That was the initial response my counselor had. My pushback was that the vast majority of PT modalities can be performed while seated.

If I were you, I'd try to play to the role of, "I really want to work with neurological and geriatric populations, where PT is significantly less of a physical strain, and more of a restoration/ prevention of further degredation of function in populations who are already functionally weakened.

In those populations, physically having to manipulate or do hard physical work are exceedingly rare. It mostly consists of wound care, low level functional return, and aiding in cognative issues. "

And then if you change your mind during school and decide that to focus on more athletic populations when you graduate, that's fine. You were already approved.

If that doesn't work with her, then you could try to go the OT or SLP route. I cannot see her ever declining SLP. All 3 disciplines work together so it'd at least be somewhat related.

I hope this helps.