What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a medical practice that helps those with injuries, diseases, and other physical limitations move and function better, as well as manage pain, through various treatments. The overall goal of physical therapy is to improve the life of the patient. Reaching that goal may involve the use of exercise, manipulation, manual therapy, electrophysical modalities, devices, and medication. The origins of physical therapy date back to the time of the famous Greek physician Hippocrates , who used hydrotherapy to help people with skin, joint, and muscle problems.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in physical therapy?

Anyone who is interested in a career in physical therapy and related practices should be interested in helping others better themselves. You should be able to maintain a positive attitude, even through trying circumstances, and you should be an excellent communicator. It's also important to be a keen observer and pay close attention to detail. You'll need to be physically strong as well, since the job sometimes requires you to lift and hold patients who can't stand on their own.

Why learn physical therapy?

Learning about physical therapy can lead to an exciting career as a physical therapist. Physical therapists who enter this profession can help patients in private offices, hospitals, hospice facilities, nursing homes, home health care, schools, and rehab clinics. They may also open their own practices. Even if you don't want to pursue a career in the field, learning about physical therapy can help you better understand your own body. You'll discover new ways to stay physically healthy.

What are some typical careers that use physical therapy?

Most people who study physical therapy become physical therapists. However, there are several other options in this area. You may go on to become an athletic trainer for sports teams or a chiropractor with your own practice. You can become a personal trainer, exercise instructor, or exercise physiologist. Some people who study physical therapy go on to explore other therapeutic careers, such as speech, recreational, or occupational therapy. You can use your education as the basis for a career as a physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or audiologist too.

What are the benefits of taking an online Physical Therapy course?

Online Physical Therapy courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Physical Therapy skills. Choose from a wide range of Physical Therapy courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

Best Physical Therapy Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Physical Therapy Course Catalog

Status: Preview
University of Toronto
Managing Your Health: The Role of Physical Therapy and Exercise
Skills you'll gain: Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Injury Prevention, Exercise Science, Preventative Care, Health Education, Pain Management, Rehabilitation, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Oncology
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
784 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Fundamental Sports related Musculoskeletal Anatomy
Skills you'll gain: Human Musculoskeletal System, Anatomy, Sports Medicine, Kinesiology, Orthopedics, Physical Therapy
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
50 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
University of Colorado Boulder
Science of Exercise
Skills you'll gain: Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Physiology, Sports Medicine, Nutrition and Diet, Pharmacology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Immunology, Preventative Care, Respiration, Athletic Training, Endocrinology, Chronic Diseases, Vital Signs, Biochemistry, Public Health, Mental Health
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
National Academy of Sports Medicine
NASM Personal Fitness Trainer
Skills you'll gain: Goal Setting, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Nutrition and Diet, Nutrition Counseling, Smart Goals, Health Assessment, Sports Medicine, Human Musculoskeletal System, Preventative Care, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Nutritional Assessment, Respiration, Physiology, Neurology, Automated External Defibrillator, Rehabilitation, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Coaching, Health And Wellness Coaching
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
230 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
University of Florida
The Science of Training Young Athletes
Skills you'll gain: Sports Medicine, Coaching, Athletic Training, Pediatrics, Exercise Science, Physiology, Kinesiology, Child Development, Working With Children, Anatomy, Training Programs, Injury Prevention, Coordination, Nutrition and Diet, Planning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
968 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Duke University
Introductory Human Physiology
Skills you'll gain: Physiology, Respiration, Endocrinology, Anatomy, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Nephrology, Urology, Kinesiology, Vital Signs, Neurology, Biology, Nutrition and Diet
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Skills you'll gain: Human Musculoskeletal System, Anatomy, Endocrinology, Orthopedics, Kinesiology, Physiology, Neurology, Medical Terminology, Cell Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Practices, Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Life Sciences, Lifelong Learning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
142 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
University of Michigan
Teaching and Assessing Clinical Skills
Skills you'll gain: Constructive Feedback, Clinical Supervision, Clinical Assessment, Clinical Practices, Patient Evaluation, Patient Safety, Teamwork, Trustworthiness
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
765 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Anatomy
Skills you'll gain: Human Musculoskeletal System, Anatomy, Endocrinology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Respiration, Gynecology, Hematology, Obstetrics And Gynecology, Orthopedics, Neurology, Urology, Nephrology, Kinesiology, Physiology, Medical Imaging, Sports Medicine, Biology, Medical Terminology, Cell Biology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.9K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
University of Michigan
Michigan Sport-Related Concussion Training Certification
Skills you'll gain: Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, Injury Prevention, Neurology, Emergency Medicine, School Psychology, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Long Term Care
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Yale University
Anatomy of the Upper and Lower Extremities
Skills you'll gain: Human Musculoskeletal System, Anatomy, Orthopedics, Kinesiology, Patient Positioning, Neurology, Physical Therapy
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
95 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Duke University
Medical Neuroscience
Skills you'll gain: Neurology, Physiology, Anatomy, Cell Biology, Psychology, Pathology, Molecular Biology
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Advanced · Course · 3 - 6 Months