what's the difference?

Question

i want to either be a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant (PTA)

do they do the same thing basically? what does one do that the other doesnt?

currently i would prefer the PTA because it only takes 2 years to become one instead of 6. but i might change my mind depending on what each really does.

sites are welcomed as well as experience

Answer 1

A physical therapy assistant is someone who works with the physical therapist that can help the physical therapist administer treatments that require the use of more than one person to administer the treatment to the patient. The physical therapy assistant also gets the treatment plan for a patient from the physical therapist and then helps the patient learn how to do the treatment such as if it's one that can be done at home.

The physical therapist is the one who prescribes a treatment plan after various testing methods are used to see what kind of a problem the patient has. Some of the treatments used they may do the work on the patient such as in the physical therapy offices that don't have physical therapy assistants to help out.

To learn even more about the two professions please check out: http://physicaltherapy.about.com

Answer 2

The above answer is very accurate...

The main difference is that PTAs do not do assessments and cannot make major changes to a program before contacting the primary PT. In some states, they are restricted from performing certain techniques...can almost never perform manipulations to the spine (although many PTs cannot either)

The responsibility of the PT is greater, but so is the compensation. Most PTAs earn between $35-50,000 a year with very few earning more than $50,000 where most PTs earn between $50-70,000 a year with still about 25% earning greater than that.

There is no good way to bridge from PTA to PT except for two programs in the country...one in CA and one in OH...so if you have any inclination of eventually becoming a PT, it's best to do it from the start.