How to Start a Physical Therapy Business

Physical therapy practices are part of an ever-changing health sciences industry. Physical therapy has become 1 of the main ways that doctors help patients to overcome injury, regain mobility and learn proper body mechanics. After years of working as a physical therapist, you may decide you want to own your own practice. You should evaluate your motivation, financial health and competition to determine if you can feasibly start a successful physical therapy business. It is important to be slow and deliberate with your plans, because, like any small business, it will face many challenges on the road to profitability. Learn how to start a physical therapy business.
1) Research the market before deciding to start a physical therapy business.

There is a lot of competition in physical therapy practices. Consider it a feasible idea if 1 of the following are true:

• You offer specialty services that are under represented in your town. This may include pediatric, geriatric, pool therapy, joint, sport or other physical therapy specializations. If you research your competition and find it is small or caters to a different niche market, then you will have an advantage.
• You plan to hire other specialty physical therapists or provide other underrepresented services, such as pool therapy or massage.
• You want to start a franchise of an established Physical Therapy clinic. If you currently work for a bustling physical therapy practice, or you know of 1 that is open to expansion, schedule a meeting to discuss starting a franchise in another location. You can use the reputation and network that is already created, while still running your own business.

2) Create a business plan.

Within the plan, you should explain the business objective, plans to raise financial support, competition, management, marketing, a calendar and the time period in which the business should become profitable. If you are struggling with this step, get help from a chapter of the small business bureau or hire a business consultant.


3) Leave your previous position on a positive note.

Starting your own practice can be contentious because you are likely to be competition for your current employers. Explain the reasons you feel it is necessary to start your practice and your desire to remain on good terms.


4) Create an account on the American Physical Therapy Association website.

Visit their section on starting a practice at apta.org/PracticeOwnership. You can find excellent advice for choosing a structure, leasing space and more.


5) Choose a location for your physical therapy practice.

As soon as you have secured funding, or while you are in the process, you should look for a location with the nearby demographic you often treat. Consider being away from your competition but close to a medical facility.


6) Begin filling out and filing all the necessary paperwork for your physical therapy practice.
There are a number of things that are required by the state or country to ensure you are doing business within the legal framework. This includes articles of incorporation, partnerships and tax documents.

• Choose a name that is easy to remember. If you plan to have a solo practice, you may just want to use your full name. If you plan to hire more physical therapists, you may choose a general name that states the purpose of your clinic. Fill out and file a "Doing Business As" form with the county or state.
• Make sure your personal physical therapy license is up to date with the state. Then, apply for a business license in your county and state.
• File your incorporation documents with the state. Also, apply for an Employment Identification Number (EIN) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This will allow you to hire employees and withhold income tax.
• Apply for insurance. This may include practice liability insurance, malpractice insurance, property insurance and health insurance for employees. You may hire a small business consultant to help research your options.
• Join physical therapy networks, such as PTPN, if you want to accept insurance. It is a good idea for many practices. You can receive insurance contracts through these networks. This usually means receiving a listing on their website and payment, in exchange for some substantial discounts when you receive payment from the insurance company.

7) Hire competent and trustworthy staff for your business.

After you secure a location and file paperwork, you will begin forming the structure of your office. Identify and fill the places according to the space, number of physical therapists you want, assistants and other staff.


8) Begin marketing your business as soon as you are able to.
As well as doing television, radio and print advertising, you should begin marketing your specialty services to local doctors, clinics and hospitals. Referrals from friends, family and medical practices are likely to provide the majority of your patients.

• Set your rates according to their going rate in your state. You may decide to give discounts for new clients in the first 6 months, to help your practice get started.
• Create a Website and put all your products and services on it. Visit freemarketmediagroup
• Hire SEO so they could help you market your business and gain more clients faster. Contact freemarketmediagroup for a SEO support.

10) Be persistent.
It will take a few years of networking, marketing, overtime and strong management to make a new physical therapy business a success. If you are determined to see the business to a successful stage, then you are more likely to be able to handle the obstacles that you face.
Resources : wikihow

How much do physical therapy earn?

Physical therapists are responsible for assisting patients with injuries or chronic medical conditions, rehabilitating their physical movement, and treat their pain.
Physical therapists provide individual care to patients of all ages who have arthritis, sprains, back injuries, fractures, birth injuries, amputations, and many other conditions. Physical therapists diagnose the patients, set up a treatment plan, use therapy to increase their ability, and evaluate patient progress.

Salary
How much do physical therapists make? According to May 2012 records from the Bureau of Labor Statistics,

the mean annual physical therapist salary is $81,110. In other words, the 191,460 physical therapists employed nationwide received a mean hourly wage of $38.99. The lowest ten percent of the field earned an annual salary of $55,620, while the top ten percent of physical therapists earned a sizeable annual salary of $112,020.

However, the salary of a physical therapist varies greatly depending on experience level, location, industry, and specialty. The highest paying industries for physical therapists are in home health care services at $90,440, as well as scientific consulting services at $87,170 annually. Physical therapists specialized in pediatrics can earn up to $77,737 each year, while those trained in neurology can make up to $116,350. Newly licensed physical therapists with less than one year of experience may only earn around $69,858, but those with 20 plus years of experience tend to gross up to $98,281.

Furthermore, the top-paying states within the physical therapy occupation are Nevada at $110,670, Alaska at $89,950, and New Jersey at $89,830. On the flip side, the states with the lowest annual salary for physical therapists are Hawaii at $67,000, Louisiana at $71,000, and Nebraska at $74,000. While all states compensate physical therapists quite well, physical therapists can earn a very lucrative six-figure salary within certain industries and states.

Work Environment 

Physical therapists typically find employment in private health offices or clinics, hospitals, home health care services, and residential nursing home facilities. In addition, around 7 percent of all physical therapists are self-employed within their own practice or partnership. The work day for a physical therapist can be quite demanding, requiring the individual to spend most of the time on their feet and active. The vast majority of physical therapists work full-time schedules, although an estimated 29 percent work part-time. With advances in medical technology and an aging population, it is expected that the work environment for physical therapists will continue to prosper at a faster than average rate of 39 percent from 2010 to 2020.

For Detailed info about wages of a physical therapy check this link bls.gov

Reference Site: access2knowledge

How to become a Physical Therapist Assistant

A physical therapist assistant (PTA) provides therapeutic care to patients under the supervision of physical therapists. They help patients who have been injured in accidents, have had surgery or who are ill regain mobility or manage their pain. They also supervise physical therapist aides.

Employment Facts:
Physical therapist assistants held over 67,000 jobs in 2010. More than half were in outpatient facilities and over a quarter were in hospitals. A small number of PT assistants work in nursing and residential care facilities.

Typically, PTAs work full time. There are some, but not many, part time jobs. PT offices must be staffed on weekends and evenings to accommodate clients' schedules.

Educational Requirements:
One needs to earn an associate degree from a physical therapy assistant program that combines academic coursework with clinical training. Students take courses in algebra, English, psychology and anatomy and physiology.

Other Requirements:
Most states require physical therapist assistants to be a licensed. Use the Licensed Occupation Tool from careeronestop to find out if the state in which you plan to work is one of them. To get a license, you will need to earn your degree from an accredited program. PTAs are also required to have certification in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and other first aid procedures.

A degree and license allows one to be a physical therapist but it does not make one good at this job. For that you need certain characteristics. You must be compassionate. Your patients, many of whom are struggling to recover from illnesses and injuries, are relying on you to help them and you should enjoy doing so. For treatment to be successful, health care providers must keep accurate records and follow instructions to the letter. Therefore attention to detail is imperative. Good interpresonal skills will help with your interactions with clients and colleagues. Spending hours on your feet and moving around a lot can be exhausting but as a physical therapist assistant, that is what you will be doing. If you don't have physical stamina, you will be unable to withstand this. You need manual dexterity to provide therapy and help patients with their exercises.

Job Outlook:
The job outlook for physical therapist assistants is excellent with projections of much faster than average job growth, as compared to other occupations, through 2020. In addition, it is predicted to be, by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, one of the fastest growing occupations that requires post-secondary training or an associate degree.
Earnings:
Physical therapist assistants earned a median annual salary of $51,040 and median hourly wages of $24.54 in 2011.

Use the Salary Calculator at Salary.com to find out how much physical therapist assistants and physical therapist aides currently earn in your city.

A Day in a Physical Therapist Assistant's Life:

On a typical day a physical therapist assistant will:

• receive instructions from a physical therapist
• treat patients using massage and stretching
• assist patients with exercises prescribed by a physical therapist
• instruct patients and their caregivers in doing exercises at home
• observe patients during treatment
• instruct and supervise physical therapist aides

source careerplanning

Best Physical Therapy Methods

From breaks to bruises to bursitis, physical therapists have a special knack for assessing the human body and helping restore it back to optimal performance. Armed with cutting edge equipment and a huge background of knowledge, PTs can help diagnose and treat many common ailments and movement disorders. But despite having a slew of cool toys (laser therapy anyone?), their most useful tool for treatment may be their hands. Read on for the need-to-know on the most popular treatment options for whatever injury might come along.

Let's Get Physical -- The Assessment
The first step in the treatment process of any good physical therapist is evaluation. Expect

therapists to ask detailed questions about how the injury came about, but also do some expert sleuth work (since the injured area may be a result and not the starting point of poor movement). According to Dr. Mike Reinold, a Boston-based PT and therapist for the Red Sox, therapists may be able to reduce the pain quickly, but that will only be temporary unless they address the root cause of the problem.

Although patients may come to see therapists for a variety of causes, low back aches, knee pain, and overuse injuries are among the most common complaints. Following a thorough investigation, therapists will begin to lay out a treatment plan, which will commonly include passive modalities (ice, heat, laser therapy and electrical stimulation to name a few). But more often than not, manual therapy -- a term that includes many methods of restoring tissue function like massage, stretching and exercise -- is the foundation for the assessment and treatment of an injury, Reinold says. Just don't anticipate hopping (or running, swimming, or lifting) back into activity right away. According to Dr. Eugene Babenko, a physical therapist based in New York City, the average length of care for musculoskeletal (read: bone and muscle injuries) can be anywhere from four to six weeks.
Putting The Pieces Together -- The Treatment
Ready to get going on the road to recovery? Before heading to your local PT office blindly, Greatist consulted with Reinold and Babenko to break down the most effective treatment methods for a variety of ailments, big and small. Note: The following section covers general assessments, not meant to take the place of professional medical advice, which will vary on a case-by-case basis.

Manual Therapy
Best for: Any injury
This hands-on approach separates physical therapists from other health practitioners. Although manual therapy may refer to many things, therapists usually employ common tactics like stretching, massage, and hands-on strengthening exercises to reeducate the body into proper movement and mechanics. “Manual therapy is a prime method to removing movement restrictions and helping patients move better,” according to Reinold. He also advises that manual therapy should form the backbone of any treatment plan, not modalities like ice and electric stimulation.

Ice
Best for: Injuries involving inflammation and swelling
Ice can be a major component of injury treatment. By constricting blood vessels after application, ice is an effective way to reduce and even prevent inflammation immediately following an injury. Cold therapy can also leave the joint more mobile and enhance manual therapy. Although it's difficult to nail down the most effective protocol, applying cold packs to inflamed areas has been shown to significantly reduce swelling in soft tissue injuries.

Heat
Best for: Injuries involving muscular spasms and tightness
Applying heat has been shown to decrease pain and increase mobility after some injuries -- mainly those involving soft tissue like muscles, tendons and ligaments. By making the tissue more pliable, the therapist can better stretch the affected area. Note: Heat is just one tool to help the therapist be more effective, Reinold says, it shouldn't be the main focus of a treatment plan.

Ultrasound
Best for: Connective tissue injuries
By using sound waves (undetectable to the human ear) to generate heat deep in the body, ultrasound therapy can help loosen up tissues in preparation for manual therapy or exercise. How it works: Therapists use a wand (unfortunately not the magic kind!) to apply the sound waves directly -- and safely -- to the skin. Ultrasound has also been shown to increase ligament-healing speed in our furry counterparts (read: rats), though more studies are needed to show whether the same holds true for us.

Low-Level Laser
Best for: Muscular or connective tissue injuries
Laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing (well below the skin so you don't feel a thing). Best-case scenario: The treatment can help reduce inflammation, muscle fatigue and pain. It can also allow the therapist to move the affected joint around easier with less discomfort.

Traction
Best for: Disc herniation
When we stand, our spine is consistently bearing our weight making recovery from back pain difficult, Reinold says. Traction involves separating vertebrae to allow more space for nerves and less compression on disc cartilage. Some research shows that traction can be effective for reducing pain and enhancing quality of life in patients with a herniated lumbar disc. And since it doesn't involve going under the knife, this can be an effective treatment option for those who can't afford a long recovery.

Functional Electrical Stimulation
Best for: Restoring muscular strength
It’s electric -- no really. Electrical stimulation, also referred to as ESTIM, is a common treatment option to restore muscular function following a traumatic injury. By applying a minor but steady electrical stimulus, therapists can cause contractions from muscles that may otherwise remain dormant. This leads to restoring proper movement and function sooner than relying on exercise alone. While ESTIM can't restore movement in every case, research shows it can speed recovery following ACL and total knee replacement surgery over the course of a few weeks. Additional research confirms the use of ESTIM as an effective treatment option to restore function in hemiplegic patients (those with one side of the body paralyzed).

Exercise
Best for: Any injury to stay healthy after treatment
It may sound obvious, but exercise is a go-to strategy to treat and prevent pain. But these aren't just any old run of the mill exercises -- they're hand-picked to help patients move better by strengthening targeted muscles and addressing any muscular imbalances that may exist, Babenko says. Also, keep in mind that many injuries can crop up (or recur) from a sedentary and repetitive lifestyle, Reinold explains. (Think: hunching over the computer or obsessing over that Instagram feed.) By performing any sort regular exercise, those with even the most sedentary day-to-day can avoid common nagging aches and pains.

Ready to get checked out? Many patients can be referred to therapy by their primary care physicians after an initial checkup. Additionally, new state-by-state direct access laws now allow those in pain to head straight to their local therapist (check your state guidelines for specifics).

Have you tried any of these therapies? Got any others to add? Share them in the comments below.

Disclaimer: Remember that none of this information should substitute professional medical advice. Always check with a doctor or physical therapist first once those aches and pains arise!

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What is Sports Physical Therapy?

Sports Physical Therapy is a specialized practice that focuses on prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement of the physically-active individual.

Prevention
The practice of sports physical therapy includes those interventions that assist the athletically-active individual in preventing injuries and then, if an injury occurs, continuing their pursuits with minimal disruptions. Areas of this practice include pre-participation screening, equipment recommendations, and cardiovascular fitness programs designed to assist in a safe and unremarkable return to activity.

Evaluation
Sports physical therapists are highly skilled in evaluation of active and chronic injuries. A hallmark of this practice is the assessment of surgical and non-surgical neuromusculoskeletal injuries. Included in this is the functional assessment of the individual post-injury to assist in a safe return to activity.

Treatment & Rehabilitation
Treatment and rehabilitation of neuromusculoskeletal injuries is at the center of sports physical therapy practice. In a team approach with physicians, the sports physical therapist designs and implements programs for the management of these disorders in clients of all ages and physical abilities, including those with physical disabilities as well as elite athletes.

Performance Enhancement
Sports physical therapists assist athletically-active individuals to improve their performance in a variety of ways. The foundation of performance enhancement is provided by a thorough evaluation of the neuromusculoskeletal and the cardiovascular-pulmonary systems. The results of this evaluation are compiled to outline strengths and weaknesses in an individual's physical profile. This profile can then be matched to the individual's specific athletic activity. Areas of deficiency in flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and in the aerobic/anaerobic systems can be outlined in a specific training regime. Follow-up evaluations can determine further training program changes. 

Research
Treatment and rehabilitation are constantly changing in response to our interpretation of the basic and clinical sciences. The sports physical therapist is a part of a team that is researching and implementing research findings to assist the athletically active individual in his or her pursuits. 

Education
Education of athletes and their parents and coaches about the various preventative and management techniques previously discussed is a service that sports physical therapists provide. Sports physical therapists are also involved in educating physical therapists, other allied health professionals, and physicians in these important areas.

From spts

Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) provide physical therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. PTAs help people of all ages who have medical problems, or other health-related conditions that limit their ability to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities, and more. PTAs may also measure changes in the patient's performance as a result of the physical therapy provided.

Care provided by a PTA may include teaching patients/clients exercise for mobility, strength and coordination, training for activities such as walking with crutches, canes, or walkers, massage, and the use of physical agents and electrotherapy such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation.

What Do PTAs Earn?
The median income for a physical therapist assistant is $46,000 depending on position, years of experience, degree of education, geographic location, and practice setting.

Where Do PTAs Work?
Today, physical therapist assitants provide health care services to patients of all ages and health conditions in a variety of settings, including:

• Outpatient clinics or offices
• Hospitals
• Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
• Skilled nursing, extended care, or subacute facilities
• Homes
• Education or research centers
• Schools
• Hospices
• Industrial, workplace, or other occupational environments
• Fitness centers and sports training facilities

What are the Educational Requirements for Becoming a PTA?
To work as a PTA, an individual must graduate with an associate degree (two years, usually five semesters) from an accredited PTA program at a technical or community college, college, or university. Graduates must pass the national examination for licensing/certification/regulation in most states to be eligible to work. PTAs work under the direction of a physical therapist (PT).

The PTAs' duties can include assisting in instructing patients in exercises and activities of daily living (including physical modalities), using special equipment, collecting data on the patient's progress, and documenting and reporting on the patient's response. There are currently 235 institutions supporting 252 PTA programs across the country.

What Are the Licensure Requirements for Becoming a PTA?
Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia require PTAs to be licensed, registered, or certified. States requiring licensure stipulate specific educational and examination criteria.

What is the Employment Outlook for PTAs?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to grow much faster than average because of increasing demand for physical therapy services. Job prospects for physical therapist assistants are expected to be very good. The American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA's) most recent data indicate an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent.

How Do I Become a PTA?
Are you interested in becoming a PTA? Learn how in our Prospective Students section!

From apta

What Do Physical Therapist Do?

You have probably heard of the profession of physical therapy. Maybe you have had a conversation with a friend about how physical therapy helped get rid of his or her back pain, or you might know someone who needed physical therapy after an injury. You might even have been treated by a physical therapist yourself. But have you ever wondered about physical therapists–who they are and what they do? Many people are familiar with physical therapists’ work helping patients with orthopedic problems, such as low back pain or knee surgeries, to reduce pain and regain function. Others may be aware of the treatment that physical therapists provide to assist patients recovering from a stroke (e.g., assisting them with recovering use of their limbs and walking again).

The ability to maintain an upright posture and to move your arms and legs to perform all sorts of tasks and activities is an important component of your health. Most of us can learn to live with the various medical conditions that we may develop, but only if we are able to continue at our jobs, take care of our families, and enjoy important occasions with family and friends. All of these activities require the ability to move without difficulty or pain.

Because physical therapists are experts in movement and function, they do not confine their talents to treating people who are ill. A large part of a physical therapist’s program is directed at preventing injury, loss of movement, and even surgery. Physical therapists work as consultants in industrial settings to improve the design of the workplace and reduce the risk of workers overusing certain muscles or developing low back pain. They also provide services to athletes at all levels to screen for potential problems and institute preventive exercise programs. With the boom in the golf and fitness industries, a number of physical therapists are engaged in consulting with recreational golfers and fitness clubs to develop workouts that are safe and effective, especially for people who already know that they have a problem with their joints or their backs.

The cornerstones of physical therapy treatment are therapeutic exercise and functional training. In addition to “hands-on” care, physical therapists also educate patients to take care of themselves and to perform certain exercises on their own. Depending on the particular needs of a patient, physical therapists may also “mobilize” a joint (that is, perform certain types of movements at the end of your range of motion) or massage a muscle to promote proper movement and function. Physical therapists also use methods such as ultrasound (which uses high frequency waves to produce heat), hot packs, and ice. Although other kinds of practitioners will offer some of these treatments as “physical therapy,” it’s important for you to know that physical therapy can only be provided by certified physical therapists or by physical therapist interns, who work only under the direction and supervision of physical therapists.

School Based Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a related service provided to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. School physical therapy focuses on a child's ability to move as independently as possible in the school environment. The school physical therapist evaluates the child's ability to move throughout the school and to participate in classroom activities.

The decision of whether a child with a disability qualifies for school physical therapy is made by a team. This team determines whether the child has a disability, has a need for special education, and requires related services such as physical therapy.

Physical therapy interventions are designed to enable the student to travel throughout the school environment; participate in classroom activities; maintain and change positions in the classroom; as well as manage stairs, restrooms, and the cafeteria.

Approximately 6,158 children receive school based physical therapy. There are 280 school based physical therapists and 40 physical therapist assistants in Wisconsin public schools.

From dpi

The Importance of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a treatment method involving exercises to treat and help in the recovery of musculoskeletal disorders. The main aim of physical therapy is bringing back the patient from painful and motion limiting conditions after an injury or sickness to his or normal state of health in order to resume a normal way of life. Physical therapy is very essential for patients who are suffering from cardiopulmonary and neurological problems as it help in the recovery process.

Physical therapy is also important to persons with permanent disabilities. The therapy teaches them how to cope and function within their limitation in the event that they will live with the situation for the rest of their lives. Major injury and accident survivors who are in the phase of recuperation or people suffering from crippling diseases such as arthritis, lower back pain, or even cerebral palsy should opt for physical therapy due to its rapid curing and healing abilities.

A patient can regain full or a major share of his/her mobility and achieve flexibility, balance, and coordination through physical therapy under the supervision of a physiatrist expert. Physical therapy will help a great deal in improving the overall fitness and health of the patient. There are children who have issues related to delays in physical development which result in muscle and joint weaknesses. Children facing such challenges can be rescued by using physical therapy. In such cases, the therapist will mostly depend on a variety of techniques such as balance and coordination workouts, stretching exercises, ultrasound therapies, and electrical stimulation on the affected parts which can help the child build better physical strength.

In order for the therapy to be effective, it is important that the patient shows positive response to the treatment. This can be achieved if the patient is psychologically prepared and is in a positive frame of mind before the treatment commences.