Career in Physiotherapy

What: The history of Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy can be traced back to ancient Greece in the era of Hippocrates. Considered one of the oldest methods to cure various physical ailments, physiotherapy has evolved from simple massage to a complex assortment of therapies – now, it has multiple and specialized applications. Making a career in Physiotherapy is a wise decision as the scope it covers is widening up and expected to offer numerous job options.

Physiotherapy is a type of medical science which is used to improve movement dysfunctions, to promote the functions of human body and optimal health. Physiotherapy is an important part of Rehabilitation dedicated to minimize disability among people. Physiotherapy is mainly recommended for the physically challenged people, the people suffering from degenerative disorders like arthritis, neurological disorders and sports persons. It is one of the rapidly growing areas of medicine that involves heat radiations, massages, tractions, hydrotherapy and short wave diathermy (SWD)

A graduate in Physiotherapy earns around Rs. 5,000 to 20,000 per month. However, the package differs from one company to the other. Higher remuneration can be expected with practice and experience.

How: As a Physiotherapist, you can have ample job opportunities in nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, homes and private offices like private clinics etc. In addition to that, you can also work at an out-patient clinic, community healthcare centre, fitness centre, health club, primary healthcare centre, occupational healthcare centre, senior citizen centre or special school. Notwithstanding, physiotherapists have bright job prospects in sports centres, NGOs and colleges too. Some of the top notch recruiters for Physiotherapists include Talwalkars Pantaloon, HelpAge India, Hosmat Hospital,

A Physiotherapist should have personal qualities like tolerance, compassion, ability to work independently or in a team, excellent time management skills, interest in people, good communication skills, patience and empathy, physical fitness and good general health, problem solving skills, responsible and mature attitude towards the needs of patients.

Physiotherapy requires hard work and perseverance. It is a profession concerned with the health and well-being of patients. Anyone adopting for career in Physiotherapy must be able to encourage, reassure and persuade patients of the ultimate benefits of their treatment.

Anyone seeking admission in Physiotherapy must have completed 17 years of age and passed the 10+2 or equivalent examination, with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English are eligible to apply for Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) course. Eligibility for Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) course is 50 % marks in BPT with completion of six months internship. Study of Masters Course is related with research work, so one should have interest in such dedicated work.

Where: Health education and the prevention of injury and illness are becoming increasingly important. One example of this aspect of work is teaching relaxation techniques to expectant mothers and developing exercise programmes to help them regain muscle control/strength after giving birth. Prenatal and postnatal exercises are very beneficial for a woman during maternity period. Physiotherapists help and treat people of all ages with physical problems caused by illness, accident or ageing.

Institutions:

• National Institute of Rehabilitation Training & Research-Cuttack
• National Institute for the Orthopedically Handicapped -Calcutta.
• Institute of Physically Handicapped, 4 Vishnu Digamber Marg, New Delhi.
• College of Physiotherapy, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Research, Chandigarh.
• Department of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar