Programs in physical therapy assisting prepare people to help therapists and patients. Students learn the basics of physical therapy. They learn how to help patients exercise and follow treatment plans. They also learn to instruct patients and keep records.

Running to catch the bus. . . taking the stairs two steps at a time. . . unscrewing the cap from a bottle of juice. None of these activities seems particularly glamorous or fun, right? If you agree, perhaps you are someone who can do these things without a second thought.

But there are people who, because of injuries, diseases, and many other factors, cannot do these things. A man who has suffered a spinal injury may not be able to walk. A woman with arthritis in her knees may feel pain when she uses the stairs. And a child who was born with a neuromuscular disease might have trouble using her hands and arms in fine-detailed activities.

All of these people could benefit from the help of a physical therapy assistant. Physical therapy assistants work closely with physical therapists and their patients. They help patients who are trying to cope with health problems that often result from injury or disease.

Physical therapy assistants work with patients on individual treatment plans to help them get stronger and to relieve their pain as much as possible. They use special equipment, teach their patients how to do exercises, and offer much encouragement and support. Because they are important members of the healthcare team, they need to learn about many health-related subjects. For example, they learn about the way muscles, bones, and the nervous system in humans work together to cause movement.

There are about 165 accredited physical therapy assisting programs in the U.S. These programs are typically found in community and private colleges, along with some technical schools. They offer associate degrees in physical therapy assisting, which usually takes about two to two and a half years of full-time study after high school.