Physical Therapy
Career Objectives
Rehabilitate and/or strengthen the human body by means of movement.
Professional Profile
Professional who carries out scientific research on body movement, intervening in the prevention, treatment and *physical rehabilitation of the human being through the application of the *physiological and *biomechanical movement of his body.
He seeks to correct possible body-soul imbalances by using muscle testing as bio-communication mechanism, trying to strengthen the body and avoid what weakens it, increase the level of energy in the human organism, stimulate the self-healing ability and, with it, to stabilize or restore health.
Specific tasks or activities carried out in the profession
He plans and implements health promotion, prevention and recovery programs.
He evaluates the movement or movement problems by analyzing the interrelation of *physiological processes and the human body *anatomy, with movement.
He carries out examination of muscle responses, identifying in which area or organ of the body there is a block or imbalance which has been produced by emotional disturbances and that affect physical, emotional or energy well-being expressed in discomfort, pain and illnesses.
He formulates diagnosis and determines the appropriate treatment of diseases or bone, muscle, circulatory or nervous disorders; and if necessary, refer patients to the doctor.
He determines treatments through positions or special exercises, for instance, through *Yoga, *osteopathy, as well as treatments by means of *acupuncture, *Phytotherapy, among others.
He treats diseases and disorders through manual methods, ultrasound application, heat, laser beams or other similar techniques.
He gives massages to improve blood circulation, soothe or stimulate the nervous system, facilitate the removal of body waste, stretch contracted tendons, etc.
He intervenes in the maintenance of the *psychomotor, *vascular and respiratory capacity of the individual, preventing their alterations. He participates in the motor reeducation of the disabled, in the physical recovery of the traumatized person, in *neurological rehabilitation, in the reconditioning of *cardiopaths, in the rehabilitation of respiratory diseases, in the improvement of the spine *dysfunction, etc.
He examines deformities and body conditions to determine and prescribe artificial limbs and other *orthopedic appliances and assist in their placement and teaching of their use.
He applies *physiotherapy treatments and related *therapies in the treatment of the mentally ill or mentally handicapped patients.
He cares for healthy people for preventive purposes, reeducating in them the posture and use of their body; aesthetics or sports. He advises communities and individuals on working postures and appropriate movements designed to avoid injuries and fatigue and strengthen muscles.
He revamps methodologies, procedures and techniques in areas of his professional performance.
Occupational Field
Hospitals
Doctor’s offices
Health Centers
Institutional and Private Clinics
Rest Homes
Sports and/or Recreational Institutions
Industries
Companies
Schools, Institutes and Universities
He can also perform the liberal exercise of the profession in Private Consultation or in Societies of Physical Therapists or with other health professionals covering other areas of his competence.
Estimated time of College years
5 years
Main courses considered in the study plan
Basic Training Courses
Mathematics
Applied Physics (2 Semesters)
Biology
Organic Chemistry
*Evolutionary Psychology
Professional Training Courses
*Anatomy *Musculoskeletal System
Cell Biology and *Histology
*Biostatistics
*Physiology
*Biochemistry
Special *Didactics of Movement
*Neurophysiology
Tissue *Biomechanics
*Public Health
*Pathophysiology
*Extremity Biomechanics
*Traumatology and *Orthopedics
*Pathology and Pediatrics
Fundamentals of Physical Activity
*Biomechanics of the Spine and Thorax
*Physical Therapy (2 Semesters)
*Neurology (2 Semesters)
*Sports and Recreational Therapy
Research Method in Public Health
*Medical Gymnastics
*Medical Imaging
*Geriatrics and *Gerontology
Kinesiological Evaluation and Treatment for the Elderly
*Respiratory Kinesiotherapy
*Kinesiotherapy in *Traumatology
*Neurological *Kinesiotherapy
*Spine Kinesiotherapy
*Rehabilitation
*Psychomotricity
*Pharmacology
*Ergonomics
Workplace Health
Complementary Training Courses
Ethics and Morals
Health Administration
Instrumental English
Specialties
Neurologic Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy in Orthopedics and Traumatology: specialty in Spinal column and Extremities, Sports Physical Therapy, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, among others.
Vocation, Skills and Interests required in the candidate for this career
Interests
Curiosity for Biology, especially for anatomy
Interest in sports
Motivation in leaving a healthy life
Social sense
Skills
Manual dexterity
Ability in the establishment of interpersonal relationships that require direct physical contact
Ability to work as a team and lead work groups
Managerial skill
Observant
Perception in psychology
Vocation
Satisfaction for collaborating with people to live a healthy life, preserve their health and help in their recovery.
Or any specific dream or longing which feels involved or oriented towards this direction.
Candidate Personality
Sociable
*Empathetic
Caring
Work Scope
Hospital
Community
Sports
Related Careers
Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Physical Education Pedagogy, Special Education.
Glossary of Terms
*Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese medicine technique that deals with the insertion and manipulation of needles in the body with the aim of restoring health and well-being to the patient.
*Anatomy: Study of the body’s structure and how its different parts are related.
* Musculoskeletal System: System composed of the muscles and bones of the body, which allow the human being and animals to move and interact with the environment that surrounds them.
*Orthopedic Appliance: Device to correct or prevent deformities of the human body.
*Biostatistics: Application of statistics to biology and medicine.
*Biomechanics: Study of the behavior and conditions to which the structures of the body exposed to force and movement may be subject.
*Biochemistry: Study of the chemistry in living organisms.
*Cardiopath: Individual affected by a heart disease.
*Didactics: Part of teaching that deals with systems and practical teaching methods.
*Dysfunction: Alteration of the functioning of an organ or system.
*Ergonomics: Science that is in charge of adapting the human body to tasks and working equipment.
*Empathetic: Empathy: Become affectively involved in a reality that is not their own.
*Pharmacology: Study of drugs and the action they carry out in the body.
*Physiology: Science that studies the normal functions of organic beings.
*Pathophysiology: Organic malfunction.
*Physiotherapy: Healing method through natural means (air, water, light, etc) massages, gymnastics, etc.
*Phytotherapy: Treatment of diseases through plants or natural substances.
*Geriatrics: Study of diseases associated with old age and their treatment.
*Gerontology: Study of ageing, addressing aspects of the prevention of health, psychological, social, economic, demographic and other related to the elderly.
*Medical Gymnastics: Activity performed in order to improve physical health of people through the activity of the body.
*Histology: Study of organic tissues.
*Medical Imaging: Diagnostic tests in which equipment that reproduces images of the organism is used.
*Kinesiotherapy: Tratamientos de afecciones de huesos, ligamentos, músculos y nervios; utilizando el movimiento para su recuperación.
*Neurophysiology: Normal functions of the nervous system.
*Neurology: Study of the nervous system and its diseases.
*Neurological: Related to the nervous system.
*Orthopedics: Art of correcting or avoiding deformities of the human body by means of certain specific devices.
*Osteopathy: System of practical techniques which objective is to restore harmony and balance to the body, relieving pain and restoring functionality.
*Pathology: Disease.
*Evolutionary Psychology: Systematic psychological change that takes place throughout life.
*Psychomotricity: Relation between the psychic activity and the movement function of the human body.
*Rehabilitation: Techniques and recovery methods of a function or activity of the body.
*Public Health: They are the collective efforts destined to protect, promote and restore the health of the inhabitants of a community.
*Therapy: Treatment and care.
*Traumatology: Part of medicine that deals with injuries or damage to the muscles or bones produced by a sprain or blow.
*Vascular: Relative to blood vessels including veins, arteries and capillaries.
*Yoga: Body and psychological discipline which goal is to achieve body-mind balance.
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