DPT Faculty on Pain Science, Clinical Excellence, and Training the Next Generation of Physical Therapists

July 23, 2026

Anthony Carroll, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT, clinical associate professor and director of admissions for the Tufts DPT-Boston program, shares insights on orthopedic physical therapy, pain science, and what makes an exceptional clinician.

Carroll sits a table with students; he is shown smiling

Few healthcare professionals understand the full continuum of physical therapy education quite like Anthony Carroll, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, FAAOMPT. As a clinical associate professor and the director of admissions for the Tufts Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Boston program, Carroll brings more than a decade of clinical education leadership and a passion for helping future physical therapists develop the skills, mindset, and curiosity needed to succeed.

A board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT), Carroll has dedicated his career to advancing physical therapy education and mentoring learners at every stage, from DPT students to residents, fellows, and practicing clinicians.

In this faculty spotlight, Carroll reflects on the injury that sparked his interest in physical therapy, the impact of pain science on modern clinical practice, and why a growth mindset may be the most important trait a future physical therapist can possess.

What inspired you to pursue a career in physical therapy, and what led you to specialize in orthopedic physical therapy and manual therapy?

"Like a lot of prospective physical therapists, my path started with an injury—a football injury in high school that required surgery and rehab. That experience planted the first seed of an idea: maybe this could be a career, not just something I went through. I started seeking out shadowing opportunities in various clinics. One clinic combined physical therapy and chiropractic care, allowing me to see the impact of hands-on treatment paired with targeted rehabilitation. That approach resonated with me and ultimately shaped the kind of clinician I wanted to become. By the time I entered PT school, I had learned about specialization pathways through an orthopedic residency, followed by a fellowship, and that discovery set my career focus in motion."

As a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, how have those experiences shaped your approach to patient care and education?

"These experiences completely shifted my perspective on both care and education. They pushed me to constantly 'think about my thinking' and to take a hard look at my own assumptions. I was fortunate to have several mentors throughout both my residency and fellowship who shaped me—not just by sharpening my skill set, but by giving me room to fail forward and learn from my mistakes. Those failures built a larger toolbox I could draw from to address patient complaints and help patients regain control over their pain."

What are some of the most important developments you've seen in the areas where you focus your clinical expertise, and do they influence the way you teach future physical therapists?

"I think the push for pain science education among physical therapists and students alike has been a welcome development in our profession. Learning how to connect with the person in front of us and understanding their pain experience and how it shapes their behavior has opened an entirely new way to approach our interventions. Shifting the focus from the source of pain to assessing the individual, in my opinion, illuminates the patient's greater needs rather than fixating on the diagnosis alone."

Having trained DPT students, residents, fellows, and practicing clinicians throughout your career, what qualities do you believe distinguish exceptional physical therapists?

"At its foundation, exceptional physical therapists are grounded in a growth mindset. They've learned the value of failing in pursuit of learning, and that through effort and perseverance, they can continually show up as better therapists for their patients. Not only do they welcome feedback, but they actively seek it out. The antithesis of this is a fixed mindset—avoiding challenges, and either ignoring feedback or taking it as a personal attack. Alongside a growth mindset comes vulnerability and the confidence to ask questions. By avoiding hubris, a growth-mindset therapist is always seeking out learning opportunities, from other therapists and patients alike. Patients are an excellent source of learning when we take the time to self-reflect and think about our thinking."

What advice would you give prospective DPT students who are interested in orthopedic physical therapy, sports rehabilitation, or manual therapy?

"My best advice is to go shadow therapists at various clinics. See what their clinical life is really like, and make sure it's the pathway that lights your fire. You're looking to build a lifelong career, so taking the time to determine if it's exactly what you see yourself doing is incredibly valuable. Once you've decided, start networking—with professors in the program, with adjunct faculty who are clinicians from all over the country, and by joining the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Membership gives you access to various orthopedic communities. My favorites being the Pain and Spine communities. Also, if it's an option for you, consider attending the Combined Sections Meeting. Besides some great talks, it's a perfect atmosphere for networking."

Department:

Rehabilitation Sciences

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