased range of motion. Sometimes, they’ll find it difficult to get up from a chair or walk up and down stairs.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Physical therapist assistants help patients stretch and strengthen their hip joints and the surrounding muscles, and overcome imbalances or gait issues. Especially if they’ve had hip surgery, this can be a long, slow process with lots of time spent gently increasing range of motion and using tools like electrical stimulation to encourage healing. PTAs may also help their patients learn to use orthotics or assistive devices prescribed by a physical therapist or physician.
8. Stroke
There are hundreds of miles worth of blood vessels in the brain, and a stroke happens when a blood clot interrupts the flow of blood to part of the brain. A stroke is a medical emergency, and can rapidly cause brain damage and long-term disability.
Causes and Risk Factors
There are many risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, diabetes, certain medications, and a family history of stroke or heart disease. Lifestyle choices can also influence the risk of stroke—including obesity, lack of physical activity, and use of stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine.
Symptoms
Paralysis or numbness on one side of the face or body are some of the most common symptoms of a stroke. People experiencing a stroke may experience confusion, slurred speech, trouble walking, and a severe headaches or vision problems.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Among stroke survivors, physical therapy is essential in restoring as much function as possible. Certain clinics tend to specialize in working with stroke or brain-injury patients, as their rehabilitation often looks a little different from people recovering from other conditions.
Physical therapy assistants who work with stroke patients focus primarily on improving mobility and balance to help them achieve greater independence and better quality of life. To that end, they often help teach patients and their caregivers how to use medical devices like walkers, wheelchairs, or prostheses.
9. Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s is a progressive nervous-system disease that currently has no cure. Symptoms begin slowly and usually progress over time. However, a combination of medication and physical therapy has helped many people with Parkinson’s disease remain as active and independent as possible.
Causes and Risk Factors
Genetics are the greatest risk factor for Parkinson’s disease, as it’s largely hereditary. Age and sex also play a role—Parkinson’s occurs more frequently in men than in women, and most commonly among people 60 or older. Exposure to certain environmental toxins can also slightly increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Symptoms
One of the earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s is a tremor, often in a hand or fingers. Over time, tremors can worsen and severely impact people’s ability to complete tasks. Many people with Parkinson’s also experience slowed movements, rigid muscles, and difficulties with automatic movements like swinging their arms while walking.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Physical therapist assistants help Parkinson’s patients reinforce natural body movements and maintain their balance, strength, and flexibility. PTAs may also guide patients through amplitude training, which involves making exaggerated physical movements to retrain muscle memory and slow down the progression of the disease. They also teach people how to use adaptive equipment that can help reduce tremors and other symptoms while performing daily tasks.
10. Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (or MS) happens when somebody’s immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers throughout their body. Many people with MS experience symptoms that go into remission for months or even years, before the disease returns with additional symptoms or challenges.
Causes and Risk Factors
Scientists still aren’t sure exactly why some people get MS and not others. Genetics and environmental factors both seem to play a role. Most people are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis between 20 and 40, and women are at least twice as likely as men to have MS. Certain infections and autoimmune diseases can increase the risk of MS, as can smoking, obesity, and low levels of vitamin D.
Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis symptoms can vary widely between individuals and over the course of the disease. Common symptoms include numbness or weakness on one side of the body at a time, difficulty walking or balancing, and blurred or double vision. People can also experience slurred speech, vertigo, and problems controlling their bowel or bladder.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Physical therapist assistants help people with multiple sclerosis overcome limitations and manage symptoms by training their balance, movement patterns, and overall strength and flexibility. As the disease progresses, PTAs work with each patient to help them stay as active and independent as possible. They frequently teach patients and caregivers how to use mobility aids to manage the leg weakness and gait problems that often result from MS.
11. Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of disorders that cause issues with muscles, movement, and posture. It’s almost always diagnosed in young children between infancy and preschool age. While there is no known cure for cerebral palsy, modern treatments can significantly improve function and quality of life.
Causes and Risk Factors
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the developing brain, either before birth or in the early stages of infancy. Risk factors include infections in the mother during pregnancy or in the infant shortly after birth—especially infections that cause inflammation in the brain. Fetal stroke, difficult childbirths, and traumatic brain injuries from accidents or abuse can also harm brain development in infants.
Symptoms
People experience many different symptoms as a result of cerebral palsy. Their movement difficulties may be only in one or two limbs, or on one side of the body—or they may need a motorized wheelchair to move at all. People with cerebral palsy can have issues with speech, coordination, and motor skills, and sometimes have learning or intellectual disabilities. They may also experience seizures, vision problems, and a variety of other challenges.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Physical therapy for cerebral palsy patients often starts in early childhood, and is designed to help infants and toddlers learn movements like rolling over, picking things up, or controlling head movements. In older patients, treatments often involve stretching and mobility exercises to counteract some of the muscular effects of cerebral palsy and prevent movement problems from becoming worse over time.
Physical therapy assistants also help cerebral palsy patients practice their coordination and balance, improve their gait and overall mobility, and teach them to use adaptive equipment like walkers, canes, or motorized wheelchairs.
12. Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are almost always caused by a sudden, severe impact to the head or body. Mild TBIs may cause temporary effects, while more serious brain injuries can have long-term or lifelong consequences.
Causes and Risk Factors
Many different accidents and events can lead to a traumatic brain injury. Some of the most common causes include falls, sports injuries, vehicle accidents, and violence. Explosive blasts also commonly cause TBIs among military service members in combat, either due to the energy of the explosion itself or the resulting debris and shrapnel.
Symptoms
Traumatic brain injuries can have different symptoms depending on the severity and the individual. They can include headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness, blurred vision, confusion, and sensitivity to light and sound. Long-term complications can include headaches, vertigo, seizures, personality changes, or reduced levels of consciousness.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Physical therapists and PTAs deliver different treatments depending on the severity of a TBI and the stage of recovery. Shortly after a severe TBI, physical therapist assistants help with stretching and helping the patient learn to sit, stand, and move around safely.
In less severe cases (or later on in recovery), PTAs will move onto more advanced balance and strengthening exercises to help patients regain everyday function or return to sports and physical activities. If a TBI patient has long-term mobility challenges, physical therapist assistants also help them learn to use adaptive equipment like braces, walkers, or wheelchairs.
13. Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord runs through the center of our vertebrae sending important nerve signals to the rest of the body. Damaging the spinal cord frequently causes loss of strength, function, and sensation in parts of the body below the site of the injury.
Causes and Risk Factors
Spinal cord injuries often occur as a result of traumatic injuries to the vertebrae during severe impacts like falls, vehicle accidents, or other high-speed collisions. The spinal cord can also be damaged due to conditions like cancer or certain types of arthritis. Alcohol consumption is a factor in many spinal cord injuries, and so is risky behavior like diving into shallow water or participating in dangerous sports without the proper protective gear.
Symptoms
Immediately after people suffer a spinal cord injury, they often experience severe pain or pressure in their head, neck, or back. Loss of movement or sensation are also common following a spinal cord injury. People may also have difficulty breathing and coughing, or lose control of their bladder and bowels.
Treatments Used by PTAs
While we haven’t yet discovered a way to reverse spinal cord damage, physical therapist assistants help people with spinal cord injuries regain their motor skills and learn new ways to perform everyday tasks. PTAs who work with spinal injury patients often teach them to use adaptive equipment like wheelchairs, and other devices that make it easier to use a computer or operate household appliances, for example.
14. Amputations
Despite all the miracles of modern medicine, sometimes severe injuries or illnesses force doctors to make the difficult decision to remove parts of a patient’s body. This may be done to preserve their long-term health, or because their injury is so severe that repair is impossible.
Causes and Risk Factors
Traumatic amputations often happen during an unfortunate event like a motor vehicle collision, industrial accident, or combat injury. Amputation can also become necessary due to tissue death caused by trauma, disease, severe burns, or frostbite.
Symptoms
Aside from the obvious consequences of losing a body part like compromised strength and mobility, people who undergo amputation can experience other unpleasant issues like phantom limb pain. It’s also common for people with amputations to suffer from emotional difficulties and worries about losing their independence or self-identity.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Fortunately, physical therapy and adaptive technology enable many people who undergo amputations to live fulfilling and active lives. When people lose a body part, they need lots of help rebuilding their strength, flexibility, and coordination so they can adapt to their new life circumstances. Physical therapist assistants also help patients learn to use prosthetic devices, which can vary widely depending on their injury, goals, and lifestyle.
15. Sports Injuries
Many different types of sports injuries require physical therapy to help athletes return to their favorite sport or physical hobby. Sprains, strains, and fractures are all common sports injuries, though the therapeutic approach for athletes may differ somewhat from people with less aggressive goals for their rehabilitation.
Causes and Risk Factors
People usually experience sports injuries as a result of awkward falls or unnatural movements, or during forceful collisions between competitors. Some people are more prone to injury than others due to physiological differences, though well-rounded strength and flexibility can help anyone minimize risk. So can wearing protective equipment like helmets, pads, and braces.
Symptoms
Different types of sports injuries come with different symptoms, but the most common sports injuries usually involve pain, inflammation, limited mobility, and compromised strength or stability in the affected area. Many sports injury patients recover with physical therapy alone, though others will require surgery and resulting follow-up rehab.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Physical therapist assistants working with sports injuries guide patients through targeted strengthening and stretching routines to help athletes recover efficiently. They perform stretching and massage to break up scar tissue and loosen tight muscles. PTAs also use heat, cold, and electrical therapy to manage inflammation and encourage healing before and after a therapy session. As athletes return to activity, PTAs often fit them with tape, sleeves, or braces to support recovering injuries and prevent re-aggravations.
16. Work-Related Injuries
Millions of people get injured at work every year, whether it’s a simple slip and fall, a manufacturing accident, or an overuse injury. Physical therapy is often an important part in helping people make a full recovery and return to their careers without limitations.
Causes and Risk Factors
Anyone can get injured at work, but it happens much more commonly to people in physically active jobs. Repetitive motions, heavy exertion, awkward postures, hazardous environments, and lack of safety gear all increase the risk of on-the-job injuries. Pressure to hit unsustainable productivity quotas can also cause people to work faster and more recklessly, raising the risk of mistakes or accidents.
Symptoms
Symptoms of work-related injuries vary widely depending on each individual’s condition. Some of the most common work injuries include falls, strains, cuts, fractures, and repetitive use injuries. Vehicular collisions and accidents with fast-moving machinery can also cause any number of injuries requiring physical therapy for rehabilitation.
Treatments Used by PTAs
When people need physical therapy for work-related injuries, it largely involves rebuilding mobility, strength, and stability in the affected part of the body. Managing pain and inflammation is also important to keep patients comfortable and motivated to continue their exercises at home.
In many cases, people with work-related injuries receive treatment from physical therapists and PTAs to restore their overall physical capabilities, and then work with an occupational therapist to develop the specific skills and movements they need to return to their job and other daily activities.
17. Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
From heart surgery to joint replacements and everything in-between, people recovering from all types of surgeries often need help to get moving again. After surgery, physical therapy frequently starts while patients are still in the hospital and continues in outpatient settings.
Causes and Risk Factors
There are countless reasons people need surgery, whether it’s to repair traumatic injuries, remove cancerous growths, or treat any number of other conditions or infections. Implementing a treatment plan based on each patient’s medical history and post-surgical instructions is a critical part of the job for physical therapists and the PTAs who assist them.
Symptoms
Surgical repairs can be invasive, and often require some level of immobilization to heal properly. This can lead to weakness and reduced range of motion when patients are healthy enough to get moving again.
Even in surgeries that aren’t primarily related to muscles or joints, surgeons often have to make large incisions and occasionally cut through muscle tissue that’s later stitched back together. In addition to restoring strength and mobility, physical therapy can help minimize pain from surgical wounds and promote faster recoveries.
Treatments Used by PTAs
Physical therapist assistants use many of the standard treatment methods to care for people recovering from surgery. Common recovery methods include manual mobility exercises and stretches to restore mobility, heat and cold therapy to loosen up muscles or manage swelling, and massage to break up scar tissue and encourage healing. When patients are far enough along in their recovery, PTAs work with them on strengthening routines to rebuild affected muscles and avoid imbalances that can lead to future issues.
18. Geriatric Rehabilitation
As they age, older adults often lose strength and flexibility in their muscles and joints, which can impact their independence and activity levels. Geriatric rehabilitation and physical therapy aim to help older adults restore or maintain their mobility and capacity to accomplish daily tasks on their own.
Causes and Risk Factors
People over the age of 65 are at greater risk for a number of physical and neurologic conditions that can weaken their bones and joints, impair movement, and increase the chances for falls and resulting injuries. While health issues are often inevitable as people age, physical therapy helps many older adults avoid compounding issues and improve their quality of life.
Symptoms
Geriatric patients commonly experience stiffness and muscle atrophy, and sometimes chronic pain from a variety of medical conditions. Geriatric rehabilitation helps older adults maintain as much strength, balance, and coordination as possible, and reduce pain resulting from injuries or illnesses.
Treatments Used by PTAs
When working with geriatric patients, physical therapist assistants focus a lot on stretches and exercises for lower body parts like hamstrings, hip flexors, and back muscles. Strength and flexibility in these areas can make the difference in safely navigating stairs, or being able to get into and out of a chair under one’s own power.
In addition to general conditioning and mobility, PTAs and their physical therapists also work with older patients on their balance and reflexes to minimize the risk of falls and maintain daily functioning to the extent that’s realistic for each patient. These efforts help older patients go about their lives with more confidence and enjoy a greater variety of fulfilling activities.
19. Pediatric Rehabilitation
Physical therapy can benefit people of almost any age, including young children. Developing minds and growing bodies require a modified approach to rehabilitation, so pediatric physical therapists (and the PTAs who support them) usually specialize in treating children between infancy and adolescence.
Causes and Risk Factors
Children may need physical therapy due to developmental issues, genetic disorders, sports or playground injuries, or to manage chronic pain from long-term conditions. Risk factors for childhood illnesses and developmental disabilities can include maternal illness, low birth weight, malnutrition, lack of recommended immunizations, and poor hygiene.
Symptoms
Pediatric patients who need rehabilitative therapy can show a nearly infinite variety of symptoms. They may have chronic pain, difficulty with daily tasks, below-average strength, balance, or coordination, or they may be missing certain developmental milestones.
In general, when kids have medical issues that impact their ability to learn, play, and enjoy a healthy childhood, pediatric rehabilitation can help them improve daily functioning and achieve their full potential.
Treatments Used by PTAs
To keep pediatric patients engaged and focused during their physical therapy sessions, pediatric rehabilitation often comes in the form of play—it’s something that comes naturally to most kids! Physical therapist assistants help their supervising PT perform initial evaluations for each child, and guide patients through age-appropriate tasks that build strength and motor skills.
In addition to activities and exercises to develop coordination and balance, pediatric PTAs often help children develop their posture, body alignment, or movement patterns. This may include learning to use crutches, leg braces, or other adaptive equipment that enables children to enjoy more freedom and independence at home and in school.
20. Vestibular Disorders
Because it’s largely involuntary, many people take their balance for granted. But for people with vestibular disorders like vertigo or labyrinthitis, they may feel dizzy or unstable at a moment’s notice, which can severely affect their ability to work, drive, or enjoy recreational activities.
Causes and Risk Factors
Vestibular disorders become more common with age, and can be caused by infections, certain medications, problems with the inner ear, and sometimes neurological issues like traumatic brain injuries. The risk of vestibular disorders is higher in people with high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as those who have suffered a stroke.
Symptoms
When symptoms flare up, people with vestibular disorders may feel off-balance, or like the world is spinning. They can experience blurred vision, disorientation, and be more prone to stumbling or falling. More severe symptoms can include nausea and vomiting. Many people with vestibular disorders also experience mental health challenges due to the impact their symptoms can have on many aspects of their daily lives.
Treatments Used by PTAs
For patients experiencing vestibular disorders, physical therapy assistants often help them practice their balance to avoid falls, and learn new ways of moving to avoid setting off symptoms during everyday tasks. Some vestibular disorders can be treated with exercises that encourage the brain to correct differences in inner-ear pressure. PTAs also work with patients on techniques to train their eye movements and build up tolerance to stimulating environments.
Start Your Physical Therapist Assistant Career at Provo College
With so many types of specialized physical therapy for various medical issues, physical therapist assistants have the opportunity to take their career in countless different directions.
Regardless of the conditions they treat, PTAs provide essential care to their patients and critical support to their physical therapy colleagues. Becoming a physical therapist assistant is a rewarding career for anyone who wants to stay physically active while helping others do the same.
Whether you’re just starting school or you’re ready for a career change, the physical therapist assistant program at Provo College is designed to help anyone achieve a brighter future. In less than two years, you could earn your associate degree and be well on your way to treating patients in a real physical therapy clinic. Best of all, you’ll combine the flexibility of online classes with hands-on learning from experienced instructors.
Looking for more information on how to start your career as a PTA? Read up on our in-depth guide about how to become a physical therapist assistant.
