Physical Therapy Business Tips
January 7, 2025
Most physical therapy trends come and go, but some can change the outlook of the field entirely. Because many physical therapists aren’t tuned into the current trends of the physical therapy profession, they end up missing out on important insights and opportunities that can create defining moments in a career.
But don’t let that stress you out, because we’re going to cover some of the most important physical therapy trends to know about, why they’re important, and how they could play into the future of the physical therapy profession for new grads and veteran clinicians alike.
Let’s get started!
Most of today’s biggest physical therapy trends make use of new and old physiotherapy technology to enhance patient care in and out of the clinic, including aquatic therapy, telehealth, wearable tech, robotics and sensors, artificial intelligence models, and gamification for patients of all ages.
Okay, now let’s dive into some of the trends that are making therapy more accessible, effective, and tailored forpatients.
Aquatic therapy is a form of physical therapy that involves doing exercise and other activities in a pool with special equipment. The main reason aquatic therapy is popular is because it helps people who have a hard time exercising against gravity, benefiting from buoyancy changes in the pool.
Although it’s the oldest of the physical therapy trends on our list, aquatic therapy stays relevant in the PT world and continues to introduce new trends. For example, underwater treadmills are a popular tool for helping athletes transition from sports injuries or surgery to running again.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed many things for the physical therapy world, including bending the boundaries ofhow physical therapy can be delivered to patients. Telehealth physical therapy essentially means delivering PT through video calls, but the lasting popularity of this tool shows just how much potential it has for the profession.
The biggest use case for telehealth in PT is hybrid care, which gives therapists the flexibility to see their patients virtually on a semi-regular basis. For example, patients who can only commute once per week, have busy work schedules, or who are sick can all benefit from seeing their therapist virtually to supplement their in-clinic care.
As one of the fastest-growing physical therapy trends, wearable technology like smart watches, smart rings, and heart rate monitors are quickly finding their way into conventional PT care and home care for millions of people.
Wearables are especially helpful for patients who are getting hybrid or virtual care through telehealth or a patient care app, helping the patient and their therapist monitor important pieces of information like heart rate, calories burned, and sleep quality to guide sessions and home program performance.
More robust technology like robotics and sensors also play a big role in modern physical therapy trends. Devices such as movement sensors play a big role in helping exercise technique with hybrid care, but can also be used to help patients work on things like their posture while at work.
Advanced hardware also has its place in modern PT, with wearable devices and prosthetics helping those with limb loss or disabilities regain their mobility and enjoy a higher quality of life. Although more niche than many of the other trends, this area of physical therapy is advancing rapidly.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has grown exponentially in the past few years alone, and it’s not slowing down. Most physical therapists have had some experience with new technology like ChatGPT by now, but did you know that (AI) is quickly making its way into patient care?
New AI-driven software for physical therapists is released every week. From documentation tools, to patient care assistance, to motion analysis, AI is changing the way that physical therapists practice in and out of the clinic. While there are ongoing legal and ethical discussions the best use of AI in patient care, the future of this tech is looking very strong.
As the barriers between virtual and reality get thinner, new technology like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are driving several physical therapy trends around gamification - turning certain elements of physical therapy into a game for easier and more effective care.
While there are very few commercial applications of gamification in PT to date, new softwares designed for pain management, guided exercise, and neuromuscular reeducation are in the works and should be a major focus point for therapists in the coming years.
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The physical therapy profession is expected to grow in the future, with employment growth of 14 percent from 2023 to 2033, or about 13,600 openings for physical therapists each year for the next decade. PTs who take advantage of trends in the field can enjoy a thriving professional life.
With the demand for physical therapy constantly growing and the career outlook for physical therapists seeming strong, one of the most common goals for traditional and trend-bending physical therapists alike is to open their own clinic. However, this is often easier said than done.
Opening a successful physical therapy clinic can be entirely achievable with the right plan. Some of the most important steps to consider are developing a marketing strategy, purchasing the right equipment, hiring your staff, using physical therapy software, and building a healthy client base.
While trying to perfect all of these things at once can be overwhelming, taking them on one at a time can bring your clinic to new heights.
Most physical therapists aren’t trained in sales and marketing in school, which makes opening a clinic difficult for most. However, developing a physical therapy marketing plan doesn’t need to be complicated and can often be achieved by only learning a few new skills.
Learning how to optimize your business visibility with tools like Google My Business, local ads, and social media can be more than enough to build your brand and your client base. The hardest part is starting, so start now!
Overspending on equipment can hurt the bottom line of your clinic, so it’s best to hone in on who your patient population is and what the minimum amount of equipment needed for their physical therapy services. For example, if you’re planning on working with runners, a treadmill may be the most expensive piece of equipment you’ll ever need!
Hiring staff is often thought of as the last step for a successful and growing clinic, but it may come into play earlier than you think. For example, hiring a front office manager or a physical therapy tech can free up your time to focus on other business needs such as networking, marketing, and growth strategy.
Hired staff can also be external to your clinic, so don’t be afraid to outsource the parts of your business that you aren’t good at or don’t enjoy. There are plenty of skilled freelancers who can help you create business plans and build your brand, and many of them are affordable.
The right physical therapy software can make or break the success of your clinic, so you’ll want to spend some time choosing the one that works best for your needs. Most physical therapy clinic owners prefer a user-friendly and balanced physical therapy software that prioritizes simple charting, easy scheduling, and reliable billing.
ClinicSense is a physical therapy practice management software that offers physical therapists starting their own clinic the tools they need to treat efficiently, manage their schedules, protect revenue, and promote growth.
Knowing how to get physical therapy clients is more of an art form than a science, but when you combine the above steps with a strong marketing plan, smart networking and referral sourcing, and great patient care that inspires your clients to refer others to your clinic, things are likely to fall into place for the future of your clinic.
Keeping up with physical therapy trends can be a constant effort, but keeping an open mind to what’s out there can help you stay sharp and benefit from new opportunities. CEUs for physical therapists are a great place to start, and you may even be inspired to invest your time into a new physical therapy specialty that keeps your passion going strong.
Whether you’re a trend-obsessed physical therapist or a clinic owner looking to build a brighter future, you can get a free trial of ClinicSense now to start exploring new opportunities for yourself and your patients.
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