am i too physically too small?

[indecisive123]

I have seen a couple threads about how long someone can last in PT (i.e. past the age of 60) because it is a physically demanding career. However, I'm also wondering if size could also be a roadblock.

I am a 5'2'', 105 pounds and a female. And while I am pretty physically fit (I run a lot and occasionally lift weights), I am definitely not super strong.


Is PT feasible for someone like me?
I really think I would enjoy PT but, at the same time, I don't want my size to be a limitation.

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[calidpt32]

A therapist in my outpatient orthopedic clinic I work at is also 5'2" and weighs about 118 pounds. She is also very active and works out religiously. From what I have seen, she does not have any limitations when it comes to treating her patients. She utilizes our high low tables and our step stools but that is very rare. I wouldn't let your size doubt your ability to be an effective pt. There are always ways around being on the smaller side.

 

[TheOx777]

I would have to agree with calidpt. During my observation hours I noticed a fair share of the female PTs who were relatively petite and small. They seemed to get along just fine. PT can be physically demanding, but that is not always the case!

 

[ptootles]

A therapist in my outpatient orthopedic clinic I work at is also 5'2" and weighs about 118 pounds. She is also very active and works out religiously. From what I have seen, she does not have any limitations when it comes to treating her patients. She utilizes our high low tables and our step stools but that is very rare. I wouldn't let your size doubt your ability to be an effective pt. There are always ways around being on the smaller side.

I pretty much fit those dimensions and I'm certainly not expecting that to be a limitation for me. I am finding, through our practicals, that sometimes my small hand size makes it difficult to do certain ROM measurements (it's almost like I need three hands) and working with large patients can be a challenge but beyond that, I agree that physical size will not matter.

 

[dizzy88]

Don't let that scare you. Yes, some things will be a little more challenging, but it's still doable. Our teachers paired up the smallest girl in our class (5'1'' 100 lbs) with the largest guy in the class (6'1'' 210 lbs) for our transfers lab just to prove the point that she could do it with proper body mechanics and we women shouldn't be intimidated by this stuff 🙂

 

[indecisive123]

Thank you, everyone!
I feel a lot better about PT now =D

 

[calamep]

i work in a clinic that has a lot of neurological patients, some of whom need physically be picked up and moved. we have a PTA who is similar to your build and she struggles with these situations but these are only a minority of the patients. dont let it stop you though, you can always get help moving patients. no one is going to think less of you for asking for help to move someone.

 

[Danae00]

There is a girl in my class who is 95 lbs soaking wet and she is fantastic. You have nothing to worry about.

 

[goyo1010]

PT is definitely feasible, but you need to be relatively strong to be able to handle patients. However, you may have a more difficult time, especially in settings such as acute care, as when I observed in this setting under a physical therapist who was only probably about 5'2" like you, had a male PTA who helping her out lifting, transferring, or moving the patient.

PT can be physically demanding, but you'll have a quite a bit of help along the way!

 

[debimags]

i work with alot of petite women in neuro in-patient rehab, and the tricks they have to lift, move, and control people of all sizes, heights and weights, is just incredible. learn them (you will in school) and you will be just fine.

 

[darkangel77]

What everyone else said! Your size won't be a problem 🙂 I'm 5'3" and 118 pounds, a little more than you, and normally I haven't had a problem moving patients in both of my clinicals. Either you get help (people are usually happy to help!) or, as a smaller person, you eventually start to devise other ways of performing transfers.

There are plenty of teachers and students that I've seen who are smaller than I am, and have no problem (my CI at my last clinic was smaller than me!).

You'll be fine 🙂