PT vs PTA: Understanding the Difference
Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) both play a vital role in the wellness improvement of all patients. PTs and PTAs can treat patients from infants to older adults for injuries, disabilities, post-surgical procedures, prevention, or other health related conditions. PTAs provide care under the direction and supervision of a PT who establishes a plan of care for the patient. PTAs implement interventions for patient care, collect data related to treatments provided, and collaborate with the PT to modify and carry out care as necessary.
Education
Physical therapists require more education compared to physical therapist assistants.
They require a four year bachelor’s degree before beginning an entry level three year doctoral degree in physical therapy. While, PTAs require a minimum of a two year associate's degree in physical therapy without requiring a four year degree. Both are required to sit and pass a national licensure exam to practice in their state.
Physical therapy can help with:
Reducing pain, stiffness, or tightness
Improving mobility and flexibility
Increasing muscle strength and endurance
Recovering from an accident or injury
Preventing or reducing recurrence of an injury
Improving functional movement patterns or joint biomechanics
Improving balance and coordination
Improving posture
Decreasing stress and anxiety
Common conditions or problems we treat:
Orthopedic or musculoskeletal conditions including:
Low back or neck pain
Elbow or shoulder pain
Ankle and heel pain
Hip or knee pain
Arthritis
Tendonitis/tenosynovitis
Many other conditions!
Pre or post operative care following surgery
Joint replacement (hip or knee)
What we do differently here at Two Roads Wellness Clinic:
One on one individualized care
Getting to the root of the problem instead of just treating the symptoms
Creating tools for you as an alternative to pain medication or injections
Providing a variety of intervention options including manual therapy, neuromuscular training, therapeutic exercise and activity, gait training, and movement mechanics.
Helping you achieve YOUR movement related goals
Establishing a home exercise program that works with your lifestyle and fits your ability to follow-through with those exercises
Get started in physical therapy
If you would like to get started or ask more questions please reach out to us.
Photo credit: Pexels Kampus Production
About Two Roads Wellness Clinic
At Two Roads Wellness Clinic, we want to help you find the path that makes a difference in your life. We’re an integrative health clinic offering a vast array of services including, mental health treatments such as EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), expressive arts therapy, family therapy, medication management, primary care, integrative nutritional support including genetic nutritional counseling, life coaching, massage therapy, physical therapy, infrared sauna services, community education and outreach, and more.
The Two Roads Wellness Clinic team of therapists, medical and nutrition staff, massage therapists, life coaches, physical therapists, and emotional support animals are ready to help you find an integrated approach to your wellness. To schedule an appointment, visit our contact page, to get started at one of our convenient locations in Champaign, Danville, or Mahomet.