Changing from PT to ???

[tutugirl]

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Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has changed from studying to be a PT into something else and if anyone has other career suggestions. I've wanted to be a PT for many years and have good GPA in all the prereqs, but don't know if I can do it physically. I was in an accident a few years ago and have a serious back problem. I went for a check up recently and my doctor thought it was a bad career choice for my situation. I'm scared to go into PT knowing it does require some lifting, but I'm having trouble finding another career I like. I'm thinking about OT, but not sure if I would be happy. Any suggestions would be appreciated, I'm feeling really depressed about this. Thanks.

 

[greco13]

OT, CHTs have a cool little niche in the rehab. science world. They're suppose to be upper extremity specialists but from what I've seen, they usually keep to the elbow and down, leaving shoulder specific stuff to PTs. Every clinic/system is different. Most of their work is done sitting at a table top working with the lower arm. ATs and PTs I've been around think what CHTs do is boring but I disagree. Getting through OT school is a different matter, though. I am sure you'll be required to do more labor intensive stuff in the curriculum/clinicals compared to what a CHT does day-to-day. You could consider speech path. or respiratory therapy, or MD/DO or PA.

 

[djb051]

It may not be this way for all outpatient orthopedic clinics, but I volunteer at an outpatient sports and orthopedic clinic, and the PTs at this clinic do not do much lifting. The stuff they do lift is not heavy. I lift all the same stuff they do and I am a very skinny lightweight girl. I think the heaviest thing that I have ever had to lift was 15 lbs, if even that. Occasionally, I do help older patients to get up off the plinths, but I do not have to put a lot of work into it to help them up.

My point is, I think it just depends on what type of setting you work in and the clinic itself. I know in other PT settings, there will probably be a lot of heavy lifting like in a lot of inpatient settings, but from my experience in outpatient, there has been mostly light lifting.

I would say volunteer in a lot of settings if you can before deciding to give up PT, if it is your dream to be a PT, because you may find a setting and place where there isn't much heavy lifting.

 

[kptnau]

Look into podiatry. The have 4 years of school, easy to get into (once you do the prereqs), average $200,000 a year, and they don't do heavy lifting. there's a 3 year residency and more tuition but it could work out.

 

[tutugirl]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I have made arrangements to observe a CHT to see if it is something I would enjoy. Keep the suggestions coming...I appreciate it so much.

 

[jesspt]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has changed from studying to be a PT into something else and if anyone has other career suggestions. I've wanted to be a PT for many years and have good GPA in all the prereqs, but don't know if I can do it physically. I was in an accident a few years ago and have a serious back problem. I went for a check up recently and my doctor thought it was a bad career choice for my situation. I'm scared to go into PT knowing it does require some lifting, but I'm having trouble finding another career I like. I'm thinking about OT, but not sure if I would be happy. Any suggestions would be appreciated, I'm feeling really depressed about this. Thanks.

Define "serious back problem." Do you have chronic low back pain? Intermittent? Or an episode of low back pain after your accident with some associated imaging which shows some pathology?

I work in outpatient, and occasionally have to lift a leg, but typically the heaviest thing I lift all day is a lap top.

 

[tutugirl]

I had severe scoliosis growing up, but it improved as I aged and I was able to do sports and dance and lots of physical activities. When I was in an accident the tests afterward showed 3 cervical herniations and 3 lumbar herniations with bad spinal stenosis. I always have a little pain, but manageable. I take really good care of myself and try not to sit for long periods of time. Lifting is the thing that causes the most pain. When it's bad ,it's really bad and it is really difficult for me to move at all.

Of course, PT has always been my first choice even though doctors suggested other professions. I observed an OT this week and sadly she did a lot of patient transfers, which is probably out of the question for me. Any other suggestions?

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Look into podiatry. The have 4 years of school, easy to get into (once you do the prereqs), average $200,000 a year, and they don't do heavy lifting. there's a 3 year residency and more tuition but it could work out.

👍👍👍👍👍

 

[Temperature101]

Look into podiatry. The have 4 years of school, easy to get into (once you do the prereqs), average $200,000 a year, and they don't do heavy lifting. there's a 3 year residency and more tuition but it could work out.

Bad advice...Podiatrists do complicated foot surgery, which means they have to stand on their feet for long period of time. That might be an issue for someone who has back problem... As far as the 'easinest' to get into podiatry school...That might be true when you compare it to the admission standard of MD/DO schools...I dont know if it easier than PT because the admission criteria are different in term of prereqs and standardize test.

 

[Snugglyjeff]

I have an L5-S1 mild to severe herniation. The resultant spinal stenosis is painful pretty much all the time in whatever I do. I got this while lifting too heavy at the gym. I am 23 years old. Even with this, I still want to do PT. It is painful to stand, sit, or walk for a long time but I try to push through. What Im saying is, if you have the willpower, you can do it.

 

[tutugirl]

Thanks again for your advice. I have continued shadowing professions and I keep coming back to PT. The OT's I have shadowed are amazing people and they do a great service, I just don't know if it is for me. When I watched the OT give someone a shower and do a toilet transfer, I must say it was difficult to watch. These skills are necessary, I just don't know if I would be happy being the one to teach it to other people. It's hard, because the more shadowing I do the more I want to do PT. I'm starting to think I should just take the risk and do PT. My back is going to hurt no matter what profession I am in, so maybe I should do something I really want to do.

 

[Snugglyjeff]

Thanks again for your advice. I have continued shadowing professions and I keep coming back to PT. The OT's I have shadowed are amazing people and they do a great service, I just don't know if it is for me. When I watched the OT give someone a shower and do a toilet transfer, I must say it was difficult to watch. These skills are necessary, I just don't know if I would be happy being the one to teach it to other people. It's hard, because the more shadowing I do the more I want to do PT. I'm starting to think I should just take the risk and do PT. My back is going to hurt no matter what profession I am in, so maybe I should do something I really want to do.

I have the same mentality. Its gonna hurt no matter what just atleast do what you love. But PT's have a diverse range in their field, it can be geriatrics, sports, children, etc. So you can find your comfort zone.

 

[jesspt]

Thanks again for your advice. I have continued shadowing professions and I keep coming back to PT. The OT's I have shadowed are amazing people and they do a great service, I just don't know if it is for me. When I watched the OT give someone a shower and do a toilet transfer, I must say it was difficult to watch. These skills are necessary, I just don't know if I would be happy being the one to teach it to other people. It's hard, because the more shadowing I do the more I want to do PT. I'm starting to think I should just take the risk and do PT. My back is going to hurt no matter what profession I am in, so maybe I should do something I really want to do.

Why not shadow a PT in outpatient ortho? It sounds like you'r doing all of your observation in a hosptial setting. I can't say that I think the outpatient ortho PT, or outpatient ortho/hand OT are too physically demanding.