Physical Therapist Course

Lesson 1 • History and Scope of Physical Therapy

Traces PT evolution from post-war rehabilitation to modern practice. Defines professional boundaries, roles, and ethical obligations central to the chapter.

Lesson 2 • Patient Communication and Professionalism

Develops therapeutic communication skills and professional conduct standards. Ensures students can build rapport and document interactions appropriately.

Lesson 3 • Healthcare Settings and Interdisciplinary Teams

Maps PT roles across acute, outpatient, and community settings. Prepares students to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary care teams.

Lesson 4 • Functional Anatomy for Therapists

Reviews musculoskeletal and neuromuscular anatomy relevant to movement. Provides the anatomical vocabulary used throughout all subsequent clinical chapters.

Lesson 1 • Range of Motion Measurement

Introduces goniometry and inclinometry for joint range quantification. Establishes baseline mobility data used to track patient progress over time.

Lesson 2 • Postural and Observational Assessment

Trains systematic visual analysis of static posture and dynamic alignment. Links postural deviations to potential musculoskeletal impairments addressed later.

Lesson 3 • Patient History and Subjective Intake

Teaches structured interviewing to capture chief complaint, history, and goals. Forms the subjective foundation of the SOAP note and clinical reasoning process.

Lesson 4 • Neurological Screening Techniques

Covers dermatome, myotome, and reflex testing to detect neurological involvement. Guides clinical decisions about further diagnostic referral or treatment modification.

Lesson 1 • Physical Therapy Diagnosis and Clinical Reasoning

Synthesizes examination data into a PT diagnosis using movement-based classification. Prepares students to justify clinical decisions with evidence-based reasoning.

Lesson 2 • Palpation and Tissue Assessment

Develops tactile skills for identifying tissue texture, temperature, and tenderness. Connects palpation findings to anatomical structures and inflammatory states.

Lesson 3 • Manual Muscle Testing

Teaches graded resistance testing of major muscle groups using standardized scales. Provides objective strength data essential for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Lesson 4 • Functional Movement Screening

Applies standardized movement screens to detect asymmetry and mobility deficits. Integrates findings into a comprehensive movement-based clinical picture.

Lesson 1 • Writing SMART Goals

Trains construction of specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. Ensures treatment targets are trackable and aligned with patient functional priorities.

Lesson 2 • Outcome Measurement and Progress Tracking

Introduces validated outcome tools for tracking patient progress over time. Teaches interpretation of minimal clinically important difference values for clinical decisions.

Lesson 3 • Intervention Selection and Prioritization

Guides matching of impairments to appropriate therapeutic interventions. Teaches prioritization when multiple deficits compete for limited treatment time.

Lesson 4 • Plan of Care Documentation

Covers structure and content of a complete plan of care document. Connects clinical reasoning to reimbursement-ready, legally defensible documentation.

Lesson 1 • Flexibility and Mobility Training

Covers static, dynamic, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching techniques. Addresses hypomobility impairments identified during the evaluation phase.

Lesson 2 • Neuromuscular and Balance Training

Introduces proprioceptive and coordination exercises to restore motor control. Addresses balance deficits and fall risk identified during functional movement screening.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Exercise Physiology

Reviews overload, specificity, and reversibility as applied to therapeutic contexts. Provides the physiological rationale for exercise dosage decisions throughout the chapter.

Lesson 4 • Aerobic Conditioning and Endurance

Designs aerobic programs for patients with deconditioning or chronic conditions. Applies exercise physiology principles to safe cardiovascular rehabilitation.

Lesson 1 • Manual Therapy for Special Populations

Adapts manual techniques for pediatric, geriatric, and post-surgical patients. Reinforces contraindication awareness and technique modification for vulnerable populations.

Lesson 2 • Soft Tissue Mobilization Methods

Covers myofascial release, friction massage, and instrument-assisted techniques. Addresses soft tissue restrictions identified during palpation and tissue assessment.

Lesson 3 • Joint Mobilization Grading and Application

Teaches Maitland and Kaltenborn grading systems for oscillatory joint mobilization. Connects hypomobility findings from evaluation to appropriate mobilization grade selection.

Lesson 4 • Spinal Manipulation Techniques

Introduces high-velocity low-amplitude thrust techniques for spinal regions. Emphasizes pre-manipulation screening and contraindication identification for patient safety.

Lesson 1 • Pediatric and Geriatric Rehabilitation

Adapts assessment and treatment approaches for developmental and age-related conditions. Addresses lifespan-specific impairments not covered in standard adult orthopedic protocols.

Lesson 2 • Neurological Rehabilitation Principles

Introduces neuroplasticity-based approaches for stroke, TBI, and spinal cord conditions. Applies motor learning theory to restore functional movement in neurological patients.

Lesson 3 • Orthopedic Rehabilitation Protocols

Covers phase-based rehabilitation for common musculoskeletal injuries and surgeries. Integrates exercise prescription and manual therapy into structured orthopedic protocols.

Lesson 4 • Sports and Performance Rehabilitation

Designs return-to-sport progressions and injury prevention programs for athletic patients. Integrates functional testing criteria to guide safe clearance for full activity.

Lesson 1 • Home Exercise Program Design

Teaches construction of safe, progressive home exercise programs for independent use. Ensures continuity of therapeutic gains beyond the clinical setting.

Lesson 2 • Criteria-Based Discharge Decision Making

Establishes objective criteria for determining readiness for discharge from PT services. Links discharge decisions to goal attainment data and functional outcome scores.

Lesson 3 • Patient Education Strategies

Covers health literacy assessment and tailored education delivery for diverse patients. Empowers patients with self-management knowledge to reduce recurrence risk.

Lesson 4 • Recurrence Prevention and Wellness

Designs long-term wellness and injury prevention strategies for post-discharge patients. Extends PT impact beyond episode of care into sustained health behavior change.