Becoming a physical therapist is quite a physical task in itself, from obtaining a physical therapy education to selecting the right physical therapy equipment and supplies for your practice. Patients in need of physical therapy may have a variety of conditions, including severe wounds, respiratory and cardiopulmonary diseases and sports injuries. Whether your patients need to break a sweat or sweat out a bad break, they are putting their recovery in your hands, and you owe it to them to have the proper physical therapy equipment and training. Whether you are interested in becoming a physical therapist or are gearing up to open your own physical therapy practice, consider the following:

1. Are you ready to put in substantial time to get the training you need from a physical therapy school?
2. What types of physical therapy equipment do you need for the area you plan to focus on?
3. Are there any additional physical therapy supplies that might be helpful to have on hand?
4. Could physical therapy software make administrative tasks easier?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look into attending physical therapy schools

If you've always had the desire to help people heal after an injury, getting a degree in physical therapy education is your first step.

I recommend: The Physical Therapy Web Space provides a list of physical therapy schools around the world that offer physical therapy education. For local physical therapy schools, enter your desired ZIP code at the Health Care School Guide or at CollegeSurfing.com.

Obtain a license to practice physical therapy

Physical therapists must be licensed by the state in order to practice physical therapy.

I recommend: For a list of state licensing authorities, visit the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Purchase reliable physical therapy equipment

Rehabilitating patients involves a wide array of physical therapy equipment, such as exercise equipment (treadmills, stationary bikes), treatment furniture (treatment tables, traction, adjustment tables) and medical devices (muscle stimulators, ultrasound devices).

I recommend: Sammons Preston has a wide selection of rehab equipment and supplies, including exercise equipment and treatment furniture. For treatment tables, traction and rehab equipment, check out the offerings at The Physical Therapy Warehouse. Amrex-Zetron specializes in electrotherapy equipment. For hydrotherapy and whirlpool equipment, visit Thera-Plus Doctors Supply.

Invest in extra physical therapy supplies

Among the many physical therapy supplies any practice requires are stability balls, exercise bands, hot and cold therapy, gels, lotions and support pillows.

I recommend: Thera-Plus Doctors Supply sells a host of physical therapy supplies, like leg and knee pillows and pain-relieving gels and lotions. Rehabilitation and physical therapy supplies, such as stability balls, resistance tubing and resistance bands are available from Power Systems.

Invest in physical therapy software

Physical therapy software can help keep your practice running smoothly by automating scheduling, billing and medical records maintenance.

I recommend: SpectraSoft's Appointments PRO is a physical therapy software program that automates scheduling, helping you check in patients and change appointments. Download a free trial. You can also request a demo of TherAssist, physical therapy software that handles scheduling, documentation and billing management. MediGraph Billing Navigator — software designed specifically for physical therapy — offers fully integrated billing, scheduling and documentation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure the physical therapy schools you consider are accredited, which can be either on the state or federal level.
• •  Physical therapy education can take several years, and obtaining a license requires a Bachelor's or Masters degree.
• •  Physical therapy needs are vast, so purchasing a wide range of physical therapy equipment and supplies can broaden your client base.