Physical therapy programs prepare people to work with patients who have physical pain or limitations. Students learn to promote the healthy movement of the human body. They also learn to use exercises and massage to promote healing.

A common, yet serious, sports injury is a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). This ligament is in the knee, and keeps it stable and strong. When torn, it is very difficult to jump or move from side to side. Without treatment, you can dislocate your knee very easily. Therefore, most people with torn ACLs must have reconstructive surgery. However, surgery alone won't "make it all better." Most people who undergo knee surgery also need to spend time in physical therapy. This helps the knee and surrounding muscles regain strength and improve mobility to pre-injury levels. Most importantly, physical therapy helps people regain the confidence to play sports or exercise again.

In physical therapy programs, you take courses in human development, anatomy, chemistry, and physics. You also take courses in body mechanics, physical assessment, and therapy techniques. Depending on your interests, you can also take courses in neurology, sports medicine, or orthopedics, to name a few. Overall, you learn how to work with patients and design treatment plans that include exercises, massage, and daily activities.

As a physical therapist, you can work in private practice, hospitals, or clinics. You can also work in nursing homes, adult day-care programs, or rehabilitation centers. Many physical therapists concentrate their practice on specific types of medical conditions or age groups. For instance, you can work with the elderly, infants, or athletes with sports-related injuries.

You can become a physical therapist by going to graduate school after you finish your bachelor's degree. There are about 200 physical therapy programs in the U.S. Some programs offer master's degrees while others offer doctoral degrees. In many cases, both are considered entry-level education to work in the field. This means that some schools offer doctoral degrees (DPT) in physical therapy, but you only need a bachelor's degree for acceptance. Typically physical therapy programs take three years to complete.