Being a physiotherapist can be a challenging but rewarding career choice, offering the opportunity to positively impact the lives of others by helping them regain physical function and mobility. 

Physiotherapists are trained to perform physical examinations and assessments to diagnose and treat physical dysfunctions. They have a range of job opportunities available, such as working in nursing homes, hospitals, health centres, polyclinics, medical colleges, research institutions, or even starting their private practice. To become a physiotherapist, individuals can pursue physiotherapy courses and degree programs. They also can work in a traditional clinic setting or provide in-home care to patients.

As a physiotherapist, you will use various techniques and modalities to help patients regain their strength, range of motion, and overall function. This may include exercises, stretches, manual therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation equipment.

Physiotherapists also work closely with other healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and occupational therapists, to develop treatment plans and monitor progress.

Overall, physiotherapy can be a rewarding and challenging career that allows you to improve the quality of life of your patients by helping them regain their physical function, independence and mobility.

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, is a healthcare profession that aims to improve the physical function, mobility, and quality of life of individuals affected by injury, illness, or disability. Physiotherapists work with patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, and with various conditions, including musculoskeletal injuries, neurological disorders, and chronic illnesses.

Physiotherapy is a dynamic and ever-evolving field. Physiologists must keep up-to-date with the latest research and best practices to provide the best possible care for their patients.

Eligibility Criteria to Pursue Physiotherapy

• Completion of secondary education with a minimum of 50-60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
• Pass an entrance examination for physiotherapy degree programs
• Completion of a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Physiotherapy from an accredited institution
• Successfully pass the licensure examination in the country where you wish to practice.

Courses in Physiotherapy

• Pediatrics Physiotherapy
• Obstetrics Physiotherapy
• Sports Physiotherapy
• Neurology Physiotherapy
• Orthopedic Physiotherapy
• Geriatrics Physiotherapy
• Post Operative Physiotherapy
• Cardiovascular Physiotherapy

Job prospects and Salary

After completing a Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy (BPT), students can continue their education and pursue advanced degrees or certifications. This can include a Master's degree in Physiotherapy, providing additional training and specialisation in a specific practice area. This can include orthopaedics, neurology, sports medicine, paediatrics, geriatrics, and many more.

Additionally, BPT graduates can explore fields such as hospital administration, business management, public health management, and other postgraduate programs. These programs can provide broader career opportunities and help graduates expand their management, leadership, and healthcare administration knowledge and skills.

This can lead to different career paths, such as hospital administration, sports management, research and academics. They can also work in private and public health sectors. They can also pursue research and teaching in physiotherapy colleges. All of this can help a physiotherapist to have a more diverse career, grow professionally and expand their knowledge in different areas.

Job Profile

Clinical physiotherapist 

This is the most common job profile for physiotherapists. They work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with physical impairments, injuries, or disabilities. They may work with patients of all ages and various conditions, such as musculoskeletal injuries, neurological disorders, and chronic diseases.

Clinical physiotherapists are also responsible for keeping detailed records of each patient's progress and adapting treatment plans. They also educate patients and their families about the nature of their condition and how to manage it effectively.

Rehabilitation physiotherapists 

These physiotherapists specialise in helping patients recover from serious injuries, illnesses or surgeries. They work in rehabilitation centres, hospitals and long-term care facilities, where they help patients regain their strength, mobility, and independence through exercise and other therapeutic techniques.

The main focus of a rehabilitation physiotherapist is to help patients regain their strength, mobility, and independence through exercise and other therapeutic techniques. They use various techniques, including strengthening exercises, range of motion exercises, gait training, and manual therapy, to help patients recover from their injuries. They also work with patients to help prevent future injuries and promote overall health and wellness.

Pediatric physiotherapists 

These physiotherapists specialise in working with infants, children, and adolescents. They help children with various conditions, such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and musculoskeletal injuries. They work in pediatric clinics, hospitals, and schools.

The main focus of a pediatric physiotherapist is to help children develop and improve their physical abilities, strength, and mobility. They use various techniques, including play-based therapy, strengthening exercises, range of motion exercises, and manual therapy, to help children recover from their conditions and reach their full potential.

Geriatric physiotherapist 

These physiotherapists specialise in working with older adults. They help patients maintain independence and mobility and manage age-related conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and balance disorders. They work in nursing homes, retirement homes, and hospitals.

Geriatric physiotherapists are crucial in helping older adults maintain their physical health and well-being. They design treatment plans to address specific needs and help seniors manage conditions that can limit their mobility and independence. They also provide education on injury prevention and fall reduction to ensure the safety of their patients. 

By promoting active ageing and encouraging seniors to remain physically active, geriatric physiotherapists help their patients lead a higher quality of life. These therapists work closely with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care and ensure positive outcomes for their patients.

Acupuncture Physiotherapist 

These physiotherapists use acupuncture techniques to help patients manage pain, inflammation, and other symptoms. They work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Acupuncture physiotherapists are specially trained to use acupuncture to treat various physical conditions. 

They employ this technique as a complementary therapy to traditional physiotherapy to help patients manage pain, reduce inflammation, and alleviate other symptoms. These therapists may work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. By utilizing a holistic approach to treatment, acupuncture physiotherapists help their patients achieve optimal physical health and wellness.

Salary

The salary for a physiotherapist in India varies depending on experience, location, and place of employment. A fresh graduate can earn between 200,000 to 500,000 rupees per annum. With experience, a physiotherapist can earn an average salary of 500,000 to 1,500,000 rupees annually. Salaries can be higher in metropolitan cities and private practices compared to rural areas and government facilities.