A Time To Heal

Even though the world considers it as the second choice for a career for medicine aspirants, Youth Inc does not as physiotherapy is fast growing as a field. This area for treatment of disability using medical knowledge combined with physical exercises is one of the most important rehabilitative services for a society. Physiotherapy provides essential support to medical treatment, especially in relation to any dysfunction of movement of any part of the body. Those working in the field endeavour to improve any such dysfunctions that patients suffer from.

Many functions are handled by the physiotherapist, including diagnosis of the problem, restoration of movement and maintenance of strength and physical functions. Patients with degenerative disorders and those physically challenged need regular physical therapy to keep on track. Even sportspersons and arthritic patients seek help from physiotherapists from time to time.

Despite what one may know or think, physiotherapists hold a very important position in the field of medicine, and they are as essential as doctors. They offer assistance in helping the patient to rehabilitate from a state of dependency on others to a state where they can be partially or fully independent. The incapacity may be may be caused by a defect at birth or may be the outcome of an accident, illness, injury or age.
Once in practice, physiotherapists must have complete knowledge of the human body, inside out, and must know a way the bones, muscles and nerves move. They are qualified to do a physical examination of the condition. Once they determine the cause of the problem, they can assess the damage and determine a rehabilitative process. After that, a suitable therapy procedure is charted out for treatment and its effectiveness is measured at regular intervals. Usually, the therapy procedure is a combination of various intervention techniques.

“Physiotherapy as a field has great potential for those who believe in giving therapy. In this day and age of high-stress lifestyles, physical disorders are often created as a result of mental pressure. Couple that with the fact that in the hectic lives that we lead, there is little time to maintain physical fitness. It results in the need for specialists to deal with problems, where trained physiotherapists can step in,” says Dr C Nanavati, a practising physiotherapist.
In modern times, when going ‘natural’ is becoming an option even in this profession, practitioners have to give a thought to this aspect.
“Those aspiring to take physiotherapy as a profession must think about the fact that this is a science that aims to heal without popping unnecessary pills. Currently, we have a large section of patients requesting that we do away with painkillers,” says consulting physiotherapist Dr Mahendra Nair.

Personality counts

You need to be extremely tolerant if you want to enter this profession since physiotherapists have to deal with those in distress and use specialised equipment in many different settings. The nature of work is such that it demands a systematic approach. Working as per the directions of doctors, keeping a record of work done and technical precision are at the heart of the profession.
Dealing with patients on personal and professional levels needs patience, an understanding attitude as well as professionalism in patient care. Many patients require a great deal of attention, not to mention cooperation, at all times from their therapists.
You also need to coordinate with other paramedical staff. So you need an understanding of people and a sympathetic approach towards the patients; a true desire to help people live as normally as possible.
While pursuing the physiotherapy course and also while in practice, analytical and logical skills, scientific reasoning and problem-solving abilities will help a lot. A capacity memorises facts and recalls them when required is one of the biggest plus points. Not to mention manual dexterity and physical stamina to work long hours. If you are one who cannot be level-headed while dealing with difficult situations, this profession may not be a good choice. Besides, you also need to sport qualities like mental strength and the ability to encourage your patients to be more confident.
“Hands play an important role. As in movement and mobilisation, we see the joint, feel the joint and then ask the patient to move the joint. With this movement, we determine why a patient feels pain and wherein lies the problem,” says Dr Neil Rajpal, a senior physiotherapist with a city hospital.

The future ahead

As mentioned earlier, the need for well-trained physiotherapists is on the rise. Then, of course, employment opportunities are great. Opportunities exist in rehabilitation departments of hospitals and private bodies. These may include special clinics, service centres, nursing homes and healing centres. Look out for openings in orthopaedic departments, rehabilitation centres for the handicapped and schools for the physically disabled. Physiotherapists can also opt for teaching, while those who can afford to put in some capital can set up private practices. Many times, practice does not even require a clinic; you can be a home-therapist who goes for sessions to the patient’s home. Physiotherapists are needed in the country as well as abroad, especially in the US, Canada and Australia. Once you add a few years of experience to your resume, you can opt for specialisation.

Earning issues

The starting pay is decent; government hospital salaries range between Rs. 8,000 and Rs. 12,000. Privately run hospitals definitely offer a higher pay packet, starting at Rs. 15,000 and going up to Rs. 20,000 per month for freshers. A few years down the line, maybe after five or six years of experience, a private practice can be set up. “A physiotherapist can earn good money nowadays. For instance, a reputed physiotherapist earns Rs. 200 to Rs. 400 per visit,” says Dr Nanavati.

In studies

While studying to be a physiotherapist, subjects that are taught are anatomy, physiology, orthopaedics, neurology, medicine, surgery and physiotherapy. It cannot be a full course until the student has also undergone practical training in a hospital department. The duration of courses in physiotherapy goes up to three to four years depending on whether you pursue a diploma or degree.
Many medical colleges conduct courses in physiotherapy and a practical internship is completed at the teaching hospitals attached to such colleges. A Rehabilitation Council has been set up by the government to train paramedical staff and to conduct rehabilitation related activities. Diploma courses are of two years’ duration while the degree courses are of four and a half years. There is a six-month practical internship so you can gain experience before you venture into the field.

Where to Study Degree Courses

The following institutions have also been recognised for degree courses and some for diploma courses in physical therapy. Duration of course: Four and a half years including six months of training at the institution after graduation.

Educational qualifications:

10+2 with physics, chemistry and biology with 50 percent and above.

Admission procedure:

Written competitive examination held along with the medical entrance examination in the respective state or merit criteria laid by the institution. (Indicative list only)

All India Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Haji Ali, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai
Lokmanya Tilak Medical College, School of Physiotherapy, Sion, Mumbai
Topiwala National Medical College AL Nair Road, Mumbai
Grant Medical College, Byculla, Mumbai
BJ Medical College, Ganesh Khind, Pune 411001
Sancheti Institute of Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation, Shivaji Nagar, Pune 411005
GS Seth Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai
Government Medical College, Physio & Occupational Therapy, Nagpur
Banarasidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy, Delhi
Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine & Allied Science, Delhi
St Joan’s College of Vocational Studies School of Physiotherapy, Delhi

Diploma course

Aligarh Muslim University, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Department of Orthopaedic surgery, Aligarh

The job responsibilities of a physiotherapist generally include:

Assessing a patient’s physical abilities and needs
Developing of a treatment plan according to the patient’s individualised needs
Implementing programmes including therapeutic exercise, manipulations, massage, education and the use of electro-therapeutic and other mechanical equipment and hydrotherapy
Providing consultation on injury prevention and health promotion