Physical Therapy Salary - How Much Does A Physical Therapist Make?

In different places around the world where many PTs resides and practice their profession will also mean that they have different value in terms of salary. How much does a PT make in different states of the US?

When you say you are PTs it will immediately meant to others that you restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion from injury or illness, which is precisely correct by definition of a PT profession. PTs treat patients who have difficulty with the movement or who cannot perform functional activities necessary to everyday life. A PT can make as much as $65,005-$75,670 annually in the US depending also on what state or city you work. Like in California a PT can earn from $52,649-$67,441 annually, in New York City, $57,265-$68,682 annually and in Texas, $54,771-$72,157 annually. Some PTs have their own offices, or work directly to the hospital, clinic, or care home settling.

Additional training can also increase the salaries for a PT. High paying skills for PT are those have skills in home health care, which allows work with the most severely; disable patients at their homes and also geriatrics, which is especially useful for managing conditions shown by growing elderly population.

Experience also determines the salaries for a PT. New to the profession earn $51,132-$61,368 annually. Those with five to nine years of experience make $59,706-$73,448 and with those with 20 years or more years of experience receives $65,341-$81,448 annually. The work is strenuous and may involve some physical tasks such as lifting, turning and stretching patients.

A fulltime PT professional receives the best pay where they earn high monthly pay packages irrespective to their locations.

The workplace contributes an importance in determining the salaries of physical therapies. The type of employer can affect both earnings and the number of job opportunities. The BLS reports that the offices of health practitioners, which include PTs, have the most jobs, with 35 percent of the total 174,490. Because of the large supply of professionals, salaries here average $75,760 annually. The highest pay is available in management, scientific and technical consulting services at $88,260 annually.

The job outlook for PT remains to be excellent. The salary packages are expected to increase significantly in the coming years as the demand for the services of the profession is increasing significantly.

The services of PTs are carefully enhanced to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the program for each patient. The skills are developed to ensure the quality of services the PT provides to each patient.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment: Massage Therapy Can Boost Your Mood in the Depths of Winter

For some people, the arrival of winter means cozying up to the fireplace, enjoying snow sports, and the excitement of celebrating the holidays with family and friends. For others, it means the arrival of shorter, darker, colder days, and a mood that heads steadily south until the weather turns nice again months later. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects some 9% of residents in the northern United States, bringing symptoms of depression, stress, and decreased energy along with the change in the weather.

If the dark, short, cold days of winter have gotten you down, there's a surprisingly easy and effective solution: get a massage. Many people don't realize that massage therapy can be an effective treatment against the symptoms of SAD. While many people have heard of using antidepressants or phototherapy (bright light treatment), many aren't aware that massage can also foster positive outcomes in patients suffering from SAD.

Although it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact mechanisms by which massage therapies generate symptom relief, most clinicians believe that massage helps SAD in at least two ways: by targeting stress and creating a supportive, caring environment. Massage treatment can help reduce stress, one of the key components of SAD, by helping relax tightened muscles, regulate hormone imbalances by targeting the endocrine system, and increase the body's serotonin levels.

The time spent with your massage therapist also works to reduce stress and alleviate depression by allowing you to develop a relationship with that individual. This bond, even when strictly clinical, enables you to feel more supported and able to overcome the negative symptoms of SAD.

Working on at least these two levels, therapeutic massage can help you reduce the sadness and stress that may come along with shorter days, darker nights, and colder temperatures. Even for those not suffering from symptoms severe enough to be officially diagnosed with SAD, massage treatment can help keep you happy and healthy through the winter. If you're interested in learning more about how Swedish massage and other types of massage can help keep your mood and your body healthier this winter, contact your local massage center. Talk to a massage therapist about your SAD or SAD-like condition and ask them how massage treatment can specifically help you. They should be able to offer advice regarding particular massage styles as well as schedule your appointment for therapeutic massage.

So don't dread the arrival of winter this year. Combat those down feelings with a relaxing and healing massage therapy session!

How to Use Stones in Massage Therapy

For those practicing massage, the idea of incorporating stone therapy into your practice may sound appealing, as this form of therapy is not only therapeutic, but popular and profitable as well. There are some basics you need to understand about the art of giving a hot stone massage, as well particular steps you want to follow when offering this form of massage to clients.

There is, of course, special equipment needed in order to perform a hot stone massage. The most obvious of these is the stones themselves, as well as a heating unit to warm the stones and various massage oils that can be applied using the stones. Other incidentals, such a tools for removing the stones from the heating unit, are also needed.

When heating massage rocks, most massage therapists simply use roasting pans. These are easily acquired and an efficient way of heating stones with great temperature control. Rocks can also be held at a warming temperature in an oven utilizing these same roasting pans. For those who visit clients at other locations, insulated containers are best for transportation. Remember that massage stones should never be heated in the microwave.

When purchasing massage stones, consider not only the size and shape, but also the type of rocks. Some are simply much better at retaining heat. A common rock that's reasonably priced and very effective is the basalt stone, also known as basalt river rocks or volcanic basalt stones. While some therapists use actual gemstones for performing hot stone massages, cost is a huge consideration.

How many stones are needed for a typical heated stone massage will vary according to the type of massage performed. A fully body massage will require anywhere from 45-58 stones. While you can use fewer stones, you'll need to reheat them more often, which will interrupt the session and your client's ability to relax. To clean these stones before another session, you will want to sanitize them and store them in a clean, dry container.

Massage oils pair well with the use of massage rocks as the rocks work as a great way to apply the oils evenly. Most therapists use olive, rose, or grapeseed oil when giving a hot stone massage. Aromatherapy is also a popular pairing for heated stone massage as it does enhance the experience for clients. Which oils should be chosen for use during the massage is entirely up to the therapist, but lavender is always a popular choice.

When beginning a heated stone massage, focus on the client's face utilizing a set of small stones. Place these under the lips, on the forehead, and one on each cheek. Then slowly massage a light coating of oil into the skin. Once this has been finished, most therapists move to the legs, using larger stones and focusing on one leg at a time. The arms should follow in this same manner before the client is turned and the process is repeated. The back is a great source of tension and most therapists spend a longer period of time massaging larger stones into the skin.

Stone massage therapy isn't complicated to incorporate into a massage practice but there is a new technique that needs to be acquired as well as a lot of accompanying accessories.

Natural Bruxism Cure Focuses on Exercise and Massage

Finding a Bruxism cure is one of the biggest challenges for many nighttime teeth grinders and their sleepless partners. Conventional medicine usually employs physical aids and drugs to help fight Bruxism. Mouth guards provide protection for the teeth during nighttime bouts of grinding and jaw clenching. Drugs like muscle relaxers and anesthetics minimize clenching and grinding, while providing pain relief and helping the Bruxer (and their partner) get a good night's sleep.

None of these provides a true Bruxism cure however, and without the crutch of drugs or splints, you people often find that they quickly revert to their old unconscious habits again. Bruxism can cause sleepless nights, pain upon waking when you do get to sleep, and long-term damage to the teeth and Jaw. It is important to create a program that will help treat the cause of Bruxism at its source and end the discomfort for good. Jaw misalignment is one of the major causes of Bruxism, in severe cases, doctors may need to perform surgery to fix the condition, but often it is a result of one side of the mouth being weaker or less flexible than the other is. Jaw stretch exercises and self-massage may be able to provide relief from teeth grinding and help prevent Bruxism altogether without drugs or appliances.

Try this simple routine to get started.

Exercises: One major cause of Bruxism is misalignment of the jaw. Stretching and strengthening exercises can help balance out the misalignment by building up strength and flexibility in the weak side. Exercise is a great way to treat mild and moderate cases of Bruxism without the expense or risk of long-term drug therapy. Common Jaw exercises include shoulder shrugs, neck stretches - rising and lowering the chin and turning the head side to side. Yawning exercises are also a big help as they really stretch out both the muscles and the jaw joint itself.

Massage: Self-massage is a great way to continue the muscle relaxation process. One simple exercise is to rub the scalp in a circular motion just above the ears. Make circles about 2-3 inches in diameter and press on the muscles - if you are in the right place you should be able to feel the results across your whole head. If your muscles are especially sore, you may just want to apply pressure here rather than rubbing or even use the compress from the next step to help bring relief to the tension. If you can, schedule a visit with a trained massage therapist, they can help you work on tension areas and may even be able to teach you more techniques that will help relax your muscles before you go to sleep each night.

Apply Heat: A warm compress is a great way to end your bedtime routine. After you have finished stretching and massage your jaw and neck, take a washcloth and run it under hot running water. Wring the cloth out and then hold it directly on the areas where you usually have the most pain. Keep it there until it cools. The moist warmth will provide the final steps in allowing you to go to sleep with loose relaxed muscles and can help you start to get a good night's sleep, and awake pain free in the morning.

Occupational Therapy Schools: A Career That's About Caring

Occupational therapists provide an important role in the world of health professions, helping patients to regain their ability to perform some of the most basic tasks of everyday life. Occupational therapists help patients by providing treatments that will help them to regain some of the more basic function and actions of regular life. Those who are interested in helping individuals to become more independent should seek out a career in this field through occupational therapy schools.

Occupational therapy schools are going to provide you with the education that you need to truly help patients to regain some of their most basic functions. Those who work with those who have been physically injured will work hands-on with patients to help them to regain strength. You will help them to re-learn how to perform tasks like cleaning, cooking, eating, and general hygiene. Occupational therapy students must learn how to create programs for these patients to make sure their recovery is speedy and safe.

Students may choose to work with those who have been permanently injured to help them to work around their injuries. Students will create programs for patients that will help them to use the new tools that they must use to perform their daily activities. Finally, students may choose to work with individuals who are mentally impaired or emotionally impaired, or those who must deal with the changes that come from growing older. In the end, students must work to help each group to become more independent and strong in their daily activities.

Occupational therapy schools take education very seriously because of the important nature of the work. Students who are looking to get into the Occupational therapy field should understand that the minimum education required for entry into the industry is a Master's Degree. If students want to eventually become nationally licensed and certified, they must attend a school with ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) accreditation.

Education for Occupational Therapy generally includes courses in various sciences, including anatomy, chemistry, and biology. Students will have a full load of classes that tackle the theories of Occupational Therapy and the skills needed for the industry and field. After their education, students must go through a minimum of 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork.

There is a licensing procedure that each occupational therapy student must go through. Different states have different requirements for licensing in their state. Each state does require that students go through an accredited school, and that they pass the national certification exam. Changes in each state's requirements will determine how much schooling is needed or how many hours of supervised apprenticeship are needed to become an actual occupational therapist.

There are plenty of different Occupational Therapy Schools that will be able to provide you with the education that you need to become an OTR (Occupational Therapist Registered). You will be able to join this growing field by getting in the classes that you need, getting hands on experience, and passing your final certification. Once you do so, you will start to work with patients on a one-on-one basis, helping them to regain their independence.

Physical Therapy Marketing Strategy - What To Do Before You Get More New Clients!

Running and marketing a Physical Therapy Practice needs some careful thought and consideration. First you want to begin with the end in mind. Start with a clear vision of how you want your life and ideal practice to look and feel before you take action on marketing or get clients into your physical therapy practice. This may save you time, energy, heart ache and a lot of cash in the long run.

Instead of just trying to get a full practice of clients, some of which may be energy zapping clients, decide who it is you want to work with, (the common characteristics or profile of your ideal client). In addition, how you can offer your services in unique ways to differentiate yourself in your community and stand out as the obvious 'go to' expert.

When you are marketing as a physical therapist you need to keep your vision in mind; why you do what you do and how you can help add value to clients' lives. You want to use words that clients get, leave the jargon and marketing material that is all about 'you' on your desk. Get to know what your potential clients want and then tell what is in it for them if they decide to hire you. Explain all the benefits of hiring you as their physical therapist.

The next step is to create an effective step-by-step, easy to follow marketing plan that feels authentic to implement. This can help you to run a vibrant practice what ever stage you are in your practice building. Many physical therapist practice owners never use a marketing plan and don't know what strategy to use to get more new clients because they do not think of the 'bigger picture'.

You will not need me to tell you that the high of getting clients, is the one thing that tells you the pain and sacrifice is all worth while. The added bonus is when you get more clients, you can pay the bills and have peace of mind whilst you make your difference in the world, helping others feel better.

This approach of putting your client's needs a head of your own is all well and good and that's what most physical therapists are happy doing. But what about the times when you do not get more new clients, what happens then? If you don't work you don't get paid! So using a new strategy and beginning with working out therapy marketing strategy that suits you, so you know where your next client is coming from is a wise move.

You have to take a step back; you want to look at your practice from an objective short-term and long-term perspective (the bigger picture).

So how does a therapy marketing strategy differ from traditional pushy, salesy marketing approaches and how would a physical therapist put it in to practice to create say, one marketing strategy that can change the way they get more new clients?

A therapy marketing strategy can be used for any physical therapy practice and used over and over for the life time of your practice building. To often are there people out there giving you 'quick fix' solutions and never have walked similar shoes and have no idea what it takes a service based business owner to get more new clients.

It is a common challenge that many physical therapy practice owners face and marketing holds a large percent of therapist back from doing more of the work they love and reaching out to get more new clients.

Physical Therapy Marketing does not have to be so hard, or so much of a struggle. Have you ever heard the saying it is easy once you know how? I am sure you have had experiences that at the time seemed impossible to grasp, like when you first learnt to ride a bike or drive a car. You actually believe you will just never get the hang of it, or you just about get ready to quit and then, suddenly something just clicks!

A Therapy Marketing Strategy is just like that. You may not have known what the best marketing strategy is for your physical therapy practice but today you can take action on one marketing strategy. Ask for 2 referrals from 10 people in your immediate network. It does not cost anything and you are more likely to generate business through recommendations, that on say advertising. It's authentic and you can do it right now, get on the phone, write a letter, ask a past client for a referral. Make this part of what you do naturally as a rule of thumb.

If you want more help and support with how to create a customised therapy marketing plan using strategies that suit service based business owners and tailoring it to suit the stage of practice building you are now, get in touch. You can do it with the support of a group of 'like minded' others in our new Teleclass and action group, we can give you new ideas, insights and act a source of motivation as you build your ideal physical therapy practice.

Physiotherapy Courses and Career Training - What You Need to Know

Physiotherapy is just another word for physical therapy, which is a career designated to improving the movement and well-being of patients. The key goal of physical therapy is to renew the mobility and functions of the patient's body.

Most patients that physiotherapists tend to see have somehow sustained a serious injury. Because of this, the majority of physiotherapists are extremely satisfied with their work, which enables them to help people while receiving a worthwhile salary.

When considering the option of physiotherapy as an occupation, there a few factors that should be considered in order to confirm that the investment is worth your time and money.

• Look into all of the possible schools that offer physiotherapy courses. Fully examine the curriculum and course requirements at each school.


• Consider the time that will be required before even taking a physiotherapy course. Many schools require no less than a bachelor's degree in an associated field, and others require you to pass an entrance exam. You must make sure you are fully dedicated.


• Make sure that the physiotherapy course you want to take is accredited. Not only does the accreditation standing of the school (or course) influence the quality of education that you will be receiving, but it also may determine whether you will be able to get a license as a physiotherapist.


• Check the license-passing rate at the schools that you are considering. The higher the school's rate, the more likely it will be that you are able to pass your own license exam.


• Ask about hands-on training and exposure for each school. The more hands-on training you receive at school, the easier it will be for you to pass your exam and get a job in the future.


• Finally, you must always look at the actual cost of the course at the schools that you are interested in. The cost of tuition may very well be a major deciding factor when considering physiotherapy courses.

The road to becoming a physiotherapist is usually a long one. A bachelor's degree is necessary to the entrance into a physiotherapy course. Even once you have been accepted into the course, you have to complete the rigorous material available in order to pass the license exam and receive your license. However once you obtain your physiotherapy license, you will be able to work in the very fulfilling business of physical therapy. If you like to help people, and a physical job, this is a good career to consider.