How Can Physiotherapy Be Considered as a Good Career Option?

A BPT or Bachelor of Physiotherapy is a degree involving the study of practices like anatomy, psychology, specific and related medical courses and physics. It also includes some practical components that require observation and help in certified medical institutions.

A certified BPT can find career opportunities in several health-related fields.

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists assist people who are afflicted by injuries, disabilities and illnesses. Physiotherapy is a health-based profession that aims at improving health problems with different organs of the body, such as Neurological (stroke, Parkinson’s); Neuromusculoskeletal (back pain, sports injuries); cardiovascular; respiratory (asthma).

The courses available are a DPT or diploma; a BPT or Bachelor’s degree; an MPT or Masters and a PhD or Doctorate.

Source: theglobeandmail.com

• They assist patients through movement, exercise, manual therapy, advice, treatment and education.
• Physiotherapists assist people in managing and preventing diseases and facilitate recovery.
• Physiotherapy helps in back pain, sudden injuries, managing long term health conditions like asthma, sporting injuries, preparing for childbirth or a sporting event, etc.

Read: The 10 Top-Paying, Most Exciting Jobs in the Medical Field

Increasing Demand for Physiotherapists

It makes sense to consider Physiotherapy as a career option due to the increasing demand. Modern society is facing a significant challenge in the case of disabilities.

• Health is the most crucial aspect of life for all of us. Physiotherapy helps in managing several systems of the body, as can be seen from above.
• There is an increasing demand for physiotherapists in the health service sector as well as the corporate world.
• All the big hospitals have physiotherapy departments, so there are plenty of job opportunities in this field.
• People of different ages need service. It is vital for recovery and rehabilitation. It forms an essential aspect of treatment in preoperative and postoperative stages.

Remember: It is important to select the right University for your BPT, to attain balanced skills and theoretical degree and launch yourself in this career.

Excellent Placement Opportunities

Remember: To be a physiotherapist, you must have completed a graduate degree and be a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from an accredited college like Manipal University. For practising, you must take the national exam and will then obtain a license.

There are various job opportunities for a BPT available in this field.

• Animal physiotherapist
• Lecturer
• General/Sports Physiotherapist
• Chiropractor
• Exercise trainer
• Osteopath
• Personal trainer

Opportunities for a Bachelor of Physiotherapy are available at:

• Hospitals and health-related organisations
• Sports Clinics
• Football clubs
• Clients’ homes
• Gyms and leisure centers
• Educational Institutions

Tip: You can also go beyond basic skills and get specialization in specialized physiotherapy practice. This can be done by practicing therapists after they meet the requirements of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

Read: 10 Nurse Essentials That Every Good Medical Worker Needs

Specialties and Varieties of Opportunities

There are several specialties that you can consider to rise higher in your career.

• Pediatrics. As a BPT, you can select Pediatrics if you love working with children and teenagers for their disorders, such as cerebral palsy, scoliosis, and so on.

Remember: You can work at schools or patients homes and rehabilitation facilities.

• Sports. This is another popular specialty that is very much in demand for a BPT. Your work will be to alleviate pain and heal injuries caused during sporting and athletic activities. These could be related to concussions, sprains in the elbow, hip, knee, shoulder and joint injuries, and so on.

Source: physiosports.in

• Women’s Issues. Physiotherapists are in demand for providing prenatal/postnatal care; female athletes; pelvic problems; osteoporosis; lymphedema amongst others.
• Elderly People. They help people with age-related problems, working with the elderly to alleviate their pain, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, joint problems, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s.
• Cardio and pulmonary specialization. This involves offering cardiac rehabilitation for those who have gone through heart attacks or have heart related and pulmonary diseases, by teaching them breathing exercises, strengthening their muscles, etc.

Warning: As a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, the job of a physiotherapist means facing challenges. It is not a typical 9 to 5 job. There are days when you may have to work longer hours while dealing with a client. You will also have to be in good physical condition, as you might have to lift patients from wheelchairs or offer manual therapies. It can be rather tough on your hands, which are the tools of the trade!

Decent Earning Potential

Being a BPT is a respectable and honorable profession, to begin with. Besides, there is a generous earning potential. This is another reason why you should consider physiotherapy as a good career option.

• The average salary is $76,000 annually or $39 per hour. An entry-level physiotherapist can earn about $15,000 a year with experienced ones making around $130,000 annually.
• According to the BLS, job prospects for physiotherapists are excellent in 2020, with the number of jobs expected to grow by 39%. More physiotherapists will be needed for services to an ageing baby-boom population.

Warning: However, the exact amount that you will be paid depends on your education levels; specialization; experience and the state of practice.

In addition to getting a job, you can also start your own private practice.

• If you have enough capital, you can start your own physiotherapy clinic and practice

Job Satisfaction

• For those who have a genuine desire to help and improve others lifestyles, it will offer great satisfaction.
• You will be respected in society for offering such a service, as it is among the noble services, such as a doctor, a teacher or a nurse.
• You will never get bored and will continue to learn something to assist others and expand your skills.

Conclusion

Physiotherapy is not just a person dressed in a tracksuit and running in a sports pitch, which is the stereotypical view involving treatment for the muscles and ligaments. It is a broader profession including specialties related to the brain, nerves, heart, lungs, pediatrics, arthritis in the elderly, treatment of amputees as well.

As a physiotherapist, you are focusing on physical health and well being, which is important for everyone. It is a service that will always remain in demand and will never go out of fashion. Physiotherapy is a necessity and not a trend, so go ahead and consider that BPT course.

All the best!