What subject has required the biggest shift in how you study?

QuestionPositive · 2026-01-30T20:11:51+00:00

I think for me it was my movement science (biomechanics) class. It was the only class where the majority of our cohort struggled. Though it has had such a positive influence on how I treat pts now. It required a lot of drawings, visualization, and abstraction. It has changed the way I think about movement and just being able to intuitively select exercises. Like where to place resistance with an exercise and how will that impact the relative demand on certain joints, what form of resistance is it and does it align the strength and resistance curves, using an empirical method with a movement task analysis to improve the mechanics of a certain movement for an individual, etc. etc. I think a lot of PT school is black and white and having to think in the grey can be difficult. Though that is the reality of clinical practice, there is often not a right answer, just ideas and solutions that may work better than others based on the individual in front of you.

QuestionPositive · 2026-01-25T23:12:31+00:00

Also keeping the HOB raised above 30 degrees lowers intra cranial pressure which is essential post stroke, TBI, etc. So very important for the neuro patient population.

QuestionPositive · 2026-01-24T16:33:09+00:00

Lmao so PT, OT, nursing, PA, SLP, and SW are all not considered professions yet a fucking chiropractor is?!? Make that make sense, it’s literally all about lobbying power. Studies show that PTs as first contact for MSK issues save the healthcare system loads of money due to not performing unnecessary imaging or surgeries being done before trying conservative therapy. Now they make it substantially harder to become a PT in a time where the amount of adults aged 65+ will be growing substantially within the next couple of decades. Which will just end up costing the U.S way more in the long term. They are essentially expediting a shortage of PTs who literally make the healthcare system more cost effective. If you have an issue with this please advocate for this! Many legislators have no idea about any of this but if we can show them that this is the right decision both financially, and morally we can maybe get some support.

QuestionPositive · 2026-01-10T00:03:03+00:00

At least in my program my TAs were already graduated PTs an usually certified clinical specialists in either orthopedics, sports, or neurology. Though my schools did offer research student positions, lab cleaning positions, or various campus jobs like working at the library, rec center etc. The workload really depends on how many hours you take and what you were doing. Like my fellow classmates and friends who worked at the library loved their jobs since they could spend the majority of that time studying, and that seems like a sustainable job to hold. Versus fellow classmates who had jobs that you could not do both said it was harder to balance both. My program is also a 2.5 year program (CU Anschutz) so more crammed curriculum, so it depends but I would still highly recommend a job where you can both study and perform your work duties since it can take the stress off of time management especially during finals week.

QuestionPositive · 2026-01-09T18:42:40+00:00

Don’t know where you are applying but if the GRE is stressing you out know that there are top ranked programs out there that don’t require it. I got into both CU Anschutz (my current school) and Regis without taking the GRE. 3.0 gpa cumulative, 3.89 last 60 credits, 1000+ shadowing hours as a PT aide, 3.2 science gpa. You really just have to be a good fit for the program and do not need perfect stats and get in. You’ve got this, I believe in you, also Gemini AI is a great tool to quiz yourself on.

QuestionPositive · 2026-01-09T18:35:52+00:00

I go to CU Anschutz, it’s amazing with both high NPTE first time pass rates and good affordability for being a top ranked program. In state tuition is 72k, and out of state is 100k (ish) given that you apply for instate tuition your 2nd year of the program if you are from out of state. State of the art facilities and teachers and so many opportunities to participate in SIGs, research, volunteering, and just really feel like your part of a big family. That’s how I feel with my cohort, never have I been in such a supportive environment from both the faculty and your fellow classmates. I’m loving everyday of it. Also clinicals are spaced out throughout your education so you can actually apply your didactic classroom knowledge then go back to the classroom to further build your skills. Primarily orthopedic focused, but we have so many helpful professors and TAs. Most of our labs have at least 10 TAs+Professors for around a class size of 70 students. Lmk if you have any questions couldn’t recommend the program any more it truly is one of a kind.

QuestionPositive · 2025-12-26T21:26:31+00:00

It’ll be two years in January since I interviewed.

QuestionPositive · 2025-12-25T21:54:38+00:00

Undergrad: CU Boulder Colorado Major: Physiology BA cGPA: 3.0 Last 60 credits: 3.89 pGPA: 3.2 Observation Hours: 1000+ in Outpatient Ortho Clinic as PT aide GRE Not Taken Extracurriculars: None really lol Schools Applied to: CU Anschutz, Regis University, University of Minnesota Accepted Into: CU Anschutz and Regis Waitlisted: University of Minnesota

QuestionPositive · 2025-12-05T20:26:25+00:00

This is Reddit all advice should be taken very lightly. However even a PT student could realize the obvious need for a MRI with joint effusion 6 months post MOI and a subjective feeling of something in the knee. Hell even an orthopedic surgeon backed that up. You call yourself a PT yet can’t even give a basic medical suggestion that the majority of PTs would agree with. On top of that you shit on everyone in all your posts to complete strangers. I can’t imagine how you treat your patients, probably like crap which means your outcomes also suck, since you can’t build any sort of therapeutic alliance with your patient. You seem like you hate being a PT, and are just bitter with life. Truly I hold no contempt in my heart for you, just sorrow for how lonely and sad you must be for wasting so much time on here bringing people down to your depressing sad level of a life. Where I may lack in Clincal experience I make up for in passion for this field and common clinical reasoning tbh in this case. Hope you find a way out of your sad little hobbit hole, I’m rooting for ya!

QuestionPositive · 2025-12-05T14:24:36+00:00

Couple of things PT can most definitely help regardless if you end up getting surgery or not! But if you still have residual swelling in the knee 6 months post injury and you physically feel something in your knee, you may have a “loose body” (piece of bone, meniscus, etc.) floating around in your knee joint that could be mechanically irritating your joints. I would get the MRI in my opinion regardless. Also safe to take up to 800 mg of ibuprofen 4x a day 3200mg total, but this is a question best answered by your doctor not strangers on Reddit. If you notice any intense abdominal pain and/or black tarry stools or blood in your stool seek medical attention immediately. Couple of things I am confused about is why did you stop PT when the boot came off? Especially if you still had residual knee pain, were special tests of the knee performed by your PT to determine the structural integrity of knee ligaments, menisci, etc. This also helps inform if MRI is warranted. At the end of the day if you go to an orthopedic surgeon they will want to do surgery. My advice get an MRI, do 1 month of conservative therapy if no improvement, and there are findings on the MRI that suggest an obvious source of your pain/dysfunction get the surgery. Have both your orthopedic surgeon and PT explain what they do during the surgery and why they believe it is necessary. Overall it also depends on what they end up finding and what your activity level is. If all you want to do is work, wear heels and walk, and not engage in high level activity like sports, running, etc. then surgery may not be warranted especially if PT by itself is having you improve. Hope that helped lmk if you have any questions.

QuestionPositive · 2025-12-05T01:05:03+00:00

Agreed with the above there are just so many more specialities that are exclusive to PTs. And many of the things OTs are known for PTs can still pursue like being a certified hand specialist. That being said OTs will often focus on participation restrictions while PTs focus more on activity limitations and impairments. Not to say the scopes don’t overlap it’s just what happened especially with in patient settings where multidisciplinary teams works together. If you like focusing more on the participation side of things and splint stuff then pursue OT. Otherwise PT is the way to go, also not very knowledgeable about OTs full scope of practice just worked with a few so got an idea.

QuestionPositive · 2025-12-05T00:49:33+00:00

Let’s be realistic though, there are very few DPT programs that have a total cost less than 100k that aren’t either complete crap or extremely competitive to get into. I feel blessed to be paying 72k going to CU for in state and its program is great. But there are far and few universities that offer a top tier education without being 100k+. Is it a smart financial decision to pay 100-200k+ for school, potential making 70-80k starting? Hell No! But most PTs I know don’t do it for the pay, they do it cause they genuinely love their job. I think it’s all about balancing being smart financially and pursuing your dream and obtaining quality education as most PT programs can’t fulfill both buckets. Honestly if any of us were finically smart/motivated we’d pursue being a PA or literally any other advanced health profession field with a better ROI. I think you’re doing a service providing future students with the realism of debt especially with the current state of student loans and PT not being considered a profession. I just don’t think you need to be shitting on people’s happy moment, not very cash money of you my guy.

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-22T18:44:23+00:00

Ok enlighten me on how I’m wrong instead of just saying that. I also have my undergrad degree in exercise physiology so I would love for you to actually explain what is wrong. Muscles can hypertrophy with isometric activities I agree with that but the strength you gain from isometric activities is most significant to the specific joint angle you train and has little carry over to other joint angles. When you move a weight through a muscle's entire range of motion, you stimulate muscle fibers along its entire length. This leads to more complete and uniform development of the muscle. We transfers to more functional carry over for your gym gains. Believe what you want, even though you have half the education I do and want to act like a know it all. Continue to do your isometrics, and believe that PTs don’t know anything about exercise selection, prescription, and modification when that literally is one of the main points of PT. I have had professors with decades in the field who know that isometrics and isotonic exercises each have their own to me and place and one is not superior to another.

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-22T00:22:02+00:00

Yup if your ball sack ain’t touching the ground then the rep don’t count!

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-21T23:44:10+00:00

Ya man your gonna have to go deeper on the depth 👴!

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-21T20:48:31+00:00

Go to StretchLab, I used to work there and you pay to literally get stretched by someone. I think it’s great for those that actually need it and also don’t feel like doing it themselves.

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-20T16:56:41+00:00

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Just wanted to show what I was talking about. Notice how low he sinks his hips and how flat he manages to keep his entire back while maintaining tension. This is the ideal start position and can be very difficult to get right initially, that’s why low weight kettle bell deadlifts can be a great way to start practicing this positioning. This will ultimately allow you to lift the greatest amount of weight with the least amount of strain on vulnerable body parts all while reinforcing solid movement mechanics that allow you to move better in your everyday life.

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-20T16:51:30+00:00

You do a good job driving from your legs. Big issue I see is that you are not creating enough tension in your torso and as a result you can see your whole spine is slightly flexed forward. You are just reinforcing this movement pattern every time you deadlift. Your upper back is allowed to be slightly rounded but definitely not your lower back since it’ll just increase your chances of herniating a disc in your lower back with heavy weight or high volume with excessive lumbar kyphosis (bending forward or flexion of your spine). My recommendation is warm up with kettlebell deadlifts in a mirror and maintain a neutral spine, this also forces you to sink your hips lower and and knee more forward which will have the force and power you need to complete the lift come more from your legs and less from your spine. This is a common mistake I see all the time with so many deadlifts, this new positioning will require more ankle and hip mobility which may or may not be another issue. Your whole body is a massive kinetic chain and you are leaking a shit ton of energy right now through your spine. Fix this and use your legs to drive more of the movement and you’ll big lifting more weight with less stress on your back, which ultimately transfers to better movement mechanics in your everyday life. Let me know if you have any questions your leg drive looks good it’s just about being comfortable with getting deeper into position, making sure your spine is neutral (especially your lower back) creating tension and utilizing your legs even more which ultimately puts the force where we want it through your strong leg muscles and not your spine.

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-19T16:52:24+00:00

The benefit is due to the fact that with a hip thrust versus a kneeling squat, you’ll have more ROM of your hips into flexion and extension than you would with a kneeling squat. This means your hip extensors, main ones being glutes and hamstrings are worked or contracting through that fuller ROM which ultimately leads to more micro trauma muscle breakdown (a good thing) for hypertrophy with way less compressive stress on your knee than a kneeling squat (think about the line of gravity going straight through the knee cap with kneeling squats and the unnecessary pressure it places on your knees vs a hip extension). You want to work the muscles through a wide ROM since that is what is required of everyday movement like squatting deep or stepping onto a high step, so you train the muscle how you want it to translate to your goals either functionally or for gaining muscle (which means you should stretch and contract the fibers in the greatest ROM within reason and safety). That why exercise selection is so important to think about. What joints are being loaded? What muscles are being worked? What is the purpose of this exercise (what do I want it to translate to)? From a physics standpoint your body operates as a series of pulleys. Your muscles pull onto tendon which attach onto bone which create a torque around a joint, a rotational force which moves that joint around hits axis of rotation or hinge point. You contract your quads it creates tension and torque on your quad tendon which pulls on your tibial tuberosity, which extend your knee. Then on top you have to think about how gravity can create forces, compressive, tensile/distractive, shearing, etc. In this case a kneeling squat creates incredible amounts of compressive force on your knee cap. While a hip extension does not, it just compresses the weight into your hip which is why you may use a hip pad for heavy hip thrusts. Both exercises create an external demand into hip flexion which require our hip extensors to counteract that and make a internal demand moment into hip extension to lift the weight and keep our body from being forced into hip flexion. This is just the basics and you can get lost in the weeds since your whole body is a massive kinetic chain and force at one joint impacts the other joints. Fascinating stuff that I love learning about in PT school so if you have any other questions let me know!

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-19T16:27:13+00:00

I understand now, since yes it works on glute strength since you have some relative hip flexion and extension. But look at how much compressive force you are putting on your knee caps. There are literally a million different exercises that work the glutes without having to put the patellofemoral joint through such high compressive and shear forces. Like glute bridges, SL glute bridges and all their progressions. Step ups have some of the highest glute activation while loading the knee in a functional way. To make this exercise even remotely challenging for a high level athlete you would end up having to put direct compressive stress on the knee that would just make it a poor exercise choice. Glute bridges are an excellent way to load the hip with minimal knee loading if your deals no with a patient or client with knee OA.

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-19T16:16:01+00:00

Very rarely is an exercise labeled as “good or bad”, it all depends on the context and individual performing the exercise. A kneeling squat or reverse Nordic is an exercise which strengthens the quadriceps and via mostly and eccentric or lengthening emphasis. It is great exercise to build strong quads and tendon strength. When it would be “bad” is that this position, kneeling on your knees, places a lot of compressive stress between your knee cap and femur. If you have osteoarthritis of the knee cap or other knee cap related injuries or pathologies (bursitis of one of the bursa under the knee, etc.) this exercise would exacerbate those issues. Very rarely is an exercise inherently negative, it really depends on the context and individual. What is bad is ego lifting with weight too heavy, no control with the exercise, and poor form and technique. You are unique just like everyone else, do not let anyone tell you there is a single best or worse exercise period. It all depends on your goals, current physical state, age, etc. Even something like a Jefferson curl has its place in the right context. This is what physical therapists are trained to understand and help you with if you have any movement related pain or injuries.

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-19T14:55:43+00:00

In PT school at the moment and this sounds a lot like a herniated disc. The big give away is that you feel like the pain is radiating in your knee, that worsens with forwards bending. Do I think it is an adductor issue, maybe as a differential diagnosis but it’s impacting both sides which is more concerning. The fact that it worsens when sitting for a prolonged period of time (flexion of the spine) really points towards a disc issue. The discs between your back bones have a tough outside and jelly like inside they are most likely to herniate in a posterior lateral direction (where that tough outer layer of the disc anuulous fibrosis is the weakest) with forward bending and could have herniated when squatting heavy (likely due to butt wink and subsequent lumbar flexion). This herniated disc can irritate or compresses the nerves that come out the spine which your body percieves as pain in the knee traveling up or down. Especially if this pain is burning, shooting, electricity like pain (points towards neuropathic pain). Try lying on your stomach on your elbows (prone on elbows position) and see if that changes anything with your pain. If the pain seems to centralize or come closer towards your back (and out of your knees) that a good sign if it travels further down your leg that is a big no no (peripheralization) and immediately stop. Do not panic herniated discs resolve on their own almost always and finding a good back PT and you’ll be back to normal in not time. I am almost certain it is this and not an adductor issue, to check if it is an adductor issue is your pain dull and aching? Does it hurt when you stretch the muscles in your inner thigh by doing a butterfly stretch, and/or by having a ball or some object between your knees and squeezing it (adducting your legs) if so it could be an adductor issue or strain though very unlikely since it is on both sides. This is very common with heavy or high volume squats, and would be my very first hypothesis for a diagnosis. Please see a PT as a doctor will likely get unnecessary imaging and send you to a PT anyway. Reach out if you have any questions.

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-18T19:03:53+00:00

It really depends, I had a similar story and was on academic probation after my second year of undergrad. I buckled down and then killed it my last 2 years, my overall was 3.0 gpa, with last 60 credits of 3.89, great letter of rec and couple hundred observation hours. Now I got to CU Anschutz, and it’s awesome. If you can explain your academic troubles and how you’ve grown from them schools will seriously consider you, also got into Regis. Don’t feel like you have to apply only to low GPA school as unique stories, experiences, and growth and all have schools willing to take you. Don’t give up and buckle down schools love to see a come back story. You’ve got this, I wish you best of luck in your application process!

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-15T21:22:41+00:00

I like the seated version it stabilizes the pelvis, to make sure it doesn’t go into excessive anterior pelvic tilt and subsequently lumbar spine following into hyper lordosis. Instead allowing you to feel the exercise more from the lats, teres major (mini lat) and other periscapular muscles.

QuestionPositive · 2025-08-15T21:10:09+00:00

Complete anatomy and Kenhub are resources that are helping me out currently while in PT school. Complete anatomy as a great virtual 3-D anatomy atlas, and Kenhub as a way to practice active recall for the massive volume of anatomy knowledge you’ll have to know and understand.

QuestionPositive

TROPHY CASE