Pro Sports Opening up New Opportunities for Physical Therapy Jobs
When you think of physical therapy jobs what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Most of us conjure up images of a hospital practice where you see patients who have had surgery, are recovering from an accident, or who have suffered strokes or other debilitating conditions. You might also think of the private practice in a large metropolitan area. But would you ever think of working at the ballpark? Not many physical therapists have thought of this avenue but for a few, it is a reality.
Physical Sports Medicine
Professional sports is big business in the United States, so much so that making it profitable for the individual athlete means he must be at the top of his game for as long as possible. In turn, this has opened the door for new training methods, exercise programs, diets, clothing, and equipment, making today’s athletes faster and stronger than they’ve ever been. Unfortunately, faster and stronger means a greater potential for serious injury. And as injuries mount there is a growing need for physical therapists in the field.
Full-Time Versus Part-Time
Although the availability of physical therapy jobs in pro sports is on the up, full-time positions are still in the minority. That’s primarily due to the fact that there are not enough athletes needing physical therapy to employ a staff therapist full-time. The one possible exception is pro football, where some of the wealthier teams do have their own full-time physical therapy staff. And you can understand why if you figure just one knee injury per week and maybe two or three season-ending injuries per season. Between all the surgeries and rehab stints football players go through, a full-time physical therapist is a huge help.
Basketball, hockey, and soccer on the other hand don’t have as high a need. Physical therapists who work in these types of sports generally work on a part-time basis. Many of them will provide services not only to a local pro team but also to various colleges and local high schools. For these physical therapists, working in the sports field is a means of supplementing their income.
Sports Physiotherapist
Major League baseball is one team sport that’s slowly warming up to the idea of having physical therapists attend pre-season workouts. That’s because it’s not uncommon for out-of-shape players to suffer at least some sort of injury during spring training. An on-staff physical therapist can help reduce recovery time and get players back on the field quicker than they otherwise would. This year there were more MLB teams bringing physical therapists in for spring training than ever before.
Job Satisfaction
For many of physical therapists, the reason for entering the field stems from a desire to help people in need. Therapist after therapist testifies that the greatest reward of their work is to help someone else walk again, learn to use damaged limbs, and so forth. But for some therapists, their desire to help those in need is combined with a passion and love for sports. Being able to practice their art in a way that benefits athletes is a dream come true.
As for the physical therapists involved in the 2011 MLB spring training, quite a number of them came to work for free. They took a leave of absence from their primary positions, using sick time and vacation time, and volunteered their services just so they could be a part of spring training. For them, it is the epitome of job satisfaction.
Not every therapist who tries will be able to make a living working with athletes, but for those who do it is the opportunity of a lifetime.