Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies

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Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies

When many people hear the word "therapy," they think of something that has caused a problem and has to be fixed. In most cases, that is true. Most people think the problem may be an injury that has to be rehabilitated or an extreme mental problem where the person needs serious help. However, therapy does not always deal with injured or mentally troubled people. Three types of therapy that help a wide range of people with their problems are physical, occupational, and speech therapies.

Physical therapy is the one that deals mostly with injuries and their rehabilitation. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, "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" (205). Disabling conditions such as lower-back pain, cerebral palsy, arthritis, heart disease, and fractures, as well as physical injuries, are among the cases physical therapists often evaluate and treat. This therapy often includes strength-building exercises. Therapists in this field work on the person's flexibility, endurance, strength, balance, and coordination. Most therapy is done in specializing clinics or hospitals by a licensed physical therapist who has a bachelor's degree ("Physical").

Physical therapy is a fairly new practice of rehabilitation. The treatments were not widely practiced until after World War I when soldiers returned home with injuries that were able to be rehabilitated by this therapy. The profession immediately began to grow and has been popular in the U. S. since that time. The vocation is also expected to c...

... middle of paper ...

...ese treatments and services. These therapies have been very beneficial to an abundance of people over the years. The outlook for therapists in these fields looks good as employment is expected to increase at a rate faster than average through 2008.

Works Cited

"Occupational Therapists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. 2000-01 ed. U. S. Department of Labor, Jan. 2000. 202-03.

"Physical Therapists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. 2000-01 ed. U. S. Department of Labor, Jan. 2000. 206.

The Princeton Review. "Physical Therapist." Review.com. 2000. <http://www.review.com> 26 Oct. 2000.

"Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists." Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance. 10th ed. Vol. 4 Chicago: J. G. Ferguson, 1997. 551.

---. Occupational Outlook Handbook. 2000-01 ed. U. S. Department of Labor, Jan. 2000. 215.

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