I'm a senior going to St. Louis University and I've been thinking about becoming a Physical Therapist. However, I was watching TV and those woman about 600 pounds had to see one for her legs which were really gross and large. The physical therapist had to feel/massage them. I'm not being mean but I could even look at the screen. I know I'll have to touch people and help them but helping someone with such sick/bad legs was not something I thought of.
Do you know any other careers in the medical field?
2007-12-28 11:17:13 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
What you probably observed was someone undergoing treatment for lymphedema. This is a very specialized area of physical therapy...you would not do this treatment unless you did special post-graduate education.
HOWEVER, as a PT, you will need to work with patients of all shapes and sizes. You will most likely need to do a rotation in a hospital setting, you will need to see and touch things like catheters, drains, adult diapers, etc. You might help patients up to the bedside commode...and yes, sometimes help them wipe (because the PCT isn't always around) etc. ...and yes, sometimes you will need to help obese patients move their legs, arms, etc.
There is plenty of time to get accomodated to this. Just about all health care job involve direct contact with a patient except for lab workers....then you just need to deal with their bodily fluids that get sent to you.
2007-12-29 01:31:07 · answer #1 · answered by mistify 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a Physical Therapist, you'll be helping people regain flexibility in their legs. Patinets will have a variety of issues like lowerback pain and recovering from serious broken bones. A football player like Kevin Everett who may have just had a bad injury will need physical therapy to regain strength in the muscles around the broken bone. Just avoid living in cities with the highest populations of obesity. Anyways, Im a senior and I'm going to be studying Physical Therapy at the University of Rhode Island (I'll be majoring in Kinesiology).
Athletic Trainer- If you begin to like morbidly obese people.
Optometrist- An eye specialist
Opthamologist- Another eye specialist who performs optical surgery
2007-12-28 12:04:12 · answer #2 · answered by Brian B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about a wounded veteran that's lost a leg? Could you do physical therapy with that person?
All of the medical jobs have their nasty side. They all have things that make them very rewarding and satisfying.
Speak to a physical therapist. Ask them about the career and what's good and bad about it.
2007-12-28 11:30:49 · answer #3 · answered by icabod 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you would be happier being an occupational therapist. They work with the top part of the body. Like teaching stroke victims to learn to eat again. Or working a lot with toddlers. Teaching them to draw, for example. Not too much gross stuff dealing with the hands and arms. Go for it!! It's really a rewarding career, and the money is good too. :)
2007-12-28 11:32:02 · answer #4 · answered by LadyLynn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any medical profession can be "gross", however it would be pushing it a bit for physical therapy; however, I'm sure they're things that could be. If your looking for a good/clean career, then medicine probally isn't for you. After all, doctors don't make as much money as other professions.
2007-12-28 11:22:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about a sonographer??? Do ultrasounds on pregnant women....
Forget the physical therapy, doctor, nurse, emt... all not for you!
2007-12-28 11:21:26 · answer #6 · answered by A W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋