This past week of my internship provided a comprehensive look into the daily realities of working in a physical therapy clinic. As a Cornell College student with coursework in anatomy, behavioral health & community, injury care and prevention, and research methods, I entered this experience eager to see how classroom concepts translate into patient care. I am currently interning at SAH physical therapy in Chicago, IL. This is an outpatient clinic with physical and occupational therapy along with speech pathology. The reason I chose this clinic is because it is close to home and I was also once a patient here!
This is a picture of the steps used to help patients practice those motions along with heatpacks sation.
From my first day, I was welcomed into the clinic and introduced to both physical and occupational therapists. I was touring the clinic and speaking with therapists about my academic background. I’ve taken on small responsibilities, such as wiping down treatment tables and organizing equipment, which reinforced the importance of maintaining a safe and professional environment for patients. This week, I have learned different ways to palpate for different neck, hip, knee, and ankle injuries. Along with this, I have learned how to perform and adjust different exercises and stretches for patient needs. They were showing me how to use the genometeror to test for different ranges of motion. Thanks to Cornell, I felt prepared when the therapist was asking me anatomy questions.
Thanks to this internship, I feel reassured in wanting to become a physical therapist. Hearing personal experiences from the PT’s has really opened my eyes to what I would like to specialize in and the type of work setting I want. I see physical therapy now from both perspectives, having gone to therapy myself and now shadowing. Outside of patient care I have been asking questions to my colleagues about their experience in undergrad, physical therapy school, and being a fresh new physical therapist. One of the most valuable aspects of this week was seeing how much of my coursework directly applies to clinical practice. While observing evaluations and treatments, I frequently connected what I was seeing to my anatomy and injury care and prevention classes. Therapists explained injuries using terminology I was already familiar with, such as ligaments, joints, swelling, and range of motion, which made the learning experience feel both accessible and exciting.
I had the opportunity to observe patients recovering from various conditions, including wrist injuries, post-surgical ankle rehabilitation, and fractures. Watching a post-surgical ankle patient work through swelling, redness, and sensitivity to texture helped me understand how gradual exposure and desensitization are key components of recovery. These moments emphasized that healing is not just physical, but also neurological and psychological.
This picture was taken in front of a SAH Physical Therapy sign with Nicole Cook, a Cornell College Alumni.
I have lived in Chicago my whole life but I have rarely ever been around this neighborhood. During my breaks I walk around and see new food spots to try out! I'm living at home and taking the bus to work. I would say that post-undergrad I would like to live in Chicago at home and attend PT school here.