Physiotherapy (also known as Physical therapy) is defined as the assessment, evaluation, and treatment and prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction and pain resulting from injury, disease, disability, or other health related problems. A person who is engaged with these activities is known as physiotherapist.
Physiotherapy, as a profession, may briefly be defined as a science that seeks to alleviate movement dysfunction, to promote optimal health and functions of the human body. It involves the treatment of patients through exercise therapy and other therapeutic agents, including heat radiations, electricity, sound water and message, and is used to cure weak muscles, difficulties in the movement of shoulder and knee joints, paralysis, inborn and acquired deformities, gynecological ailments and other such disorders. Patients with such problems are referred by medical practitioners to physiotherapists who then take on the responsibility of restoring them to health.
A candidate aspiring for a career in physiotherapy should join Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) course offered by a number of institutions in the country. He/she should have completed 17 years of age and passed the 10+2 Science or equivalent examination, with physics, chemistry, biology and English.
Admission to BPT program is generally made on the basis of entrance examination conducted both at state and national level. Based on the performance in the test one is offered a seat in a college/institute to pursue the course. The BPT course is of 3 and ½ years – 4 and ½ years of duration. There is also a compulsory rotatory internship after the completion of the course.
One who wishes to continue his/her study further can take admission into Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) program which is of two years duration. In this case he/she should have completed BPT course from any recognized institute/university.
Employment opportunities for physiotherapists are tremendous. A physiotherapist could be employed in the rehabilitation departments of hospitals, under the central and state governments, municipal corporations and private bodies. The Institute of the Physically Handicapped, medical rehabilitation centers, health institutions and defence medical establishments are a few examples.
Physiotherapists can also make career in teaching. Those who have adequate capital can establish private clinics of their own. In India, like in other parts of the world, the demand is rapidly increasing. It is estimated that one physiotherapist is required per 10,000 people. At present there are only 5,000 qualified physiotherapists, so the demand for trained professionals can only be imagined.
Moreover, the increasingly sedentary urban lifestyles and lack of exercise brings whole gamut or body aches and pains, which requires the assistance of specialized physiotherapists. The growing awareness of the role physiotherapy can play in enabling the physically handicapped to lead productive lives has also increased the demand of trained professionals.
Physiotherapists find jobs in diverse fields; accordingly his/her salary varies. Sports Physiotherapists are paid more as compared to general physiotherapists. Those physiotherapists who are employed in hospitals get Rs 5000-7,000 per month. But there is more scope in private practice; one can earn more than Rs.1500 a day by seeing patients in his/her own clinic.
The contents are informative in nature. Candidates are advised to refer to the notice published on Official Websites of the organization(s) administering the particular Courses/Test(s) / Examination(s).
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