Monday, May 4, 2009

what is physiotherapy or physical therapy

The physiotherapy career is a healthcare profession which deals with movement disorders of the body arising from certain conditions or illnesses. Treatment through physiotherapy can also be more efficient and cheap than other traditional medication or therapy.

Usually, the person who performs physiotherapy is called a physical therapist. However, there are also other professionals who perform some physiotherapy practices, like chiropractors or caregivers. The physiotherapy career is very broad and has various classifications. Examples of these classifications are psychological sickness, physical rehabilitation, occupational health, and care for the aging.

Individuals in the physiotherapy career study their patient's history and physical condition in dealing with the movement disorders. The physiotherapy career combines understanding, expertise and methodology to handle certain physical problems of the patient. Physiotherapists trace the roots of these physical problems to certain conditions of particular parts of the human body such as the brain, nervous system, soft tissues, joints, bones, heart or lungs. People in the physiotherapy career are usually associated with other health care professionals. When patients have movement disorders, they are usually advised by their physicians to consult a physiotherapist. Today, the growth of the physiotherapy career can be seen by the increasing number of people who proceeds directly to a physiotherapist without being advised first by their doctors. The physiotherapy career is likewise associated with the social care industry.

The physiotherapy career has many opportunities. Those in the physiotherapy career can practice in different places. They can practice their profession in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, offices, factories, fitness centers, sports facilities and even the homes of patients. They can be employed by healthcare companies and they can likewise be self-employed professionals.

To begin a physiotherapy career, one must first obtain a degree from an accredited physiotherapy program in their country. The courses taken can include certain sciences such as anatomy, biology, neurology, physiology, pathology, psychology and biomechanics. Physiotherapy education is given through classroom lectures, hands-on learning, practical exercises, are laboratory work. Usually, students are also given a minimum requirement of clinical hours for the program. The requirements for studying physiotherapy will depend on the legal requirements for practicing physiotherapy in every country. There are some countries which require a bachelor's degree before getting into a physiotherapy program. In some countries, it is also required that they pass a national licensing examination before practicing physiotherapy. The physiotherapy career is devoted to lifetime education. Physiotherapists must continue to improve and hone their skills through mandatory continuous learning through education and work experience.


Without a doubt, physiotherapy requires hard work and perseverance. It is a profession concerned with the health and well-being of patients. Being an occupation dealing with healthcare, the profession itself is associated with the public interest. It is highly ideal that physiotherapy continues to grow and evolve. This can be done through intensive research and of course, through continuous promotion of the physiotherapy career. This type of service is full of opportunities and the benefits can be very rewarding. People interested will find that a physiotherapy career can be rich with knowledge and application.