True story. The end.

Hey yall, I would really appreciate some advice from people in the field. I've been working as a PTA in an outpatient clinic for 4 years and have been increasingly exhausted by corporate overloading us and not increasing any pay. I've been feeling like I'm barely keeping my head above water. I feel like my only option is to go back to school.

Here's my dilemma: my parent company announced they're partnering with a university and will pay 25% of tuition for FT employees. I'd be able to keep my benefits which as a single woman is important. However this won't be available to me until 2027 at the earliest d/t reciprocity and accreditation timeline. Do I stick with my current job for that schooling discount? Do I find a different, higher paying job and say screw it? Should I start selling feet pics?

I do love the team I work with but I just want to be able to breath.

Has anyone ever done liens in AZ? Our office got an offer from a Lien office to handle their MVA patients, and the payment is insanely high. Any down sides?

Hello po. I recently pass the licensure PT exam. I am exploring my options other than Grandison. Baka may mga members po dito na nag DIY po patungo US. I heard from Grandison na if from PH may deficiency po sa credits depende sa schoo. If that's the case po. Paano po siya nalalaman? and ano anv gagawin? saan po mag apply na univ. para bawiin ang deficiency? And kailangan po ba mag take muna ng NPTE bago mag tDPT? And if pwede tDPT muna. How much po do I need to expect? can you still work po while studying? I also heard na two universities na usually ina applyan ng mga PT here sa PH. Any thoughts po sa Univ. of Montana and Arcadia University po?

Thank you po huhu.

I paid over $5000 on one semester of PTA school. I can't be refunded. After 3 weeks in I was removed from the program because I couldn't get over a 74% on my test. We are tested every Friday up to 3 test. A computerized test, an oral test, and a lab test. Is it normal if you are making a high B in the class for the PTA programs to drop you over one test? We are given a second attempt but we are not allowed to know what we missed or what we should focus on.

Hey guys,

I wanted to create a thread to see how other fellow clinic owners are doing since I am a few years out of school and would love some feedback. I didn't see any threads that broke things down so here is my first attempt.

I operate a cash PT clinic and this is my 3rd year operating out of a physical location (before I was mostly doing house calls and renting out space from local private gyms). I am 5 years out of school and based on the east coast.

I spent roughly 150k with renovations.

The first year, my operating expenses (outside of start-up costs) were roughly 144k. It has been roughly the same in year 2.

The first year, I made gross 150k so I didn't take home any profits.
The second year, I made gross 295k so I managed to take home ~151k.
This year, I am anticipating making gross 350k. Anticipating to take home ~206k.

Would love to hear what other clinic owners think and ways to scale.

Right now I am a solo operator with no billing staff. I managed to make it work with using efficient billing/scheduling software (janeapp) which makes billing such a breeze.

Howdy everyone

A few years back, I established a scholarship for my alma mater in Texas. The purpose of the scholarship was to remove a barrier to PT school by paying the application fees for prospective students, with a preference for folks that are underrepresented in our profession. I’ve recently talk to the university about renewing the terms, and was informed that Texas now has a law barring scholarship preferences for anything other than financial need.

I’d still like to have this scholarship exist, because I feel strongly about having therapists that reflect the varied demographics we treat. With that in mind, I’m looking for another university in a different state. I don’t really care where, as long as the scholarship will fulfill my intent. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks for your time.

Edit: I’ve been told this is due to an EO and will affect all publicly funded universities. With that in mind, I’m open to suggestions for private schools

I recently saw a technique in action that involved:

—Pulling toes toward the shins (dorsiflexion)

—Controlled breathing exercises

—Brushing the tongue back and forth against the roof of the mouth

Someone having a panic attack used this, and their heart rate dropped from 180 BPM to a stabilized 90, monitored in real time. I’m mind-blown by the physiology behind this and want to know, what is this technique called, and what’s the science behind it?

Hi everyone!

I recently started doing PRN home health on the side, and I’m curious how my pay compares to others. I currently get paid $55 for regular visits, $65 for evals and re-evals, and $80 for SOC.

Thanks in advance!

I have a really amazing PTA at the therapy place I go to (in PA, if that matters), and I've been seeing some progress but I feel like 2 one-hour sessions a week isn't enough and my insurance won't cover more than that. I was thinking about asking them to see me privately a few times a week but I'm nervous about how to approach that or if I should. My PTA has told me that I need to do things on my own at home and has helped build my confidence with exercising, but I would really rather have more time with them. Please let me know what you think, I don't know how this works!?

Helped a patient change her socks today. Found a giant skin flake in my hair later. Hope you all are having a good day.

I’m willing to give up my $130k annual salary, $10k tuition reimbursement and all other benefits to get away from a coworker.Have you ever worked with a coworker who wasn’t the manager but just micro-managed everything and made your life hell? They try to do everyone’s jobs (even the doctors) because obviously no one does all their jobs as well as them (sarcasm). I’ve been working with a coworker (we are both DPT) in a rural critical access hospital where we see IP/OP/swing bed for three years. She will read other PTS documents and critique the way they document and treatments. She will randomly remove a patient from their primary therapist schedule onto hers if she doesn’t like how the therapist is treating them. She’s very hypercritical/very vocal if she thinks you’re incompetent if she doesn’t like the way you treat, document, or even if you used a simple term incorrectly. We can’t keep full time staff because of her but she’s been here for over ten years and being a rural hospital HR won’t do anything about it because they are scared to lose another employee who’s been here for so long. Even my manager has admitted we have lost many employees because of her but he also won’t do/say anything in fear of losing another employee. Every traveler we have had has had a problem with her because of her micro-management. PT should be one of the most laid back jobs in the world in my opinion. There is no room for toxicity like this in our work place. I have applied to 3 different places already and I’m okay with any pay cut I have to take.

What kind of business insurance will I need for a cash side-gig doing post discharge “personal training” or “fitness” in a patient’s home?

Would you just do liability?

And any personal recommendations for companies? I haven’t looked into this in a few years so not sure what’s out there anymore.

Thanks!

I've been bodybuilding for four years with little muscle or strength gain despite working with a top coach who oversees my training and nutrition. A few months ago, I started PT to fix a major upper-body imbalance caused by poor posture and discovered I have extremely limited scapular and core control, along with weak neuromuscular connection to my back. These issues affect nearly every lift, and after years of no progress, I’m close to giving up.

Before quitting, I decided to address the root problem. After struggling with inconsistent form and trying every cue possible, I turned to PT to build strength and improve my lifts. My form issues are real, not just self-criticism—my PT agrees. I’m not in pain, but my progress feels stagnant.

My concern: My PT frequently changes exercises without assessing my progress. I pay out of pocket at a respected sports clinic and check in biweekly, but her approach feels random. As a bodybuilder, this makes me question whether she’s applying principles like progressive overload. Shouldn’t she be tracking progress and adjusting based on results? My range of motion and strength haven’t improved, and I’m frustrated.

Any advice? I don’t believe switching bodybuilding coaches or hiring a gym trainer would help, as my coach is highly successful, and my issues seem too fundamental for a general trainer to fix. I’d love some insight on how PT’s program and make changes.

Edited to add: she does CrossFit and the clinic is associated with a CrossFit gym if that makes any difference in helping to how that might influence programming.

How long does it take to receive JP exam results if you have to take it in person at the prometric center?

A lot of negativity in this sub, some of it warranted and some of it is just absurd. However, for anyone in this sub that’s trying to get into PT school, currently in PT school, or just graduated, this profession is dope. Every day you have the opportunity to make someone feel better, physically, spiritually, and/or emotionally. You grow to form relationships with patients. They bring you food, check in on you, remember things you tell them about your personal life. New patients will come to you saying “oh ‘so and so’ recommended me to you, they say you’re great”. Yes, at the end of the days I’m mentally exhausted and go to bed earlier now than I ever have. However, I don’t dread waking up. I don’t dread going into the clinic. While I’m in the clinic, my days go by relatively quick. This sub has too much negativity and I can see how it scares people away from this profession. I’m just trying to shine light and say this profession is dope and you’ll love it if you’re in it for the right reasons.

I found this picture on a website and I'm specifically confused on the side position. I actually sleep with my bottom arm in front of me, bent at the elbow, and my top arm resting on my side. So, when I saw this picture, it threw me off. I don't understand what's incorrect about it. Does anyone know, or is this a fine side sleeping position? Thanks.

Here is the image: https://ibb.co/1GfF7XM8

Hi guys, hope you’re doing well! Just wanted to share a big win with you all. I’ve been working with a little one who, due to early intervention limitations, hasn’t had physical therapy hours, so I’ve been focusing on lower extremity strengthening and mobility over the past three months. Well, today was a huge milestone—she took independent steps on her own! Mom sent me a video, and she was absolutely thrilled, which made my day too.

I noticed a few things about her gait though there’s a noticeable gap between her legs, and her left leg turns outward when she walks. Since she’s now walking, I want to continue building on her progress and help her walk as properly as possible moving forward. I’ve already worked on ankle strengthening, leg strengthening, and weight-bearing on both even and uneven surfaces, so we’re definitely seeing improvements, but I want to ensure she continues making gains.

I’m pulling from my experience working with kids with cerebral palsy and also from my time in neuro outpatient rehab, helping stroke patients relearn how to walk. I’ve basically applied a lot of what I know from those settings, and it’s really worked with her. However, I’m wondering if anyone has more specific suggestions or resources for further strengthening and improving lower extremity function in kids under two, especially now that she’s walking.

I want to make sure she continues walking well, so any insights or exercises would be really appreciated! I’ve got a session with her tomorrow afternoon, so any quick advice would be amazing.

Thanks so much!

How do companies determine the salaries they offer? Why does a PT in NYC, for example, make more than a therapist practicing in Nebraska?

I work in a nonprofit outpatient hospital clinic. The higher-ups informed us that we can't turn patients away who have bed bugs as it could be discriminatory. Not sure how I feel about this...

So if you have specialties, earn terminal degree, meet/exceed productivity, receive excessive positive pt care reviews, guess what that gives you at hospitals? Nothing. What does? Sucking up to mgmt and making their day easier. If you give better pt care-no one will reward you. But if you play the game you may get the 1-3 job "opportunities" for clinicians in upper and middle mgmt that is open to bonuses

🤮😂

I noticed a lot of school jobs are now contract. So you work for a non profit but you're paid by a for profit. Your pay rate is that of a non profit tho...so you should get those benefits like PSLF. Who the fuck are these contact companies taking away non profit jobs?

Hey everyone,

I have my first interview for a physiotherapy role with a women’s football team coming up, and I’d love some advice! I have a background in physiotherapy but haven’t worked in a football team environment before.

What should I focus on when preparing? Any key injuries, rehab protocols, or general tips for working in a football setting? Also, any suggestions on what questions I might get asked and how to stand out?

Would really appreciate any insights from those with experience in sports physio or working with teams! Thanks in advance.

Good day! I'm a foreign educated PT who currently holds a PTA license. I'm starting a job 2 weeks from now in an SNF setting. I don't have much experience as a PT since right after I passed my boards exam in my country, I immediately moved to the US. So, what I'm saying is, I'm basically a new grad 🥹

I have heard/read a lot of bad things about SNF, but tbh I don't have a choice since most clinics/hospitals won't accept someone without any experience 🥺 I'm really nervous that this job won't work out and I would probably quit or get fired after a few months.

Any advice/tips for me before starting the job? I would really appreciate it 🥹

Hi all! My son's pre-K teacher has asked if I could come in one morning and tell his class about my job as a physical therapist (she's asked a few other of the parents in different fields). I did this last year for his preschool class and it went fairly well, but I'm looking for some new creative ideas to make it fun for them.

Here's what I did last year:

• I brought in plastic models of different joints (shoulder, knee, hip) and had the kids guess what they were, then shows them muscles, ligaments, bones, tendons, etc.
• I brought an inclinometer, a goniometer, and a reflex hammer, and used one kid to show how to use each
• I gave each kid a piece of latex-free theraband and then we went around the class and each kid had to come up with an exercise either using the band or not to strengthen an assigned muscle (glute, quad, biceps, etc)

There are 30 kids in the class so things can get a bit chaotic! Something like a book, a game, a song, or any other ideas would be much appreciated. Thank you!