To make a long story short, my dad was a PTA from the early 90's (a few years before i was born, I'm not sure exactly) up until Covid hit.

 He got sick of the job after 20-something years and Covid was the last straw. Got a CDL and drove a truck for a few years. Unfortunately, his driving skills have remained exactly as atrocious as I remember from when I was a kid.

 Hit a few too many things trying to back. Even nearly hit me on my motorcycle because he hadn't quite figured out what off-tracking was after a full year of driving a semi. And now nobody wants to hire him. Frankly, after seeing how he drives I'm surprised he's even managed to survive, let alone last for nearly 3 years on the job.

 He's a bit on the broke side now and if he can't find another truck driving job (More likely than not. Even if somebody sees what he's done and still wants to hire him, their insurance probably won't let them take him onboard. Liability and all that.) then moving back to physical therapy is most likely what he's gonna do. Probably for the best, he seemed much better at it and happier too.

 So, onto what I'm actually here for. I know that he's let his license (certifications?) laspe for 3 years now. From what I understand, he'll need to undergo 120 hours of retraining (40 for each year it's been let go) to get that back in order to be employed as a PTA again. 

 Problem is, if this is what he does then I'll be the one paying for him to attend whatever training or certification couses he needs to attend. I make $80k doing what I do and I don't have many fixed expenses. I doubt I'll have too much trouble supporting him, but I feel it would be unwise to jump right in without knowing how much it's going to take from me. I do need to build a living for myself first and foremost, no matter how much I want to help my dad.

 I can't find any resources online that can tell me exactly what's needed and what it would cost (I think it could be done mostly online for a flat rate somewhere in the range of a couple thousand?). So if somebody here could at least point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it.

 Also, I've been looking at job openings on Indeed just to try to get an idea if there's even any work in the field. One thing that stuck out to me is just the sheer amount places are offering for a physical therapist. $60/hr at the very least and upwards of $100/hr if he were willing to move to a big city.

 I know that PTAs don't generally transition to becoming PTs. But just out of curiosity, since I would be paying for it and supporting him in the meantime and all that, what would be needed and how long would that take? (He's 58 by the way. A decade of higher education probably isn't in his deck of cards cards and it definitely isn't in my wallet.) Would his decades of experience as a PTA be relevant? 

 My dad's done a lot for me, and I feel like I owe him quite a bit for putting up with me and my bullshit for 24 years. Even if he's been an asshole at times. If I can help him get his old career or something similar back, then I feel like I'll have repaid him a big chunk of that.

 Thanks.

There are some stretching exercises that you can do to help your knee and they include Not moving your knee can cause it to stiffen, and this may worsen the pain and make it harder to go about your daily activities.   

LEG LIFTS

• Lie down on the floor with the back flat.
• Keep the left leg straight and bend the right leg slightly at the knee, bringing the foot closer to the body.
• Bring the lower back down against the floor to help provide extra support during the exercise. Place a hand beneath the lower back to make sure that there is no space between the small of the back and the floor. If there is space for the hand, gently push the lower back down on top of the hand.
• Slowly lift the left leg without bending the knee. Keep the toes pointed toward the ceiling.
• Hold the left leg up for 5 seconds.
• Slowly lower the leg back down to the floor. Do not put it down too quickly or let it drop.
• Repeat two more times with the same leg.
• Switch sides and repeat.

WALL SQUATS

• Stand with your back and hips flat against a wall.
• Step both feet out about 24 inches away from the wall, while keeping the back and shoulders against it. Keep the feet no more than hip-width apart.
• Slide the back down the wall slowly until the body is just above a normal sitting position.
• Hold for 5 seconds and then slide back up.
• Repeat.

STEP EXERCISES

• Use a large, sturdy stool for this exercise
• Step up onto the stool with the right foot and allow the left foot to follow behind. The left foot should not be on the stool but should hang behind it.
• Keep your body weight on the right foot and hold for up to 5 seconds.
• Slowly lower the left foot down and then follow it with the right foot.
• Switch legs, stepping up with the left foot first.
• Repeat.

TOE TOUCHES

• With the feet close together, slowly bend over at the hips and extend the arms downward. Keep the legs straight but do not lock the knees.
• Reach the fingers to the top of the toes and hold for 30 seconds.
• Initially, it may not be possible to reach the toes. In this case, try to get the fingers as close as possible to the toes without causing pain.

Always reach out to your doctor or Physical therapist before starting any exercise.  

Here are some simple shoulder exercises to help relieve pain and tightness. These lengthening and strengthening exercises will also improve flexibility, increase your range of motion, and bring greater comfort and ease to your movements. 

ACROSS THE CHEST STRETCH

• Bring your right arm across your chest.
• Place it in the crease of your left elbow or use your left hand to support your arm.
• Hold this position for up to 1 minute.
• Repeat on the opposite side.
• Do each side 3–5 times.

NECK RELEASE

Neck Release is a good and gentle way to loosen tension in your back and shoulder. This is one of my favorite shoulder exercises to relieve Tightness, you should try it out.

• Lower your chin toward your chest. You’ll feel a stretch along the back of your neck.
• Gently tilt your head to the left to stretch your right shoulder.
• Hold this position for up to 1 minute.
• Repeat on the opposite side.
• Do each side 3–5 times.   

CHEST EXPANSION

Chest Expansion is like breathing in heavily and out but during chest expansion, you're not doing any breathing in or out rather you're using your chest, shoulder, neck, and arms. 

•  While standing, hold both hands behind your back or you can use a band or towel.
•  Expand your chest as your move your shoulder blades towards each other.
•  Lift your chin and look up toward the ceiling.
•  Hold for up to 30 seconds.
•  Repeat 3–5 times.

SHOULDER CIRCLES

This exercise is good for warming up your shoulder joints and increasing flexibility.

• Stand with your left hand on the back of a chair. 
• Allow your right hand to hang down.
• Circle your right hand 5 times in each direction.
• Repeat on the opposite side.
• Do this 2–3 times per day.

In addition to doing these exercises, you can prevent shoulder pain by following a few simple tips and guidelines:

• Practice good posture and avoid slouching or hunching over while sitting, standing, and doing your daily activities.
• Pay attention to how you’re carrying your body throughout the day and make adjustments as necessary.
• Get plenty of rest and take time off from any activity that causes pain.

See a doctor or Physical Therapist if you cannot move your shoulders or if your pain worsens or doesn’t improve after a few weeks of treatment. You should also see a doctor immediately if you have severe pain in both shoulders or both thighs or you have a fever.

New sights, smells, and conversations can refreshingly stimulate your senses. Traveling to places close to home that you've never explored like museums, art galleries, and historical guide points can give you a renewed perspective on your life. The feeling of these new places and sightseeing can help you recuperate quickly and get you back right on track.

There are a lot of things to see or do while on Travel Therapy, you can go to the Museum, the Beach, lakes, rivers, and creeks. All these places are natural habitats that can help you get better. 

You can use these tips to continue your Physical Therapy even while on vacation, you need to ensure that while getting Travel Therapy, you don't take a step backward with your Physical Therapy, they go hand in hand. These tips will allow you to continue with some level of therapy, no matter where you are 

• Stay Stretched Out.
• Walk long distances instead of ordering a cab when going sightseeing.
• Get accommodation that has Wi-Fi to enable you to stay connected
• Eat a Balanced Diet and avoid fast food.
• Drink Enough Water. Stay Hydrated.
• Stay in touch with your Physical Therapist.

Ensure you discuss with your Physical Therapist before embarking on Travel Therapy, they will give you the appropriate advice on how to proceed and what to expect as you embark on this journey.

Have you tried Travel Therapy or it's something you would like to try to improve your health?  let us discuss this in the comment section.      

Pediatric Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to helping children reach their highest level of independence within their environment.  The program is designed for anyone 21 years of age or younger with impaired developmental conditions. 

Physical therapy may be used to further develop motor skills such as sitting, crawling, walking, or balancing.  Other issues that may be addressed are a loss of range of motion, flexibility, or strength, possibly due to injury, illness, or surgery.  Physical therapists with special training in pediatric medical conditions will evaluate a patient’s specific needs and design a unique program to address functional deficits.

Pediatric physical therapy sessions should look and feel like play. PTs engage kids with fun, age-appropriate games and activities to keep them motivated and happy. Kids should have fun while undergoing physical therapy sessions.

Pediatric Physical Therapy can help with the following and more

• Recovery from sports and non-sports-related injuries.
• Delays in development, such as a child who should be walking or sitting. 
• Not hitting the milestones for their age. 
• Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome.
• Muscle weakness or imbalances.
• Poor coordination or motor planning which is the ability to think of and carry out a motor act, such as writing with a pencil.
• Nerve/muscle conditions, such as cerebral palsy. 

If you have concerns about your child's development and you think they could benefit from Physical therapy, make sure to talk to your health care provider, they will direct you to the right Physical Therapist.