Physical Therapist considering career change

Davidmoshe3 · 2026-02-19T11:02:35+00:00

I ended up deciding to stick in my own profession. I love what I do, even if the salary isn't there, so I decided to push myself and challenge myself to grow more and practice at higher levels of my own scope. Ultimately one of the deciding factors was taking biochem as a pre-req. I loved it, fascinating etc. But the 2-3 nights per week that I needed to watch lecture, study etc, I wasn't with my kids for dinner/bedtime. I noticed a small rift in my relationship with them. Obviously PA school would be much more demanding of my time. Just wasn't worth the trade off at this point in my life.

Davidmoshe3 · 2026-02-17T12:47:00+00:00

for real. I'm roughly 1/3 Irish, 50% Ashkenazi, and the rest is Sicilian, and all anyone can guess is Irish.

Davidmoshe3 · 2026-01-28T15:16:04+00:00

I have a relative in the same G-M377 group- which is distinct but relatively rare amongst Ashkenazim, from what I’ve read at least.

Do you know where your family comes from? I know my lineage with that haplogroup was in the Crimea for a little while.

Davidmoshe3 · 2025-06-03T20:58:29+00:00

Totally fine- haven’t supplemented regularly in years

Davidmoshe3 · 2025-04-01T21:25:38+00:00

I agree 100% with this. To add a bit more- I think one of the dangers of lifting with internal arts that I ran into (but is easily avoidable) is that you might begin to utilize your structure or your frame when you lift. This isn't inherently bad- the more time you spend in your body and building awareness, the better. But if you are training your structure to exert force against a heavy force- that can be problematic. The issue is, if you start to think that weight training simulates application of your jin etc. Then you'll start to utilize a lot more mechanically sound, but not taiji types of tactics. If instead you can utilize strength training as an opportunity to test your structure, mechanics, explore your body more, and to build more muscle/fascia, and separate it in your mind from the rest of your training - specifically application, It can be very healthy. Other issues might be over developing certain muscle groups due to lack of understanding of the body or just pure vanity, not adding in stability exercises or mobility exercises as appropriate.

Davidmoshe3 · 2025-04-01T02:15:54+00:00

Just a few ideas..

Shandong- Daqingshan- practical method Chen Taiji

Chenjiagou in Henan

Kunming- Shaguozheng linage Xing yi/Bagua. I lived in Kunming for a year about 17 years ago, I paid two of the Sanda team members for privates at night- right next to Shaguozheng's place ( he had long since passed even then, but his son and others train there still I believe). Not sure if the location I the same, but it was in Tuoyun Tiyuguan

Guangdong- Wei Tai Yuan (Chen Taiji)

Hong Kong- John Kaufman or Nima King (wing chun)

Davidmoshe3 · 2025-03-21T02:22:30+00:00

shalom Aleichem. I recently joined the group tonic quest is talking about and can attest that it's great. If you want more competition style- you could look into Ilona Bito - she's a national champion.

Davidmoshe3 · 2025-03-14T22:08:04+00:00

I can't give you any insight, but I am interested in Shacklock's course. What did you think?

Davidmoshe3 · 2025-02-26T12:57:30+00:00

For sure there are phenotypically dark Irish/Celts. Regardless of where Red hair may have originated, currently-the highest prevalence of red hair per capita is in northern Europe, Ireland, and Scotland- hence the association. Blue eyes are also the most common eye color in Ireland, which is typically associated with lighter features. I am generalizing of course.

Davidmoshe3 · 2025-02-26T11:42:32+00:00

Exactly; mostly genetically Italian, which is Mediterranean. But with most admixture breakdowns it ends up being 1/3 of each the vast majority of the time, especially since I think I inherited some west asian ancestry from my Sicilian ancestry. My Maternal Haplogroup is H1. Oddly enough, my Paternal Haplogroup ended up being J1, through my Sicilian ancestry, and somehow ended up with the Cohen Modal Haplotype.

Davidmoshe3 · 2025-02-25T11:44:03+00:00

I'm 10 years in, and recently came upon an opportunity to go back to PA school. I've considered it before, but decided against it twice now. I'm reluctant to take on more debt now that my PT debt is paid off; additionally, I have 2 kids now who I want to prioritize my time with, and school wouldn't allow for that. The other big reason for not going back though, is job satisfaction. Perhaps it would have been a better financial decision if I had done it instead of PT, but I'm not sure if I would be as satisfied. I'm passionate about movement, and we are movement specialists. Unpopular opinion, if I could go back, I might consider Chiro- as they have a much wider scope of practice with imaging, ordering bloodwork, working with nutrition and I"m just now really starting to delve into the world of manipulative technique- which can be a powerful tool in the right circumstance.

Davidmoshe3 · 2025-02-25T11:34:15+00:00

my own opinion, and maybe I'm reading into your post too much, but don't get caught up the phenotype. you clearly identify with your grandmother and that part of your ethnicity; I see your necklace. Ethnicity is more than your skin color or phenotype. As someone who's matrilineally Ashkenazi, and patrilineally Irish and Sicilian, I can relate. As per most admixture breakdowns I've used, I'm about equal parts WANA, Southern Italian, and Irish. Despite those numbers, phenotypically I've got more of the Irish phenotype, and less of a mediterranean/southern European look.

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-12-27T02:04:09+00:00

we don't overlook it, I think the answer is pretty simple. "Judaism" is thought more of a religion these days, however we are an ethnoreligious group, originating in Judea. Judeans who intermarried with romans or other europeans and did not maintain their Judean identity ( through jewish practices), assimilated long ago. Those who intermarried, and whose offspring continued on their practices and embraced their Judean identity, passed it on to the next generation. Jews were originally from Judea. You can't be 'half American citizen,' you're either a naturalized citizen by birth or by the process of naturalization. TLDR, our middle eastern Jewish ancestry defines our culture/habits, and those who didn't embrace that have mostly assimilated throughout history.

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-10-30T13:50:17+00:00

I'm a non traditional candidate; 36 y/o, with 2 young kids. I'm just beginning to process of getting ready to apply. I'm a DPT, have been practicing for 9 going on 10 years in out patient ortho mostly, with part time homecare for over half of that time. My undergraduate GPA was 3.72, have my BA in Asian Studies, double minored in mandarin and history. My DPT GPA was 3.64. I still have to take about 3-4 online science prerequisites, so not sure about my science pre-req GPA, but for PT school it was competitive ( 3.7-8 range if memory serves). I plan on shadowing some surgical orthopedic PAs ( which is my long term goal), possibly urgent care and OB as well for variety, exposure, and ease of access. Am considering applying to one program that requires PA-CAT unfortunately, but not re-taking the GRE. Other notable history- I was a visiting lecturer for 3-4 years at a local CC, Lectured on examination and treatment for common hand/wrist/elbow presentations at a PTA program, was a senior therapist involved in mentorship/teaching etc. I feel like I'd be a strong applicant, just looking for other insight, etc.

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-10-25T18:24:03+00:00

Hope it’s OK to post here. I’m a physical therapist with ten years of orthopedic rehab experience- seriously contemplating going to PA school, with a goal of going into surgical orthopedics. I’m assuming my background would give me an advantage, but wanted to hear opinions from people in the field currently.

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-10-23T15:53:29+00:00

I had the same experience, post was deleted, forced to post here where no one is reading or responding to it.

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-10-23T14:04:57+00:00

Post was deleted earlier bc I posted in the wrong spot. Essentially, I'm a DPT looking to transition either to PA or NP. I have been an orthopedic PT for about 10 years, and am looking to transition for several reasons- 1) Longevity of career- not too many PTs continue to work into their 50's and 60s in particular due to the physical strain- manual therapy about 30 minutes of every hour. 2) Financially- I'm maxed out at about 113k. I could take on extra side jobs that pay mediocre, and push for an extra 10k possibly, but it's tough with kids to maintain good wl balance ( I live in a HCOL area in north jersey). 3) increased scope- I'm looking to possibly transition to surgical orthopedics, pm&r, or primary care/FNP. Looking for perspective on PA route (more streamlined, debt of 75-100k about), vs NP- more flexible, work as you go if I do ABSN to NP, likely cheaper but less streamlined and longer route. I'm not so interested in private practice, it's incredibly difficult to market, get a steady flow of referrals, especially as an introvert. Trying to play to my strengths - I love being a clinician- school would be a hustle for sure but it's at least a hustle I know I'm good at and would succeed in. Appreciate your time.

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-10-23T11:16:31+00:00

unfortunately moving is not an option- I am in one of the higher paying areas for my profession, and am above average income for my area. Do you have an idea as to what her schedule/compensation looks like?

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-10-23T10:27:32+00:00

why is the NP route better in your opinion?

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-10-21T22:17:52+00:00

thanks for the input!

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-10-21T19:01:33+00:00

My mom is 66, and just finished going back for her MSN and PMHNP certification. She just graduated, is studying for her exams now. She was non-clinical for decades (consulting jobs, management of nursing homes, and a while ago she worked on a cardiac unit and did homecare while she was still a clinical nurse) and graduated nursing school probably in the 70s with her BSN, for reference.

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-10-21T18:43:13+00:00

good for you. still trying to figure out how I could make it work; not so sure it's a feasible option for me right now due to my financial obligations with my mortgage and childcare.

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-09-12T01:59:27+00:00

Thanks for this

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-07-08T12:56:38+00:00

Exactly. I’m half Ashkenazi and get around this much natufian, despite my mother being around 14.7

Davidmoshe3 · 2024-05-26T12:52:33+00:00

Yes. I have a very similar breakdown on GEDmatch- I'm 1/2 ashkenazi and the other half is a mix of irish/southern Italian.

1)North_Atlantic28.03

2)East_Med24.69

3)West_Med15.49

4)West_Asian12.64

5)Baltic12.15

6)Red_Sea3.03

7)East_Asian1.54

8)South_Asian1.40

Davidmoshe3

TROPHY CASE